Not sure why everyone ignores '77 versions, but you're missing out if you haven't heard this one. Power packed Jerry-led fury.

In the band's worst year they somehow came up with a really short but spot-on SJ that emerges nicely out of space. Ignore the date-check out the tune.

Seek out the SBD (unknown lineage) then bask in what's possibly the best-sung, most heartfelt & lovely "Roses" ever.

It's criminal that this hasn't made the list yet. Like super-smooth '77 versions? You MUST hear this.

Bobby's birthday at the world famous Melkeweg. Yummy brownies make this version extra special.

More about this one. If you’re a fan of 11/4/77 & clearly there are many & for good reason you really should give this one a hard listen. Colgate is like a fire hose of Garcia notes and it’s blazing while still holding true to the song’s structural integrity. In this version Garcia is playing just as fast...maybe faster...but with an even more controlled and mellow jazz flow than 11-4. When Jerry plays this way he always brings to mind a Wes Montgomery performance...be-bop jazz notes at the Village Gate kind of feel, & to top it off the rest of the band is equal to the task. Weir’s rhythm is exceptionally disciplined in this version so as to keep up with Jerry but he adds color & just the right amount of counter at just the right times as well. Billy & Mickey deserve full accolades for the same reason, right up until Garcia’s second jam break where they let loose & provide some serious power to the end jam. Phil rolls along beautifully & while a Keith could be higher in the mix, he’s fully engaged as well. If you’re looking for a big board sleeper pick, you found it.

An oddity for its year--a compact, under 15-minute long beauty of a Dark Star. Playing around mostly with the main theme Garcia draws liquid lines with ease while the rest of the band coalesces & delivers a fully realized yet more streamlined rendition that still tantalizes the senses. The Eyes that follows is pretty sweet too.

^^^^^Needed that chuckle & you're right--a very 2020 activity. Thanks for doing it so we don't have to! (Not my favorite tune ;-)

^^^^you ain’t wrong. That very thing (Weir’s interruption) keeps me from upvoting this otherwise fine version.

What is it with the Dead crushing it in Charm City? The Ravenspace show in '82, the Dick's Picks from 9/17/72, & this oddly overlooked '77 masterpiece are just a few examples but this Eyes in particular should not be missed from this show, which contains many other gems. Full-powered jamming in this one that sounds more like the rowdier fall versions than the usual May suspects. Easy upvote.