Dark Star
April 8, 1972
Wembley Empire Pool
This DS/SM/Caution is one of the three or four most stunning things the band ever did. The DS may be the sweetest, most inspired, magical, transcendent rendition ever recorded; the segue and its preceding proto-MLB Jam are justly legendary; the spacey jam in the middle is gorgeous. The whole thing bespeaks the bottomless generosity and spiritual benevolence the Dead were known for -- and yet it's given the serrated rockin' edge by that stonking "Caution". The whole suite has me helpless on the floor in a woolen ball of nerves. I can only imagine what it's like to listen to it stoned/high.
Oh, and Grendel, my friend, you are right on the money.
