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Submissions

1
Candyman
Oct. 30, 1977
Assembly Hall - Indiana University

Keith stands out on this crystalline version. A stunning performance as the band is completely in synch with each other. Watch out for that solo too.
1
They Love Each Other
Oct. 30, 1977
Assembly Hall - Indiana University

Lovely version with a really great Keith solo, Jerry’s solo right after is equally as moving. Don’t miss this one.
1
Samson and Delilah
Sept. 29, 1977
Paramount Theatre

Played with a real sense of urgency. Bobby growls away as Jerry explores a new approach to his soloing. This is a scorcher.
1
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
Sept. 29, 1977
Paramount Theatre

Jerry plays away his sorrows on top of the rhythm devil’s swinging beats. Sweet as can be with some real magical energy here.
1
Feelin' Groovy Jam
March 16, 1973
Nassau Coliseum

First ever in a China>Rider pairing. Makes for some wonderful music to start off this stellar show.

Comments

Sugar Magnolia
Dec. 15, 1972
Long Beach Arena

darkstar67 your insight is always spot on. 72 specifically had many Sugar Magnolias which have that “mindless groovy” effect that you described. Especially during this era, these Sugar Mags would come out of the most brain scrambling, lysergic filled jams you’ll ever hear. These were the OG mind left body jams. A pallet cleanser after the darkness they traverse through in philosophical and spiritual explorations. This a great mindless groove if you ask me! “Heads all empty and I don’t care!”
Morning Dew
Dec. 15, 1972
Long Beach Arena

Hard to get much better than this. Keith plays music so eternal and beautiful, expressing his own ode to joy through each key on the piano. The transcendence emanating from this performance is truly something to behold, Jerry’s somber detachment from the things in his life, leading towards a triumphant climax that declares Jerry’s view on the world and life he lives. Nothing matters anyways, there are 2 ways to look at a statement such as that, and this night, Jerry saw the light within such a statement.
Dark Star
Dec. 15, 1972
Long Beach Arena

Also the good stuff starts after the last Truckin verse for those who are interested. Cheers!
Dark Star
Dec. 15, 1972
Long Beach Arena

This jam remains in my top favorites of all time. To me the Grateful Dead, reached a place in which night after night they try to go to, this night they succeeded in completing immersing themselves in this invisible plane of existence. In here they spiral into serene landscapes, cosmic absurdities, abstract geometry, becoming a flowing river that turns into a waterfall that flows down the bottom of eternity. Not the longest, not the most conventional, but do we listen to the Dead for their conventionality? I don’t. What builds is a tranquil yet urgent piece of music which is full of pure natural energy, evoking images of places you only see in your dreams. Just comprehensible enough to make out where you are, but ultimately uncanny. Some of the pockets of music that are jammed are utterly unique, and flow like water but turn in every which direction. The jam right before the introduction of the main Dark Star theme is a melancholic display of musical intuition being brought to the forefront, and how emotion gets portrayed through the notes and rhythms of each and every member. Once we get beyond the lyrics, we see this star being eclipsed, and the stillness and the energy being channeled by the band. A Dark Star has emerged. They channel its frequencies and release them through their instruments, resulting in incomprehensible shapes and form, sound and noise. Impossibly regal in its astral architecture. The chaos of our universe envelopes the band and what comes out of Jerry’s guitar conveys the utter spontaneity and absurdity of existence. This is some great acid music. Just a swirling mass of untamed, ancient energy.
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
Oct. 1, 1976
Market Square Arena

This band is so effortlessly entering in and out of space time it’s utterly inexplicable. I usually find that one of the tunes in this trio is usually stronger than the other, or at the very least 2/3 are stronger, but this is a rare exception where all 3 hold their own in this stunning performance. They’re all so melodically on point this performance, not one note wasted, and the spaces they explore all tie together so perfectly. The Slipknot is spacey, delicate, adventurous, cosmic, and inventive. I love the interplay between every single member, no one outshines each other and they all create this wonderful moment of music that comes straight from the center of our universe. Jerry and Keith’s playfulness is on full display as Phil creates some beautiful harmonic texture that contrasts beautifully with the music being played. Bill and Mickey find their musical equilibrium during this Slipknot, and as we get to Franklins Tower, Jerry’s soulful and elegant lead work gets put on full display as Bobby plays the most infectious rhythm you’ll ever hear. This Franklins Tower is particularly strong, the joy that comes pouring out of this performance is infectious. What a version.