Worthy if only for the jaw-dropping transition into and out of Dark Star

Phil plays some really unique notes in this one

On fire

Infectious groove

This is the GOODS

A time-warp. Red roses and velvet. Jazzy and smooth, a trip through the time and rhythms that be. Like a snowflake in summer and a blue swirling lake, curls like the winter, and sings like a saint.

Heavy, organic train of smoldering ash and coal

Coralsandbelow has posed a question, a tough one at that, better than 10/12!? Impossible you say. The Eleven, obviously 10.12, that monster, is undoubtedly unbeatable, at least for 1968. That powerhouse, full-out sprinting joyful eleven minute exhalation. Clean cold frosty breath, metallic energy, and primal raw energy, at a certain apex, an apex of psychedelic power. You say this after you hear 10.12, however, where were you when 10.13 was to get its air time? After listening to 10.12, the Eleven that is, and then listening to 10.13, the twelfth sounds like a warm-up, the heat, following that brilliant 10.12 madness, comes in like a steam locomotive drilling hundreds of miles per hour, off the rails and crushing undergrowth, wrecking havoc on all about, a power unbridled, unharnessed, raw and free. Like a flowing brook, a stream, in darkness, rapid and overflowing the banks, pouring rain, and cracking thunder. This is 10.13 THE Eleven you must hear.

"Majestic"--to quote Carrion's apt description--floating on a thin iridescent air, maneuvering silently from the depths of The Other One, melting into a smooth frenzy. Fills, capturing, the heart of the melody, and a Dirt Jam, as explosive as they come. The band is sufficiently warmed up and hot coming out of The Other One, a monster at that, and are just biting their chops, they give this one a smooth reading. Just fantastic, really, they're all on.

A version that clearly has the band clicking on all cylinders. Peak after peak led by the tones of Garcia and Lesh, a meld of telepathic control, the drummers, control the pace with an effective tone, an emotionally riveting performance. Every fill every nuance, one of the best.