During May of each year, I always try to pay recognition to the superlative run of shows the band played during May of 1977. This year as most of you probably know, the organization has finally decided to release a box set of some of these shows.. While I do not generally play shows that have been officially released, I've decided to feature one of these shows that is going to be released this week. For the true collector, this won't dissuade them from purchasing what looks like a beautiful collection. For those of us who can't afford the price tag, it gives you another opportunity to listen to what is clearly one of the high water marks in the history of the Grateful Dead. 

This show comes from May 17th, 1977, and was performed in Tuscaloosa Alabama.. I think its a fine example of the virtuosity of the period. Certainly the band played a smooth, flowing style that nevertheless expressed the power of the genre flawlessly. It was certainly different than what came before and what came after.. but that what makes this process worthwhile.