Bouncy as it is lysergic. Unique phrasing from Jerry. Everybody’s vocals are on. The Rider is some pure country fried jamming if I’ve ever heard it.

This is The Dead at peak performance level. Cataclysmic version. Everyone is ON. Explorative and not a beat missed. Easily top 5 of 69.

Nice early electric version. Always preferred this key for Dire Wolf compared to when they changed it in the later years. Just right. Nice version.

Takes you right to Chicago. Jerry’s playing emulates the blues greats. Hard rocking version that reminds me of a Junior Wells cut. Highly recommend.

Haunting organ playing. Crystalline and psychedelic early version that feels very spacey. Great vocal delivery.

A serious sense of urgency within the first few notes of this Dark Star. This triumphant worm hole opening piece of music ensues as they band enters this portal and sends this Dark Star crashing down upon the audience. From the ashes we get a heroic return to curious and powerful realms that leads into a seamless Tighten Up sequence that showcases the bands unrelenting drive. I wish there was footage for this but I think the cameramen were dosed too hard for this segment. Really great hard rocking Dark Star that gets where it needs to. Also nice Dancin tease as well!

Posted twice sorry

My previous comment does not do this Dark Star justice. This fantasy suite takes us on a trip to Elysium, where the band explores this landscape of sky high mountains and valleys with grand waterfalls, this jazzy exploration leads into some of the more beautiful spaces the band have come across up until this point. Keith plays some notes that really show his wonderful avant garde surrealist nature, turning this earthy Dark Star into one of Salvador Dali’s paintings. I really love that when Jerry tries to signal back to the main theme Bobby, Keith, and Phil keep exploring these new mysterious spaces that take a peak behind the veil where we are greeted in the land of mythology and wonder. The delicate space showcases everyone’s limitless imagination, showing that they can take this Dark Star and create their own universe within each soundscape. I also love that Billy sits out for about 3-4 minutes as he lets the string instruments explore their space. This is what makes a great drummer, the silence from the percussion as the strings continue to create magic showcases Billy’s mastery of when and when not to play. After the verse, the band gets into this almost tribal sounding jam, that calls back to melodies and rhythms that feel encoded in our DNA. At this point, Phil absolutely just pops the fuck off. Going in so many different directions at once, and eventually locking in with Jerry as he leads the band into the next jam, which leads into one of the most powerful Feelin’ Groovy of the tour. How seamlessly the entire band falls under this stream of conscious and flows into the well of infinite possibility, and Phil realizes he can truly do whatever he wants, no constraints, and dictates the jam going in and out of the theme before going into deep space. My only wish for this Dark Star was that the feedback swirling trapeze space section before Sugar Magnolia was longer(sorry Grendel) but I love myself some brain dissolving noises. While it would’ve been great, I also love that it was almost like Bobby and the band were saving Jerry from going too far into that dark nihilistic space, and the move into Sugar Magnolia really cleans the mind after a spiritual exercise like that Dark Star. Intensely beautiful, with wonderful moments of innovative jazzy jam segments.

Really stunning organ work by Pigpen. Perfectly blends in with mellow sunset vibes this version has. Melodramatic with a touch of fae magic that makes this whole version so magical. A beautiful palette cleanser before an incredibly spiritual and beautiful Dark Star. Like entering an enchanted garden, and coming across a forest that filled with mythology and explorations.

Saturn’s blues. A perfect performance of Pigpen undeniable feeling and love for the blues, and the cosmic energy that the band produces as they play, conveying their own blues through a new lens. I always love their cover of this tune, really great arrangement that shines brightly this cold night in Copenhagen.