One thing I love about the Dead from this period is that they are continually trying out new stuff before they're even ready to make anything official out of it. Bobby was already playing around with what would become the opening notes of Weather Report Suite Prelude in 1971. They started jamming on Uncle John's in late '69 before actually introducing the song. The Philo Stomp in '72 Dark Star became the, uh, whatever that jam is called in the China>Rider transition of '73-'74 (I call it the Joy Jam), changing key and context in the process.

And here, after an already very complex Dark Star, Jerry starts trying out the chord progressions of what would become the transition from Help on the Way into Slipknot, before either of those songs are released on album or even officially played live. I guess it isn't the first time he did it, either. Just slips into it in that Dark Star jam. It's wonderful stuff. Wonderful enough to give this show 5 stars even with the lack of secondary jams (only WRS and Scarlet qualify), though Jack Straw should be checked out. Although short, it is of blazing intensity like the best 80's versions.

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Hi,
I have this show. Would you like me to send it to you electronically?
my email is ryannatural at gmail

Does anyone know how I can download this show? I've looked in iTunes, emailed this website, checked on nugs.net, etc etc. No luck. Its what was playing the night my son was born six weeks ago so it'd be great to have a copy of my own for him. Thanks for any pointers!

That's exactly why I'm here!

Does anyone know if they ever did another DS--Slip--Stella?

My most vivid memory if this show was finding our seats just as Bobby belted out the first verse of Me & My Uncle. I attended the show south my uncle and this was my first show! Good times!!!

Kinda surprised that no one has mentioned this absolutely insane Let It Grow, it's a must hear version! Jerome is on fire!!!

There seems to be a special energy about this night, can't tell if its the tapes, the playing, or both, but I dig it a lot. Jack Straw and Row Jimmy are exquisite; they are just ripping hard on all the "little" tunes. And the Dark Star, well no complaints there either ;)

I attended this show, and over 100 more after it. My recollections: The hall was cavernous and totally dark when we arrived. Some seven or eight of us were seated on stage left, about halfway up and halfway back. The music had already started, but all we could hear was swirling noise. Garcia had shaved his beard, cut his hair, and lost about fifty pounds, and that fact, combined with not being able to hear, meant we did not even know if it was actually the Dead onstage. The people seated next to us thought we were watching Quicksilver, who did not play that night. Anyway, the sound gradually improved, and by the cowboy tunes, was excellent, but by the time 'Row Jimmy'was playing, it became staggering, otherworldly, and totally liquid. Seastones played between sets, arching up the effects and quality even more. During the break, I heard something like incredibly beautiful birds twittering in the rafters, and as the lights came up for the second set, I realized it was Garcia playing solo facing his amps. Amazing. I had never heard 'Scarlet' before that night, but I can tell you this, halfway through it I got 'shown the light' in one of the 'strangest of places.' Before or since, I've NEVER witnessed a performance or sound system like that. The Wall of Sound was flat-out the finest use of electricity I've ever witnessed. In fact, I've been attempting to replicate that moment for decades. I get close sometimes with my own system now, but that night made me a Deadhead 4 ever. I am so Grateful to be able to listen back to the shows I attended. How lucky can you be? My appraisal of the show as it stacks up to others; 3 stars. In my personal hit parade? 5 stars+. If I can ever get my time machine working, you will know where to find me.

Read Styrofoam Cueball's review. He nailed it.

Sorta disappointing there is no Phil & Ned on this stream. I am rather fond of the Seastone segments during this era. Nun the less, this is adequate.

Just left this DSO show. It was wonderful. :)

I was first attracted to this particular show because of the unusual set list, featuring many personal faves. I wouldn't say this is one for the ages, but it is a fun show. Highlights include a very tight Brown-Eyed Women, Jerry singing "Come Back Trippin' Like To Walk On Air" in Row Jimmy (instead of the usual "Come Back Steppin'), and a very nice Jack Straw, with Phil kind of taking over both vocally and bassically.

The "Dark Star Theme" (as I like to call it when not a word of my fave Hunter lyric is sung) is very mell-low, in the 70's fashion. I really like Keith's electric piano sound (and his ideas) on this Star; Mydland should have taken lessons from this on how to get a good tone. The "Slipknot" jam at the end of DS is fun, they're kind of doing it as an Irish Jig, rather than the more familiar rhythm we hear on Blues For Allah.

The Stella Blue is a bit goofy, a word I never thought I'd use to describe a song that usually gives me chills and/or tears. This version though...strange! Right after the "See Them Shine, Shine!" Jerry starts playing the end chords. That pretty much stops everyone dead except Billy who keeps time. Finally, Jerry starts the last verse and everyone drops back into place instantly. I think this is the only version with this weird false ending...?

UJB is a great call, but there seems to be some strenuous disagreement between Jerry, Phil and Bobby as to which words should be sung where! Wrapping up with a very sweet U.S. Blues and an absolutely stunning Ship Of Fools encore (a rare call), featuring extra-elaborate and wonderful vocals. Overall, a very unusual show and a treat.

Soundwise, there's a little distortion during One More Saturday Night and U.S. Blues, but other than that, no static at all...and no jarring cuts, either. An almost perfect SBD, I'd say...

Setlist - 5 stars
Sound - 5 stars
Performance - 4 stars

Majority rules: 5 stars! ;-)

5 stars for the Dark Star>Slipknot!.... nice stand alone scarlet, UJB, the whole run at the end is sweet, and i like the ship of fools as an encore...

they saved pretty much all the jamming for the DS, 4 stars for the rest of the show -- sounds good for 74 too.... (NOT a wall of sound sound)

From Scarlet to the closer a great display of tunes with a fabulous delivery, especially the slipknot during the spacey Dark Star. GREAT AUD recording to boot!

To me, this is the last really incredible Star of the 70s. This particular version really stands out due to some sick, twisty interplay that builds up to a wonderful Slipknot tease. Well done all around -- this whole show is superb versions of every song

Exsactly why I love 74.....just an amazing display of DEADNESS.......Wow Turn it UP man.......thank you boys.....

Capital Centre is the pick of the litter in this tour but this one is really great as well. Love the Slipknot jam in Dark Star...

Ok so i was browsing thru the deadbase when i saw something that sparked interest . I looked it up on the archive here - and i looked at this show. Luckily it has a good rating so im thinkin - awesome ....a good sounding , crispy 70's show from my hometown i can groove to . I was happy.

So throughout this show , there are 2 points worth mentioning. The first is (yes i know this is more trivia) this was the last Chicago Dark Star until a tease at Soldier Field in 91 , and finaly a first verse only in the spring of 94 at the Rosemont Horizon. *sigh* i never did get to hear a live full blown one. I will have to settle with the tease and the first verse.

Next point of interest that everyone may actually care to hear is - while skimming thru the deadbase , i happened to notice the infamous 1975 date in which the Dead busted out all new Blues For Allah material. Being played for the first time ever at this show were blockbuster tunes like Help on the Way and Franklins Tower - but lo and behold...this was not the first night Slipknot! had been played. In fact , it had been played twice in the recent past , and i was very curious to find this out - to say the least.

So in looking back at the two shows Slipknot! had been performed at, i found myself impressed by reading 7-25-74's set list and seeing the wonderful line up of tunes they gave Chicago that night. However , not listed on the archives here is an official Slipknot! that does indeed surface this evening right at the tail end of Dark Star. In fact , at almost exactly 21:26 is where it begins. It should definitly be notated here at least - the entire dark star is 24:11 , leaving Slipknot! at about 3:45 long.
Anyhow , in case anyone else looks this show up looking for the Slipknot! jam , its in there :)

all around good vibe here, nothing outrageous, just dead on dead.

listening to this one right now....great bass on brown eyed women..listen to keith's accompaniment to the last verse .....great plinky winky-------how sweet the slide on jimmy row .....broken hearts don't feel so bad.....this has never been reviewed? what a show......typical setlist for 74...band was on point!!!! this sounds real good. Dark Star is beginning now, slowly-----