Turn On Your Love Light
April 26, 1972
Jahrhunderthalle
I have to clock in with a comment on this one again. I've been listening to nothing but this for the last few weeks, and i have come to the conclusion that this is the performance where they melted together 100%. It all takes place from about six minutes in until the 'calm-down' before the transition into GDTRFB at about 15:30. Try to track only one player throughout the whole thing, Grateful Challenge of the Day! When Jerry starts his repeating lick at 8:15 up until the 'release' queued by bobby at 8:40ish builds up to the most furious few minutes of jamming they did the whole Europe tour. Even if you compare the most primal Dead you got (10/12/68, 10/13/68, 10/20/68, 12/28/68 etc, look at the Eleven, Caution especially) to this in terms of fury, engangement and intensity, this one comes out on top, because by April '72 they mastered their craft. To conclude: Music is of course subjective, but some place i just have to draw the line. Listen through this thoroughly with a good pair of headphones; The most complex, intense and intertwining jam the Grateful Dead ever played. Here, i draw the line.