Outstanding late-late-era Dead.

NFA as a Jerry tune? Yup, here it is! "But you drive me back -- huh!" Hell yes!

Overlooked GEM! Swift yet deeply felt. Jerry CRUSHES it.

This is a wonderful China Cat > Rider. It's worth a listen (or 2 or 3). It has that something special about it -- they were all feeling this one, you can tell. And, of course, Jerry really, really wishes he was a headlight on a northbound train. Woah!

Best version I've ever heard.

If you're looking for pixie dust, for that special something that every now and then inhabited the boys so that they'd pull off a distinctive, impassioned version -- maybe not perfect (probably not), but... a stand-out. If so, look no further in Althea country: THIS is what you're looking for. // Until a couple days ago, I'd never heard the 1981/03/14 version, and when I did, I was blown away by it. Yes, the quality of the AUD recording is off-the fucking-charts good. But mostly the version. It's something really special, undoubtedly better than 1980/05/16 (which was my previous go-to). But it's got NOTHING on this version. Pound for pound, I've never heard an Althea that can touch this one.

I was *nearly* there! This was a Saturday show. I saw Thursday, (no show Friday), and Sunday and Monday. Of course, Saturday was the one to see. I knew immediately: two guys walking out after the shows, laughing at our questions about the show; they turn to us, say, "That was the night to see. That was it!" Alas, they were right, the bastards! This Althea may be exhibit A. It exhibits so much of what I admire about Jerry's late-late-era vocal stylings. He's exhibiting such an inventive melodic sensibility throughout the whole tune. Amazing. Wish I'd been there!

This one's the best. I love 1/22/78... but it's not this.