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9
Playin' In The Band
June 4, 1977
The Forum

estimated>eyes>drums>good lovin>terrapin>playin>franklin's>space>china doll>not fade>playin reprise. One of the most insane set-lists of the year.
4
Estimated Prophet
June 4, 1977
The Forum

Powerful Estimated>Eyes, from a monster Spring 77' show.
13
Franklin's Tower
June 4, 1977
The Forum

Where is the love for this show?? A monster transition from Playin' into Franklins. Huge version, that blows the roof off the forum.
36
Terrapin Station
July 8, 1978
Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Legendary Terrapin Encore, I would put this in my personal top five. An absolutely ferocious final jam.
9
China Cat Sunflower
March 16, 1968
Carousel Ballroom

Dark Star > China Cat > Eleven pretty cool early experimental version. From the excellent "so many roads" box set

Comments

Playin' In The Band
Dec. 31, 1972
Winterland Arena

Glad you dug it Grendel. 1972 was certainly a prime year for Playin' jams. This show represents a clear transition, into 73'. A really unique perspective on the development coming full circle in many of the jams in the songs. 1973 would sound similar to the sound they achieved on this night, but slightly more developed and controlled. This show represents a very good transition out of 72' into 73'. Probably my favorite New Years show.
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
May 9, 1977
War Memorial

Stinging leads carry this one; mainly provided by Garcia and Lesh. Keith however has some nice fills in the Help on the Way. Altogether, however, when held in a comparative lense with the other versions surrounding it, it can clearly not be considered the top version. 8-13-75, 6-9-77, 4-23-77, 10-9-76 are all better, and some others still might on future listenings take a higher spot. Don't get me wrong this version is massive, but is not the best. There are multiple flubs in the Help, and the Franklin sputters at times. It certainly gets helped immensely by the date it was played on, the night after Barton.
Bertha
Oct. 22, 1971
Auditorium Theatre

Concise and strong, love Keith in this one. Garcia has a great solo. All in all Bertha was great in 71' this version proves that point.
Bird Song
March 16, 1973
Nassau Coliseum

Oh man, what a song, and what a version. Melodically this one trumps most, this soars and cascades. Belongs in any discussion for top 10.
Bird Song
June 22, 1973
Pacific Coliseum

Top 3 version.