Bouncy as it is lysergic. Unique phrasing from Jerry. Everybody’s vocals are on. The Rider is some pure country fried jamming if I’ve ever heard it.

This is The Dead at peak performance level. Cataclysmic version. Everyone is ON. Explorative and not a beat missed. Easily top 5 of 69.

Nice early electric version. Always preferred this key for Dire Wolf compared to when they changed it in the later years. Just right. Nice version.

Takes you right to Chicago. Jerry’s playing emulates the blues greats. Hard rocking version that reminds me of a Junior Wells cut. Highly recommend.

Haunting organ playing. Crystalline and psychedelic early version that feels very spacey. Great vocal delivery.

Big River is one of those songs where I think Jerry’s playing really really shines. I love it when he gets bluesy and plays around with common melodic ideas in a very unique and timeless way. This version is fun. I’ve lately found that some of these 80s shows are some of the best musicianship I’ve heard from the Dead just because they’ve got so many years of experience under their belt, it’s all about the anticipation of what they’re going to do next. A balancing act of sorts, and that’s what this Big River reminds me of. Walking the tightrope in the circus of life. Maybe I’m being dramatic, but this version along side 8/13/75 are just some of Jerry’s best playing period.

This version has grown a lot on me. Jerry’s playing is superbly unique and ferocious especially towards the end. The whole band is just completely locked in, a time where the music plays the band and I feel that they really embodied “Cassidy” An overall powerful and passionate version.

This is heady!! Phil and Bill have a really beautiful conversation during this jam. The whole band is just on, an inverse Dark Star if you will. Super super interesting themes here! Very powerful and spiritual. 73 really laid the foundation for 74 in so many unique ways. 73 is a super psychedelic year for the boys.

My other favorite inverted Dark Star is 12/15/72 with one of the best jam sequences of all time going right into a dwarf sized Dark Star that takes you right into its core. For this version, the transition into Sing me Back Home after such a hyper elastic jam is truly a thing to behold.

Jerry takes the lead during the jam and he does not disappoint. Really explosive playing with ever changing psychedelic and explorative musicianship. Jerry’s en fuego, seriously, killer licks on this one.