Dark Star
Sept. 21, 1972
The Spectrum
While I don't make the bright-line distinction between the named jams and the song like Donnie and others, here I'm inclined to agree that without this MLBJ, this Star wouldn't be rated nearly as high as it is. The bluecidgrass is sublime as everyone agrees, but the Star itself seems a bit lost in noodleville for long stretches before coalescing into a transition that on 2nd or 180th listen clearly telegraphs that Morning Dew is coming BEFORE the bluecidgrass section. The Dew that comes after is, quite simply, stunning.