It's almost as good as the Days Between from their first performance at the Avalon Ballroom in 1966, almost.

This was both: my first Grateful Dead show & the first time I ever heard Victim or the Crime. I very clearly and L25 vividly remember walking down the bleachers into the floor at intermission and a drum circle popping up out of the blue right where I was. Being my very first Dead show, I was thoroughly enjoying this drum circle on the floor of the UNLV football stadium. Then, as the boys came onstage, the drums (from the drum circle) disappeared and the band began their 2nd set opener. Almost immediately after that first distortion-heavy B5 chord blasted through the speakers, I recall lots of Deadheads all around me complaining and cursing Bobby for singing this song. I remember, specifically one guy saying, "how dare he (Bob W) sing this song while standing next to Jerry?" Because I had never heard the song before, I had no idea as to why the hatred towards this song. Then, when Bob sings that first line, IT ALL MADE SENSE. Nonetheless, it was a killer performance and briefly I questioned whether I was at a Grateful Dead show or a Metallica show because of how heavy this song is. I slowly danced my way back to my seat in the bleachers, but ever since then, I've loved this song. I believe it's one of their darkest numbers and it's one where Jerry really drags us into the depths of hell with his haunting guitar melodies during the solos. Definitely one of Bob's greatest works (but also very controversial). This version, I still believe, is one of their best. It's a must listen. There are some other great performances from this night, like the Morning Dew as well as the Terrapin & All Along the Watchtower.

This is THE definitive Days Between that should be recommended to anyone who wants to listen to this song. Polished like a golden bowl, the finest ever seen. I was at this show, which had its ups & downs but Days was definitely the highest peak of the night. Jerry was definitely ON during this song, you can hear him pour his soul into it, both with his vocals & his guitar playing. The rest of the band is right there with him, thus making this a most excellent performance. Gave the best we had to give, how much we'll never know.

06-09-1977 is my favorite show and a big reason for that is the Help>Slip>Franklin from this show. I've been told everything is just exactly perfect, so we'll go on.