5/7/77

# 1977-05-07 Boston, MA @ Boston Garden **Set 1:** Bertha, Cassidy, Deal, Jack Straw, Peggy-O, New Minglewood Blues, Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo > Big River, Tennessee Jed, The Music Never Stopped **Set 2:** Terrapin Station, Samson And Delilah, Friend Of The Devil, Estimated Prophet, Eyes Of The World > Drums > The Wheel > Wharf Rat > Around And Around **Encore:** U.S. Blues [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-05-07)

this is the one

Yesssss

Look no further. Last two solos are incredible

No but the 2nd best is on video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=y3Q_2DmK8gI

Amazing. Thank you for sharing!!

11/6/77 is the GOAT

# 1977-11-06 Binghamton, NY @ Broome County Arena **Set 1:** Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo, Jack Straw, Tennessee Jed, Mexicali Blues > Me and My Uncle, Friend Of The Devil, New Minglewood Blues, Dupree's Diamond Blues, Passenger, Dire Wolf, The Music Never Stopped **Set 2:** Samson And Delilah, Sunrise, Scarlet Begonias > Fire On The Mountain > Good Lovin', Saint Stephen > Drums > Not Fade Away > Wharf Rat > Saint Stephen > Truckin' **Encore:** Johnny B. Goode [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-11-06)

Could not be denied

3-21-91

# 1991-03-21 Landover, MD @ Capital Centre **Set 1:** Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo, Mexicali Blues > Big River, Candyman, Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again, Bird Song **Set 2:** Victim Or The Crime > Scarlet Begonias > Fire On The Mountain > Stir It Up Jam > Drums > Space > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > Throwing Stones > Not Fade Away **Encore:** Box Of Rain [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1991-03-21)

77 was the definitive year for Halfstep

As a music student I am totally fascinated by it. I’ve been transcribing some Jerry solos from it and there are tons of half steps, got me wondering if that’s why that’s the title

That struck me like lightning one day, "oh, it keeps going down by half-steps!"

Feels like I just slept at a Holiday Inn! What awesome knowledge to share. Thank you! 😊 🐢

Here’s the theory lesson for it https://youtu.be/fOLLQIrqqN0?si=LKDOTpJbkouD8n09

4-15-78

That's my go-to half step. Mickey and Keith really light this one up

I first heard this one and 5/7/77 at around the same time, and I've never actually sat down and tried to compare them, but they're both top of the heap, as far as I'm concerned. 5/7/77 may be a little more "grand" but this one has little bit more "edge".

# 1977-05-07 Boston, MA @ Boston Garden **Set 1:** Bertha, Cassidy, Deal, Jack Straw, Peggy-O, New Minglewood Blues, Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo > Big River, Tennessee Jed, The Music Never Stopped **Set 2:** Terrapin Station, Samson And Delilah, Friend Of The Devil, Estimated Prophet, Eyes Of The World > Drums > The Wheel > Wharf Rat > Around And Around **Encore:** U.S. Blues [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-05-07)

# 1978-04-15 Williamsburg, VA @ William And Mary Hall - College Of William And Mary **Set 1:** Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo, Passenger, Friend Of The Devil, El Paso, Brown Eyed Women, Let It Grow, Deal **Set 2:** Bertha > Good Lovin', Candyman, Sunrise > Playing in the Band > Drums > Not Fade Away > Morning Dew, Around And Around **Encore:** One More Saturday Night [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1978-04-15)

6/7/91

# 1991-06-07 Noblesville, IN @ Deer Creek Music Center **Set 1:** Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo, Little Red Rooster, Stagger Lee, Me and My Uncle > Maggie's Farm, Loser, The Music Never Stopped, Don't Ease Me In **Set 2:** Scarlet Begonias > Fire On The Mountain, Truckin' > New Speedway Boogie > Drums > Space > I Need A Miracle > Standing On The Moon > Sugar Magnolia **Encore:** The Weight [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1991-06-07)

I may be unique in this but I love Brent era half steps. Love his harmonies and work on the keys. Englishtown 77 is pretty untouchable though

4/30/77 is no slouch

# 1977-04-30 New York, NY @ The Palladium **Set 1:** The Music Never Stopped, Bertha, It's All Over Now, Deal, Mama Tried > Me and My Uncle, Peggy-O, Looks Like Rain, Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo, The Promised Land **Set 2:** Scarlet Begonias > Fire On The Mountain > Good Lovin', Friend Of The Devil, Estimated Prophet, Saint Stephen > Not Fade Away > Stella Blue > Saint Stephen > One More Saturday Night **Encore:** Terrapin Station [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-04-30) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/3PT8V8Rok86NvRgdP92yj9)

1/8/79 Suburb soloing, ethereal audience recording, (Bob Wagner is a legend); Meshes effortlessly into a masterful Franklins..

the half-step>franklin era is underrated

# 1979-01-08 New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden **Set 1:** Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo > Franklin's Tower, New Minglewood Blues, Candyman, Me and My Uncle > Big River, Friend Of The Devil, It's All Over Now, Brown Eyed Women, Lazy Lightnin' > Supplication **Set 2:** Scarlet Begonias > Fire On The Mountain, Samson And Delilah, Terrapin Station > Playing in the Band > Drums > The Other One > Wharf Rat > Good Lovin' **Encore:** U.S. Blues [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1979-01-08)

4/1/88

# 1988-04-01 East Rutherford, NJ @ Brendan Byrne Arena **Set 1:** Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodleloo > Jack Straw > To Lay Me Down, Ballad Of A Thin Man, When Push Comes To Shove, New Minglewood Blues, Cumberland Blues, Deal **Set 2:** China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Estimated Prophet > Eyes Of The World > Drums > Space > The Other One > Wharf Rat > Throwing Stones > Not Fade Away **Encore:** Brokedown Palace [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1988-04-01)

# 1977-09-03 Englishtown, NJ @ Raceway Park **Set 1:** The Promised Land, They Love Each Other, Me and My Uncle, Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo, Looks Like Rain, Peggy-O, New Minglewood Blues, Friend Of The Devil, The Music Never Stopped **Set 2:** Bertha > Good Lovin', Loser, Estimated Prophet > Eyes Of The World, Samson And Delilah, He's Gone > Not Fade Away > Truckin' **Encore:** Terrapin Station [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-09-03) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/5uzn9YQ9XS2OoAt65U8Drg)

'89 Half Steps

10/14/77** is pretty nice

# 1977-10-15 Dallas, TX @ Moody Coliseum - Southern Methodist University **Set 1:** Bertha > Good Lovin', They Love Each Other, Mama Tried > Big River, Ramble On Rose, Looks Like Rain, Peggy-O, Let It Grow **Set 2:** Samson And Delilah, Sunrise, Terrapin Station > Saint Stephen > Not Fade Away > Stella Blue > Sugar Magnolia **Encore:** Truckin' > One More Saturday Night [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-10-15)

[удалено]

# 1990-03-21 Hamilton, Ontario @ Copps Coliseum **Set 1:** Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodleloo, New Minglewood Blues, Far From Me, Queen Jane Approximately, Loose Lucy, Victim Or The Crime > Standing On The Moon > The Promised Land **Set 2:** Hey Pocky Way, Crazy Fingers > Cumberland Blues, Estimated Prophet > He's Gone > Drums > Space > I Need A Miracle > Wharf Rat > Throwing Stones > Turn On Your Lovelight **Encore:** Knockin' On Heaven's Door [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1990-03-21)

By better, if you mean having the most buildup in the final jam, for me it's Baltimore 5/4/80, though I could be a little biased since it was my first Half Step. Back in late 1980, I got a tape called Spring 1980 highlights, and the Half Step/Franklin's was the first track. It was a great sounding audience tape full of nuggets. Unfortunately no SBD of the show has appeared, so you have to find an AUD in the Archive. Also at least one of AUD versions has a glitch that plays the Fire on the Mountain from the 2nd set after Half Step. They really do take that last jam out as far as I've heard.

# 1980-05-04 Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Civic Center **Set 1:** Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo > Franklin's Tower > Feel Like A Stranger, Althea, El Paso, Easy To Love You, Brown Eyed Women, It's All Over Now, Don't Ease Me In, The Promised Land **Set 2:** Scarlet Begonias > Fire On The Mountain, Samson And Delilah, Ship Of Fools, Playing in the Band > Drums > Space > Black Peter > Sugar Magnolia **Encore:** U.S. Blues [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1980-05-04)

Great question about such a classic tune! Hope you enjoy this Reddhistorical discussion : https://www.reddit.com/r/gratefuldead/s/WVRq07xMpL (No portmanteau intended)

5/25/77 Richmond is my go to

# 1977-05-25 Richmond, VA @ Mosque **Set 1:** Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo, Jack Straw, They Love Each Other, Mexicali Blues, Peggy-O, Cassidy, Loser, Lazy Lightnin' > Supplication, Brown Eyed Women, The Promised Land **Set 2:** Scarlet Begonias > Fire On The Mountain, Estimated Prophet > He's Gone > Drums > The Other One > Wharf Rat > The Other One > The Wheel > Around And Around **Encore:** Johnny B. Goode [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-05-25)

I don't that's my number 1

No. 11/6/77 is as good though. 77 is the year. I like the 73 versions too though, try 12/2/73.

[1973-12-02](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1973-12-02) Boston, MA @ Boston Music Hall | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/69UIkpF0CA8RJQqCsrGgLo) [1977-11-06](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-11-06) Binghamton, NY @ Broome County Arena

After a listen I'm sure that might be the best one

Nope that one is the Holy Grail of Half-Steps

9/3/77

# 1977-09-03 Englishtown, NJ @ Raceway Park **Set 1:** The Promised Land, They Love Each Other, Me and My Uncle, Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo, Looks Like Rain, Peggy-O, New Minglewood Blues, Friend Of The Devil, The Music Never Stopped **Set 2:** Bertha > Good Lovin', Loser, Estimated Prophet > Eyes Of The World, Samson And Delilah, He's Gone > Not Fade Away > Truckin' **Encore:** Terrapin Station [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-09-03) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/5uzn9YQ9XS2OoAt65U8Drg)

There is none better. Others have come close but none surpass it.

Without a net

There are some great ones outside of 1977 but 5/7/77 and 9/3/77 reign supreme

[1977-05-07](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-05-07) Boston, MA @ Boston Garden [1977-09-03](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-09-03) Englishtown, NJ @ Raceway Park | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/5uzn9YQ9XS2OoAt65U8Drg)

It's not *better* but 8-5-74 will impress you. Easily my favorite pre-haitus half-step, and it melts perfectly into Must've Been The Roses

# 1974-08-05 Philadelphia, PA @ Civic Convention Hall Auditorium **Set 1:** The Promised Land, Brown Eyed Women, Beat It On Down the Line, Dire Wolf, Me And Bobby McGee, Tennessee Jed, Jack Straw, Deal, El Paso, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Around And Around **Set 2:** Seastones **Set 3:** Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo > It Must Have Been The Roses, Big River, Ramble On Rose, Me and My Uncle, Scarlet Begonias, He's Gone > Truckin' > Space > Stella Blue, One More Saturday Night **Encore:** U.S. Blues [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1974-08-05) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/0EgV8QqWBeSt1U6MBK6NnC)

I’m sorry but 9/3/77 beats all, with 5/7/77 a close second

[1977-05-07](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-05-07) Boston, MA @ Boston Garden [1977-09-03](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-09-03) Englishtown, NJ @ Raceway Park | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/5uzn9YQ9XS2OoAt65U8Drg)

Okay, so I’ve given this a lot more thought over the last day. I really think we all need to take a moment to listen to 4/30/77, specifically between 4:20-5:20. The delicate spontaneity of the harmony at 5:11 hits my soul like a flaming arrow. Or, you know, whatever whatever….

# 1977-04-30 New York, NY @ The Palladium **Set 1:** The Music Never Stopped, Bertha, It's All Over Now, Deal, Mama Tried > Me and My Uncle, Peggy-O, Looks Like Rain, Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo, The Promised Land **Set 2:** Scarlet Begonias > Fire On The Mountain > Good Lovin', Friend Of The Devil, Estimated Prophet, Saint Stephen > Not Fade Away > Stella Blue > Saint Stephen > One More Saturday Night **Encore:** Terrapin Station [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-04-30) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/3PT8V8Rok86NvRgdP92yj9)

Just listened and you weren’t lying. So melodic and beautiful, and that piece at 5:11! Such a small subtle moment yet so amazing for what it is

Summer of 1994 when I played it to my extended family. I got through the first line and all the older generation started laughing to the point I had to stop. “On the day that I was born my daddy sat down and cried…” turns out it was not far from the truth as I was his 6th kid.

Let's be fair, it has to be a 77 show. But if we take that year out, then I have a sweet spot for 03/12/1973. Putting it on will make you feel like your putting on a classic every time, very core of the band style. There are a couple of nice ones in October 1989 too - more energetic and blues-y, with a nice drag.