Heavy calypso rhythms & monstrous punctuation via The Beast make for an epic Drums out of Terrapin. 5 star stuff.

In combo with the equally stunning "Eyes" to follow this is an unheralded, wah-wah Jerry-heavy, Bobby/Donna vocal gem.

Flying Pig.

Sily smooth Althea from Providence. Rich Jerry vocals & of course, chunks o'Phil. This deserves a listen & some votes!

Short but oh so sweet fuzzfest of Brent-centric gooyness seamlessly into a typically funkified 1980 NFA

I have my issues with Donnie's at times overly critical grousing about certain versions and his subsequent questioning of people's Deadhead credentials as a result, but on this one I'm firmly in his corner and NOT just because I nominated the version he's backing. I'm at a total loss as to how anyone can seriously and objectively hear the 4 minute Veneta version...which sounds nearly identical to just about any other 4 minute version from '72 that's out there...and then listen to the jammed out, high octane, all-in completely barn burner version from 9/18/90 with the extra factor of Hornsby bringing color and flash and flourish to the whole damn thing, and not conclude that MSG is the superior version. Sorry, folks, but Donnie's straight up right on this one. Promised land from Veneta is good, it's nice, it's Veneta after all. But it's just like every other '72, which is to say, by the numbers, predictable, and with far less to offer than the show stopper that is 9/18/90.

One of those "just assumed it was already there" versions. Yes, a winnner, as this tune was still in its fresh live stages and from one of the great shows of all time it's a can't miss.

They just don't make em like this anymore. And btw this whole show is every bit as good as all the A list of dates that come after and overshadow it...unfairly, really.

Maybe it's the superior clarity of sound from the movie soundtrack, but more likely it's just the ethereal jazz presentation that permeates this Dark Star from beginning to end that has vaulted it into my Top 3 all time grouping. There isn't any Tighten Up or MLB jam here but don't let that deter you. They explore some unique improv avenues and just glide along seamlessly in the process. Garcia sings gorgeously here too. Flawless version. Depending on my mood, sometimes best of the best.

Neck and neck forever with Ventura '84 as best ever, this one on repeated listening always wins by a nose. The solo Garcia nails here is both technically amazing and an emotional tsunami, and as stated by Mdempste the crowd and band know it feed the energy right back. Garcia's vocals here are very much like Ventura in that smokey, gravely hard blues vein but it doesn't stop him from belting out the lyrics. Btw, to Storyteller, if you ever find that version that's your favorite, please let me know, because I've yet to find any that matches this or Ventura but I love this song and am very curious to hear any that merits the highest praise.