This show opens with a China>Rider that is amazing. I am used to hearing these songs as a set closer. Those closer versions normally have more energy as well. Either way you can't beat a set one opener with it.
Then the set becomes a pretty standard set for 1972. Black Throated Wind sounds pretty good, but average. Chinatown Shuffle isn't too bad either. This song really reminds me of U.S. Blues. At least the intro does. Brown Eyed Women is a song that I think might have been played a bit too much in '72. This version is also average for the most part.
Cumberland Blues is played excellently. Very fast without feeling rushed.
The rest of set one is average/above average '72 playing.Other highlights are Mr. Charlie, You Win Again. Then they play Next Time You See Me. I have always really liked this Pigpen sung song. (Ha ha say Pigpen sung song 10 times fast.) In my opinion they always nailed that blues number. Then comes Playing In The Band. This is a shorter version considering the fact this song could get in the half hour range. This has some excellent percussion and drums through out it. Garcia finds the sweet spot about 5 minutes in and does not let up. His fingers were on fire that night. Then after the rocking PITB is a soulful Comes A Time. Casey Jones is the set closer. As normal they take it up a level during this song getting ready for second set. Keith plays some amazing piano on this Casey Jones.
Set two starts with Truckin'. This is not one of my favorite songs yet the jams at the end rank up there as some of the best. The closing jam on this disappoint, yet it does stop before they play Ramble On Rose. Jerry's vocals are excellent on Ramble On Rose. This is one of those songs that can bore me to death or really excite me. The early versions are normally top notch. Keith really shines on this song as well. Then follow a stage banter introducing Keith the audience to Keith. Bobby says Keith is pretty quiet.
A new Pigpen song Two Souls In Communion is up next. I think this song had a lot of room to grow. The emotion in his voice is very heartfelt. He seemed to be channeling the great blues gods this night as he has done so many times before. Phil also stands out on this track. His bass line is crystal clear and very defined. This song really makes me sad that Pigpen didn't live longer. I really do think he was coming into his own as a songwriter. Then comes a powerful cowboy slot after a tuning with Mexicali Blues. Mexicali as always doesn't fail to be a fun dance tune. Very upbeat and exciting. This song was needed after the slow Two Souls. Mexicali is also rather short before they end it to tune once again.
Dark Star perhaps my favorite song is next. You are able to hear a little bit of stage banter before during the tuning prior to the song. I really can't make out what is said though. Once the song starts after a long tuning the band seems ready to just jump in. Garcia plays some really pretty lead parts over Phil's spacey bass line, which leads to the main riff. Around 2:30 into the song a burst of energy appears before the main riff proper peeks its head out. This lasts very shortly as Jerry starts a small Tiger jam. At 4:44 Jerry begins to sing the first verse. His vocals start strong but show signs of weakness. Pretty standard 72 vocals I would say. Billy is excellent on this version. Right after the first verse is finished the music takes a turn for weirdness. It is a beautiful weirdness though. It can be intense at times while other times it can just be odd. Nice keys from Keith during this portion of the song. Garcia is pushing the song to be a little faster as Keith follows him in a jazz pianist style. Around 9:56 is some really interesting full band interaction as this leads to a more intense and energy filled jam. Then at 10:57 the band kicks it into full gear as they find their way out of the slow spacey jam that they were just in. This is short lived though. When it is brought back Phil almost hints at The Other One over all the madness. Instead he just goes down the scale playing lower notes. Creating his famous Phil Bomb carnage. Bobby lightly picks very interesting notes under Garcia and Lesh. Even Billy hints at The Other One just for a second. Phil tries to take over but Garcia won't let him as as he goes into Tiger Jam mode!!! I really dig what Keith has added to this band. He is a very jazz oriented player during this period. This jam moves into a Feelin' Groovey Jam. I think that is what that jam is called. I am really bad at the fan named jams. The only one I really know is the Mind Left Body and even those I can't call instantly. Jerry hints at a song that I can't think of the name of at the moment right before the main riff is brought back. The second verse is sang stronger than the first. Then the band finishes the song to recollect itself.
Next up is Big Boss Man. Another Pigpen rocker. Kind of a weird choice after Dark Star though. Pretty good song. Pig once again shows off his blues vocal stylings. After that Dark Star though this song does seem lacking at times. There is a nice harmonica solo from Pig. After this song is some stage banter from Bobby. Then the band bursts into Not Fade Away. An excellent choice in my opinion. Billy really nails this song. Also Jerry and Bob harmonize excellently. The band begins to jam this into some nice energy filled territory. Phil once again comes through this mix very well. The music starts to mutate itself into Going Down The Road Feeling Bad very smoothly. This is an example of a great transition jam. The high energy from NFA stays for GDTRFB. Jerry's vocals are also perfect for this song. Keith plays such a driving piano part it I just want to dance all night to this song. I know I have already said I dig Keith in this song but he keeps impressing me. Honestly, I am used to Brent in the bench behind the keys. Jerry then plays the We Bid You Goodnight solo right before they launch back into NFA. This version has a call and response singing style with Pig and Bobby. The band was on fire for this one. As Pig and Bob go into a screaming contest right before they wrap up an excellent show.
Listen to the show!!!
China Cat Sunflower ->
I Know You Rider
Black Throated Wind
Chinatown Shuffle
Brown Eyed Women
Beat It On Down The Line
Cumberland Blues
Looks Like Rain
Mr. Charlie
Tennessee Jed
El Paso
You Win Again
Jack Straw
Next Time You See Me
Playing In The Band
Comes A Time
Me And Bobby McGee
Casey Jones
Set 2
Truckin'
Ramble On Rose
Two Souls In Communion
Mexicali Blues
Dark Star
Big Boss Man
Not Fade Away ->
Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad ->
Not Fade Away
Encore
Sugar Magnolia
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