Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Oct. 14, 1994
Madison Square Garden
one of the best ever period. 94 alchemy God damn, those were some lucky deadheads in MSG. The jamming is so fluid and high-spirited, like water flowing from the Hudson into the Atlantic on a beautiful day, looking out from the esplanade in Battery Park. The scarlet begonias, and the jamming afterward, make no mistake, is amazing. But the reason this version has over 100 votes is the unstoppable, titanic 21 minute version of Fire on the Mountain. It's just fucking insane, don't know how else to describe it honestly. Absolute euphoria, mate. Jerry's soloing on Fire on the Mountain, is just freaking awesome, he makes Lightning Bolt sing in harmony using some dope ass harmonizer pedal. After sweeping the audience and the band away for 8 straight minutes, Jerry looks over at Weir and gives him a sly little grin before singing the second verse. A true fireworks ending, the whole band sends it skyrocketing through the roof of the garden, Devils go into double time, it's quite remarkable stuff, and those lucky deadheads lose their mind with an ovation that lasts until Bobby starts the next song. Overall I have rambled on about this version as I have been processing it for the first time, but when all is said and done this is one of those versions that I would show somebody to try and get across to them what makes this band so special. heady and sparsely rippin' beauty rollin away the dew :-)