The show is known for the premieres of From the Heart of Me and Shakedown Street. This was the only time they played a fourth show at Red Rocks in one year. After ending the previous tour with the first-ever shows at Red Rocks (which, at 9000 seats was a lot bigger back then, and Denver much smaller), they worked on the new album. To prep for Egypt and fund the trip they then came back for two more shows followed by one at Meadowlands. In the meantime Billy broke his arm and played these shows in a cast. These were lower profile, short-notice shows, produced by John Sher instead of Fey (along with the following show with Willie & Jessi Colter). They're not as "on" as they were just 7 weeks previously, but when it comes to premiering songs, these were properly woodshedded.
First Set.
Half Step Mississippi has a poor mix and it takes a bit for the band to find the groove. Matrix needed.
El Paso is hissy, muffled and thumpy (roll off the highest and the lows). The AUDs are echo-y, with loud ambience, but you might try the Wiley. The band are still zeroing in. Jer stretches
Peggy-O, taking 5, to pop the clutch on the set.
Minglewood has the Denver Girls and The T for...oops the verse is missed, with the last verse played twice.
From the Heart of Me is the 1st one and had just been written for the upcoming album. There would only be 29 in the next 6 months.
Jack Straw, like the rest of the set is average '78.
Second Set. The 1st
Shakedown Street is peppy and short. They would slot it all over the place by year's end - encore, show opener, but mostly the middle of the 2nd set - though it was in this position again in San Diego. Jer is ready to aggro-burble the end. I dig this arrangement with the jam ending. By comparison the next one, in Egypt, loses tempo the whole way and stretches 15mins, with the newer conclusion.
Good Lovin' plays off the excitement (Donna's you got-you got-you got notwithstanding).
Ship of Fools is solid with a nice tempo.
Samson has Jer's most breathless playing of the night; seat-of-the-pants and getting better and better. The tempo is also good for an otherwise middling
Terrapin>Playing. Drums are long, indulgent, and redolent of Hare Krsnas at the airport (look it up, kids).
Space is used to practice the Ollin Arageed riff, to be brought to Egypt.
Black Peter is a strong version, with good end jam and Donna, but they're just not on the same page for
Sugar Magnolia. Before
Johnny B. Goode, Bobby mentions that this was their 5th show in 10 months in Denver. Indeed, it was also the start of greater frequency in Colorado. Encore sources are poor but Jer and Keith play it well. A 2hr set and with a better-sounding SBD.
1st Set: C+
2nd Set: C+
Overall = 3 stars
Highlights:
Shakedown Street - 1st one and worth hearing
Samson & Delilah - some breathless playing
SOURCES: There's finally a version with the missing songs (incl. From the Heart of Me). The
miller.125882 is patched, pitch-corrected, complete and higher fidelity. The 1st set is still problematic but better. Viva la Carlos Miller!
@boscomorgan - so yr saying (in ALL CAPS): click "Add Review", title the review, write out a review of the show in the Review box, rate the show, click the Submit Review button, but DON'T review or rate the show? Should we also just assume every show was rehearsed and identical?
@Greyfoldedsom - thanx for sharing