Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
May 17, 1977
Memorial Coliseum
Glad to see this version getting some love. I still prefer 05-08 for certain moods, but this show is at least Barton's equal. This "S > F" rages throughout. Jerry plays several compelling choruses before they move to the transition, Donna is subtle (her and Jerry are playing off each other?), and listen for the way Garcia slowly brings in the envelope filter (auto-wah) to build through the transition. He hits those big "duck quack" chords on beats 2 and 4 at first (like a reggae feel), but then switches right to beats 1 and 3. I picture him grinning on stage, making a room full of sweating college Heads lurch. Also, Phil eats the transition for breakfast.