Grateful Dead

This concert feels a little cozier than the others. "That's It For The Other One" is phenomenal, maybe the best of 1969. That song is a mountainous jam, you know. How could you not feel dizzy the way they get real fast at the end there and slowly dissipitate into "New Potato Caboose". This is my fave Dead song and although I like the one from 8-24-68 (Two From The Vault) better, I got to admit it's a pretty neat version. Phil's bass is a little sloppy but his unique approach to the bass is an inventive for the awkward. Yes, Bobby does get pretty clumsy during the jam, but let's face it, folks. This was only Bobby's song vocally. Other than that, it belongs entirely to Phil and Bobby Petersen. I like the sustained notes that Garcia plays during his solo.Also entertaining is the way "Doin' That Rag" starts gently at the end of the grand finish of "Potato". And even more jaw dropping is the snazzy barbershop close leading directly into a hair raising "Cosmic Charlie" intro. They never allow room for any applause from the audience. I guess they were either pressed for time or they just didn't want to stop playing. When I say this show is cozier than the other three I'm really talking about the 2nd set. The two acoustic numbers are a nice touch. "Dupree's Diamond Blues" has finally found it's spot and this is probably the prettiest version of "Mountains Of The Moon" ever performed. There's a slight stumble during the transistion into "Dark Star" but no matter. I like this version a little more than the one from 2-27-69 (Live/Dead) because it takes both a mellow and heavy metal approach. Each minute seems to be a different world. "St. Stephen" is great. No version will ever compare to the one from 2-27 but it's certainly an energized performance. "The Eleven" is very nice and quite short at only five minutes. Jerry's solo along with the drums at the end is quite nice and it goes steadily into a beautiful "Turn On Your Lovelight". This version is interesting in that they hold back on the vocals until maybe 3 minutes in. Garcia needs a chance to explore some more. Pig Pen starts to sing but before you know it, he's already finishing his rap and the song is over. What was that thing people said? "Time flies when you're having fun"? I like the banter quite a bit. There's one part where Bobby says "Phil is just about halfway across the Golden Gate Bridge by now". I wonder what that means. Jerry says the exact same thing on the 4-21-69 performance at the Ark in Boston. Only he says "Phil's about halfway across town by now." Maybe they were just high. A nice performance of "Hey Jude" to finish things out. Very spirited if, out of tune. He he. But Pig Pen gives it his all. Listening to this song at night, I kind of feel like I'm there, you know.

great Hey Jude

Listening to this show on Sirius in Chicago, at Goose Island Brewery, sitting on a couch, enjoying a strong hoppy ale, earphones and laptop, friday night, no worries