Sugar Magnolia
June 11, 1976
Boston Music Hall
"Intense mellow", "laid back intensity" or what I always refer to as "hot mellow" - that's what's on display here. (Actually "laid back intensity" is a better choice of words.) As a musician I think it comes from utter confidence in the communication that comes from deep musical connection when playing together often, and of course the collective consciousness developed over years of touring, and a not insignificant reference to acid's ability to break barriers between individual egos, exposing the collective identity, a.k.a. 'there's nothing like a Grateful Dead concert'.... In any case, this Sugar Mag is brilliant. That it forms a big part of the 2nd set and not a tack-on at the end before the encore is just brilliant. The Eyes sammy is a rare treat.