Terrapin Station
Feb. 26, 1977
Swing Auditorium
Hope I don't incur too much wrath here, but I totally disagree w/all that's been said about this version, especially putting it at #1.
It's NOT especially powerful, and while it's played competently enough, it's clear that there are kinks to be--and were--worked out for later versions. I mean, Jerry doesn't even get the lyrics right! (Not that that was so rare, but there are many other versions in which he DOES nail all the lyrics, and the jams are far more interesting and intense than this one.)
Please listen objectively and you'll see my point...which is that this version seems to get inordinately praised precisely because it was first--not because it was best.
