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.

Bubbling is certainly the word. The beginning is honestly quite peaceful and sharp. I love the mini MLB jam that danced around the Dark Star theme for only a short time. After the verse we go into electrical Nubian landscapes. This makes my head feel like a balloon that’s just waiting to pop at any moment(in a good way of course). There are little warps of electricity that express a feeling of peaking through and seeing too much. Especially here it seemed like the band ventured far and far and far and had lost a piece of themselves in the process. To express such primal emotions through electronic sound waves conjures feelings of existential dread. Electrical warps envelope the mind in a frenzy as it’s up to Billy to pull us out of that electric waking nightmare. The day is saved, a jump back into reality. Time to boogie down to Eyes of the World. WHAT a ride. Who knows if the band ever recovered after those 2 nights in Florida.

Such vigor from Bobby on this one. If there was ever a definitive version for me besides gems such as 6/18/74 and 6/28/74, this would be it. Love Phil introducing the song and from there there’s such focus and power within this performance. Bobby’s confidence is infectious and the whole band is just ripping. A celestial invitation that guides you towards Dark Star. I like how Jerry starts Dark Star as well because it just seems like he’s ready to jump into space time. An all timer performance.

Sounds like Trumpets from Hell. Jerry at one point channeling Miles through his guitar with that screeching vortex beam that he plays. Especially in the beginning you can hear the effect the Miles Davis electric era has had on the Band. The band is melting and altering brain chemistry with this one, just utterly dark and lysergic. Feels structured in an odd way despite how free form it is. Shades of Sun Ra towards the end as well. Just a brutal version that follows brilliantly from Nobody's fault but Mine into a much needed, tranquil yet powerful, self reflective Stella Blue. A Broken Angel really sang from a guitar that night. Real mind bender.

Glad out of all the versions, this is on top. Just perfect what else is there to say. Unique.

A swirly majestic modal masterpiece of a performance. Does not lose focus at all like most Playin's and moves in and out of themes at lightning speed. Almost like they're jumping in and out of different dimensions taking a peak, just a glimpse of what's out there. Exploratory and fun. Great pick Carrion. love your reviews.