Grateful Dead

Compendium doesn't list the Oct 2 show.

DMCVT -- go bro, don't let cabin fever getcha low...

Man, I'm a sucker for Candyman (until Bobby started (perpetually) with the slide). Real solid Disc 2. I see (hear) what folks are saying about the so-slightly muffled SQ.

Very solid opening pic for the year. The Year of the Minkey.

And got me some TTB tics for the Rocks this year.

HF

For a long time, the only circulating copies of this show were partial Auds of 'modest' quality.

but

I remember a 76 show being stated as not being in circulation.

Is this Cincinnati that one?

Just curious...

(I am curious...mellow)

....I finally hit the Phish lottery. Hollywood Bowl is a go! (I needed some good news).

A gorgeous version : )
Note: 10.10.76 is also really good

Perhaps they got up against the time limit for the hall, or there weren't quite enough party favors around - as the Other One reprise could have used more juice, the Sugar Magnolia kinda fizzles late on, and there does not appear to have been an encore.

Still, I'm Very Thankful to now have the full show in fine, upgraded quality.

Hit the PO Box yesterday, picked up this morning, will spin it up late tonight or tomorrow. Headed off to hear Bill Frisell this evening in western MA. Heard Greg Abate wail on jazz reeds Sunday in NH, Harry Manx plays a local church Saturday. Can't get enough live music in cabin fever daze.

Bobby won the coin toss and opens with a perfunctory Promised Land, which (like a Bertha opener) can herald either a smokin' rockin' show or take its place as the sacrificial lamb as the crew dials in the sound.

My strong hunch, based on the evidence, is that in 1976 Jerry insisted on more grooves, better harmonies, and more craftsmanship as they relaunched the band. (I caught shows in Boston, NYC and Passaic in June; Colt Park in August that year.)

That seems evident from June to October, based on the slower tempos and careful deliveries. In fact, it seems as if Jer is taking the Jerry band ethos into the GD: first get the groove going and relax into it, THEN crank it up. Regardless of whether fans came to scream and shake booty, Jer wants to make good music.

So, on this night, his opening numbers are They Love Each Other (typically I'm not a fan of that one) and Row Jimmy and the craftsmanship makes Bobby's It's All Over Now a tad subdued. But Jer's approach is measured and sustainable as he builds Tennessee Jed. Just as you perceive his carefulness as flirting with plodding, he turns on a dime and starts rockin' that number just as hard as you please. He's got a plan. Same dynamic in Brown-Eyed Women.

Having properly gotten a groove going and taking his time to enjoy singing a few of his favorites, Jer and the boys gel big time on Weather Report and then he unleashes on Might as Well. This is a performance in phases.

Bobby's El Paso, to my ears, has always served to allow Jer to focus on Spanish-inflected leads and he is magnificent on this one.

I've heard some folks say this show is "meh," but based on the first set, I perceive a very well crafted opening set that made me want to listen carefully. My perennial thesis is that there is no jammy second set without a well-played foundational first set and everyone, including tape aficionados, should relax and let the band sing their songs; they'll get to the fireworks eventually. I think Jer was the hippest of the group in understanding how to build a crescendo over the course of 3 hours. Though, yes, there are first sets that just come out screaming and don't let up. I love those, too.

As for SQ, I didn't hear the crispness in the drums or the color in the bass of a Betty Board (this is Healy) and Bobby's vocals are up too high. But still, when Jer built his slow tempo groove in They Love Each Other, he pulled me in. I sat down and listened to how well he can build a slow tempo song, which in my book is a real challenge.

On to the rest of the show tonight. I see from the setlist that, again, Bobby comes out blasting, Jer takes it down with one of my favorites, Candyman, Bobby blasts with Samson, Jer takes it down with Roses, Bobby goes cowboy, Jer takes it easy on Friend. Later, with TOO fireworks, Jer injects the soul with Stella. It all seems so thoughtful, at least with a little of this and a little of that for listening pleasure. That to me is '76 GD, as opposed to the more raucous, balls-to-the-walls of '77. (Now I gotta go back to the early June shows when vehicles like Playing in the Band were so psychedelic but kinda in slow motion. Fascinating.)

I appreciate an opportunity to spew my view publicly. 'And this coffee is mighty strong!

HF

Left early Saturday morning for a 100 mile drive, now it says tomorrow. Might as Well, oh Well.

BTW, always make my funk the PFunk.

Saw PFunk live in '76 & '77.

One reason huge Shakedown Street Freak.

... Are we going to do that now? (approximate words).
Yes, I think Phil does not follow them for a bar or two - then he jumps in. They are all much more on the same page at the Cobo show. And if memory serves, that version has several more bars to it.

are talentless hacks who rip on true artists out of envy and jealousy