One of the best versions of this little-played but great song can be heard here. There is an essential 72 interview in Playboy where Jerry heaps some praise on Dolly Parton. This is why.

Every song gets an interesting treatment (the great versions of Black Throated Wind and Don't Ease Me In have been noted by others). Although the into and outros are nothing to write home about, the jam in this version of Playin' is right up there with Veneta and some of the other all-time best versions from '72, which is saying something.

Although Phil is high in the mix, it's Jerry (surprise!) who is most consistently bringing the goods here -- check out his vocals on Ramble On Rose! (not to say anybody's slouching here ... plenty of great Keith, too!) The awesome improvised riffs just pour out of Jery's fingers, particularly during the last half of the show, played with supreme confidence and just enough misfires to remind us there's a human being behind the switch.

The Dark Star is an oddity, to be sure. On either side of a long Phil solo is a Star that feels more like something from 1970 than 1972.

Pity there isn't a perfect source out there (apparently). This show beats out the Dave's Picks Wichita show (recorded a week earlier) by a pretty good margin, in this humble reviewer's opinion.

In 1984, I traded a girlfriend's boyfriend (yup, I was driving a stolen car) a U2 bootleg for this show. I still have the cassette. I have spent many mindless moments listening to Dark Star. By far my favorite version ALL time. Yeah, that's a bold statement, but it's my experience and my taste. I absolutely love it!

1972 is anything but boring.

i couldnt disagree more with jamminjerome. 72 trumps 71 and 73. I personally dont see all the fuss over 73 (though i've been that way with other years, and then saw the light, same story with 72). I think 73 is very good, but I prefer the sound of the instruments in 72, bobby especially, also love jerry's tone. The dark stars, playing in the band and other ones are all better in 72, at least IMO...

That being said quality show with a good dark star. There are some cool moments with just phil making really whacky noises. I personally think that nothing compares to a good 72 dark star. its bliss, no where near boring!

just like to point out that there seems to be a glitch or small splice at 2:55 in this version...the text file does not mention it and the other copy does not seem to have this problem...i would recommend streaming that one instead since its sounds better anyway.

there are some well-known jazz themes (and 2 classical themes in latter part) explored in this version, some I've never heard take over to the extent here, leading to one entire verse in a different than usual modality... even some screechy floyd-ian passages - very organic

1972 is just not my cup of tea. With 71, and to a lesser extent 73, it is a year filled with spot-on but unexploratory songs. Even the Dark Star here is boring.

But Keith is on, the band is solid, and the show is good. Just not my preference. I'll be fair and give it 5 stars, because it really isn't that bad. There are better shows from this year.

Highlights: Stella Blue, Around and Around, inventive tunings

As I was coming out of Mom, the Dead were on stage for an amazing celebration of life, music and jamming. One of my favorites if you can get a hold of good quality. This one definitely replaces my old worn out version. A better, more well rounded set list you will be hard pressed to find. Enjoy!!!!

I remember getting this show back in 1993. It was terrible quality but I could still zone out while studying at York University. Long live GD!

Soundboard available at deadboots.com
The recording sounds very good. Nice versions of familiar songs. Nothing really amazing, but very solid performances. The first two songs of the concert are missing.

Very low recording levels on this one makes for a lot of hiss, due to the fact that you're forced to crank it way up to hear anything at all. First couple of tunes are basically unlistenable. This one could really benefit from a bigtime remastering job!

Black throated wind. I've listened for the Garcia runs from this tune for years. Never heard it again. I would have regretted getting a Bobby brew on this one. Thank G-D for the archive.

I've always rated this show very highly, as it contains some of the best versions of the more common Dead songs. Black-Throated, Railroad, Jack Straw, Don't Ease and Chinarider are all excellent!

Box of Rain is Phil's best one. Both Stella and Tommorow are beautiful. I'm not worried about having a super Dark Star all the time, so don't let it bother you. Enjoy the lyrics to Around and enjoy the show!

Sound: A-
Show: A

I had this on a cassete tape in 1983 that had a beer dumped all over it and then snapped so this is a first since... playin, ramble on rose, dark star (I saw what the others said and respectfully disagree) into not quite WRS first licks also note the wierd lyrics to around and around.

A little "Stars and Stripes Forever" from Keith after Box of Rain...this is a fun, spirited performance. Garcia's playing is crisp and snappy throughout. Lots of nice piano from KG. The tune "Tomorrow is Forever" --- a Dolly Parton song! --- is a rare treat (the vocals may be a bit off, but it's heartfelt). Highly recommended.
(agreed: the Dark Star is not great; only one verse, some serious screeching feedback, no "feelin groovy" chaser, and a weak solo from Phil. Instead, it resolves into their first ever attempt at the prelude to WRS, and it is quite tentative; they fairly quickly head back into screechy, dissonant space, ultimately finding some shelter in a more straighforward number, Mississippi Half Step)(this is a very early version of Half Step, so don't expect much in the way of Garcia fireworks)(Around & A is pretty exciting, but for masters classes in Chuck Berry licks, see his work in the 1978-1982 timeframe).

The performance sometimes is good (Bird song, playin in the band, box of rain (this is a particular treat)), however a few songs are spoiled by a few cuts with nothing to splice into the gap. The dark star is not that great... too much in the way of quiet creepy parts (for me at least).