Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Oct. 14, 1994
Madison Square Garden
Welp, it's been 24 years ago since the miracle happened.
For a long time, I didn't feel like a tried and true Deadhead for regarding this as my fave "SB -> FOTM." Do I think it's the best? That's subjective.
As to why it's my favorite, hear me out; the 1977 versions are in all likelihood the best: they're tight, well thought out, and groovy to the max. But I already know before I even listen to one from that year that it's gonna be all that.
We all know Jerry was on the decline in 1994. I went into this thinking it would be average to slightly above average for 1994. It wasn't. In any era, this is a fucking monster, a beastly thrill ride with Jerry as your captain.
Then there's the crowd; my fave Dead recordings are often ones where you can hear the crowd's palpable excitement and feel like you're right there. When Jerry hits the peaks on the pre-verse jams, I'm pumping my fist cheering the man on as he pulls off a Lazarus feat. This morning I listened to it while exercising and I got so into it punching the air I almost feel off the elliptical.
Are there better? Maybe. But none are more exciting. None give me the energy that this one does. At all.