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Submissions

7
El Paso
May 11, 1977
St. Paul Civic Center Arena

Crisp and nimble
12
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
April 9, 1983
Hampton Coliseum

One of the best of the year
28
Loser
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

Every song from this show should be on here. This Loser is certainly deserving, solo is on point.
19
Good Lovin'
Nov. 4, 1977
Cotterell Gym - Colgate University

Intense and quick jamming. Charged Bertha > Good Lovin' to open the legendary trio, 11-4, 11-5,11-6
5
Mississippi Halfstep Uptown Toodeloo
Nov. 23, 1978
Capital Centre

Stunned this wasn't posted earlier. Superb 1/2 step opener, Garcia plays melodically and beautifully.

Comments

He's Gone
June 20, 1991
Pine Knob Music Theatre

This SOTM into He's Gone is a truly mellow experience, like capturing an entire essence in a bottle, of what the band was about at this stage in the game, controlled, non-pretentious, American mellowness. The real greatness for me comes with the transition, the tempo's are nearly the same, so the seamlessness is apparent. However, on the flip side, when looking at this whole Download series, I can't love it, the show doesn't fully do it for me, but it certainly isn't awful, and its probably slightly above-average but for an official release it doesn't hit the spot. A solid run non-the less, nothing jaw-dropping. As a side note: Mr. Williams will surely be missed, a sad moment indeed, this He's Gone has a certain somberness that I feel fits the moment, Garces glad you gave me the hint.
They Love Each Other
June 24, 1973
Memorial Coliseum

Bouncy, concise, simplified, focused, pinpoint precision.
Wharf Rat
Sept. 11, 1974
Alexandra Palace

Played with authority, quiet and meandering, yet also harsh and powerful. You can almost hear the waves crashing up against the docks. Nearly a dirge, but not quite, the outro jam is quite nice as well. A very strong version.
Truckin'
May 19, 1974
Portland Memorial Coliseum

Off the hook outro jamming moving through a multitude of themes varying in creativity, uniqueness, and color, I can say this Truckin' contains that definitive uniqueness that sets it apart. The outro jamming is tight and the sublime drop into Mind Left Body is just so very special.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Nov. 17, 1972
Century II Convention Hall

This is the real deal, a certified smoker. Transition is on fire.