Unfortunately, the Cornell Daily Sun stopped publishing on Friday, May 6, 1977, because the academic year ended around that time. The Sun published two concert previews in the Friday issue, but since there was no issue after the concert (until the next year), the only contemporary review that appeared was in the local newspaper, the Ithaca Journal, it is reprinted in its entirety below. . . .
'Dead' still strong

Loyal Grateful Dead fans waited through pouring rain Sunday evening to view an American rock institution.

MUSIC

A Barton Hall capacity crowd of close to 9,000 greeted the Grateful Dead in their only Upstate appearance, as the Dead mixed tunes from their latest release "Terrapin Station" with only a few of their classics from the past decade. The Frisco group proved they were still going strong.

Making a tribute to Mother's Day, the Grateful Dead played "Mama Tried," one of their nostalgic favorites.

The highlight of the evening came near the end of the first session when they played their 20-minute rendition of "Dancing in the Streets,' bringing the crowd to a peak.

• • •

Barton Hall, never known for its ideal acoustics, was managed well by the Dead's self-designed sound system. With a few initial adjustments, the sound was well balanced. But as the standing-room-only crowd gravitated to the stage, it became an endurance contest for even the most loyal Dead Head.

Upon their return to the stage following a lengthy intermission, the group pleaded with the audience to move back.

The Dead kept to their solidly-patterned style with the ever dominate guitar of Jerry Garcia carrying songs on for 20 minutes. Garcia's mastery of the guitar, while amazing, approached monotony by the latter half of the concert.

Bob Weir and Jerry Garcia alternated lead vocal throughout the night, with Donna Godchau [sic] adding harmonies.

A symbol of the Grateful Dead's "boogie" showed up in the encore with "One More Saturday Night," proving the group's ability to bring the crowd to a foot-stomping, hand-clapping climax after three hours of loud music, thick smoke and a full house.

New songs were in the same vein as past work: good sound with only minor new innovations in the tunes. The new album sounds good and is worthy of replacing that old Dead album that's worn out.

--MARY SUMA

[PHOTO: Jerry playing guitar, a bearded Bobby, singing, Phil in background looking down at his bass, and Donna, looking at Weir and Garcia. Caption: "The Grateful Dead: Jerry Garcia (left) Bob Weir and Donna Godchau [sic]. Photo by Jon Reis.] 1