[1][2] The album features the January 1976 to August 1977 lineup of the Jerry Garcia Band, with Jerry Garcia on guitar and vocals, Keith Godchaux on keyboards, Donna Jean Godchaux on vocals, John Kahn on bass, and Ron Tutt on drums.

In Relix Larson Sutton wrote, "Even though the 17th installment of the GarciaLive series breaks a bit from most of the others in the terrific ongoing chain of archival sets – as it is a compilation of cuts from several shows rather than a singular, complete performance – its chosen tracks and sequencing approximate well a Jerry Garcia Band '76 concert.

And with the standout version of "Mighty High" closing the three-disc volume, it is one not to be missed.

"[3] In Glide Magazine Doug Collette said, "Jerry Garcia must've been happy to just play music come fall of 1976.

At least that would seem to be the case, judging from the seeming inexhaustible string of ideas he issues forth with his guitar (plus his strong, pliant vocals) during the approximately two and half hours of music on GarciaLive Volume 17.