Jerry and Bobby create a beautiful space before TOO. A conversation in strings. Billy and Mickey create primal, carnivorous music. Hunting music.

What a crown jewel Pretty Peggy O can be. A truly tender version that washes away all my worries. These 74 versions are quite special.

The Dead take the Parisians through a cowboys surrealist day dream. Check out how both Keith and Jerry are utterly locked into the music.

Blossoms and blooms like a shining red rose. I really love the energy for this show.

1974 and Ship of Fools go together like peanut butter and jelly. Full of emotion. They're really giving their all in this.

It is criminal that this is so low. First, I don’t ever want to hear from anyone that Keith didn’t contribute as much post hiatus. This will prove anyone wrong. Second, holy shit this is the most disco, grooviest, sweating your balls off Dancin’ I have ever heard. The jamming is deep and melodic. Feels like it’s really going somewhere. Absolutely one of the best of all time. Dance music for aliens.

The Deal’s of ‘77 onwards are famous for it’s fast and ferocious jams, the essence of gambling within the song, our eyes and ears fixed on whether Jerry will “hit the note” on this one! This is a nice break from those heavy jams, and a nice look into the actual roots of the song. The song is alive and well and may not be the flashiest, it’s so well played and tells a story of old in true electric jug band fashion. This has an energy. Don’t miss these old versions, not many stand out, but this one does.

The night before is a wailer, but don’t miss it’s twin brother either. this opener is a stunning psychedelic beauty and has an infectious bounce to it that you can’t help but to groove to. Great opener and mood setter to this show.

Time to spin my favorite show again. This Playin’ is the portal to the epic and elegant jamming this show is known for. Lots of power and jazzy sophistication, the band is not afraid to take risks and they realize how far they can take this jam. This is a landmark in this songs evolution, I can hear the spaces they later explore further in 73-74. The Tiger roars a mighty psychedelic howl that leaves all in attendance in awe of the cosmic Dionysian jamming they just witnessed. Over in just a blink of an eye, this is a peak into the world of Playin’ in the Band right as they conquered it, and you see the beginning groundbreaking explorations this song is known for. Love this version. Star child.

Lovely early version