Most Promised Land openers were energetic and showed the band was ready to play

Adventurous full suite

Great transition from Smokestack/ harmonica works well

Ah, early '71

Just what I needed

There's at least another version with that riff... it'll come to me. Might even be before MNS. Anyway, +1 here.

Great summation -- and that bulldozer's RPMs are jacked... and off course there's no muffler.

Those sustained, positively wailing notes practically weep as they are cast out into the listening space, electric colored arrows one after another. Phil’s interplay circa 4:10 is so welcomed, being quickly devoured by the band as they continue to elevate their game. Open, choppy strumming hints at possible entry, as do a few bass hits, yet the contemplative circling ensues, stirred both by the muse of playing and the music itself. As the quieter, deconstructive segment disentangles itself, the beginnings of a long, happy falling emerges, eventually building to those leads that both hold the moment and send it cascading into the two-chord, Dark Star lock-in. And that’s only the beginning. Brilliant. Probably top five for me if I had to rank.

Phil just clobbering away throughout makes the China>Rider inseparable, much like the Cumberland two nights later. Ranking Dark Stars is difficult exercise, but a great privilege. Whatever number of votes this one gets, it’s like having a Chimay Grande Reserve on tap while you’re playing it.

Got this in a qual sbd soon after the show. Emphatically stated out of the blocks and right through to the line. Disco-schmisco - this comes right at you between the eyes.