Some really nimble guitar work by Jerry. Ripping version

Great dichotomy between Jerry and Duane's solos

The SBD I scooped had a Wang Dang Doodle-ish soundcheck that came with it. Some pretty slinky shit. Worth checking if you can track it down

Patient build into a soaring version. Glides nicely into a Playin' Reprise

Massive version! Was spinning on the treadmill at the gym and felt like I was going to run through the wall. Serious way to open a show!

I listened, intently, many times to this version today, on a rainy day in Boston. The Scarlet is emotively perfect and stands out, to my ears, as one of the most enjoyable of the era. The boys come out with energy and purpose, Bobby shines in his fills, the rhythm devils are dancing the beat, Jerry is tickling the leads, the pre-segue jam gets appropriately spacey and meditative, then a perfect landing into Fire. The Fire has a wonderful initial swell. Jerry fumbles the words, but this is of little consequence, as the communication in his playing is the only real truth that matters. The Fire shines to a glistening conclusion. To my ears, many of the May '77 S>Fs are so similar, oft played with technical accuracy and precision, though also with vibrant exploration. This, for me, is as enjoyable or even more so than any of its other peers from the era.

Is there a better possible opener to a show?? This has been a staple for a long time and so good to hear on the new release. The Slipknot is truly mesmerizing and the Franklin's, triumphant

Keith, the unsung hero of May '77. His fills are intentional and lovely. Weaving in and out. Version even has an audible Bobby giggle and "whhOOOH" at the start

The swell and subsequent peak of this is SO majestic. Sounds great in all of its clean, SBD beauty. One of the goodies I was most looking to with the new release.

Lovely jam segment going into GDTRFB. Jerry has a very choice trill moment for a few seconds before the segue. Fleeting, but the moment is indelible