One of the best played versions from one of the best played shows in the Brent era---ever.

15+ minutes of funk w/extended overlapping vocal rounds of "just gotta poke around", etc. before jam Brent adds cool "fuzzy" SFX

Check out Keith on this one! He's never been so up front before & right outta the gate!!

Peppy early version w/Jer belting out lyrics & Pig doin' some nice work on organ. No archive copy exists; got this off 30 Days of Dead-worth the DL!

Super-charged EARLY Brent version rips and tears and shreds. Final jam before the coda is the best they ever did in this tune. Goes to 11.

A fair point, re: being there. I was not, and I'm just going by what I'm hearing here, but I do think that when recommending "best of" versions we should all make an effort to be as objective as possible. As an example, I posted the March '86 "Box" as a heady version but made sure to say that objectively speaking it's really not a great version at all, but being there, as I was, and the crowd reaction to the break-out, makes it worthy for only that reason. I am not doubting anyone who was there that seeing this must have been an awesome experience, but if you were to recommend a version of Iko to someone out of the blue as a "here's the best Iko you can find", there's no way if you're honest this version can qualify, and yet here it stands in first place. I guess that annoys me, but hey, differing opinions is part of what makes this site so much fun.

I don't know, folks. #1 slot? Seriously? Look, I'm not trying to be a contrarian & there's some stuff here to like, i.e. yes, Jerry's having fun & the vocals--for 1995 anyway--are OK. But what's really so great here? The jamming is pretty one note, never really hits any peaks, & look, I just can't stand the MIDI...it's like what a computer thinks a horn is supposed to sound like, and it completely covers up any personal tone of Jerry's guitar in favor of a synthesized, non-nuanced monotone of notes. I'm not saying this is a "worst ever" version by a long shot...it's OK compared w/some others, but if you want a fast. rocking, full-throated New Orleans type of version, why not check out any of the ones they did with the Neville Brothers? In fact, try 12/31/87 which is sitting currently at one sad little vote but kicks this version in the teeth just for fun. Some of the late 70's versions are also way better than this, even if they're of a slower tempo and maybe that's apples and oranges, but how about some of the early 80s versions that wind up slowly out of space and have a better groove than this version ever could. I wouldn't be ranting like this if this were somewhere in the middle of the pack on voting but #1? Just. Not. Worthy.

From a great show that would be more talked about if a better source existed. Many strong Altheas in '81 (also see 5/1/81 and 3/14/81) and this one certainly fits the bill. This is a terrifically long show w/many great versions (S>F, Black Peter, Sugar Mag sandwich, Wheel).

Quite possibly the best-ever KEITH version. seriously. His contributions here are every bit as stunning as Jerry's or anyone else. Starts with a lovely little section just after the first two verses and then as the jam breaks get more intense there's Keith driving the train out in front with repeated syncopated chords of glory, psychedelic and rockin' all at once in a steady determined jam. Great version, and one of Mr.Godchaux's finest moments.

Glad you checked it out & dug it DarkStar67...hopefully your kudos will encourage "other ones" (sorry) to give it a try as well!