China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Sept. 10, 1974
Alexandra Palace
It's a cliche to say "they never play a song the same way twice," but this is vastly different from the previous outing (8/5). While the middle jam often has a headlong feel, here Garcia takes them into it with a lightly chopping emphasis on the backbeat, and the playing is delicate and finely wrought. Weir is a key player on the transition from his section to FG, at which point Lesh probably becomes the main man. One of the best of the year, without a doubt.