Inspired by the DS>Stephen>11>Cumberland sequence from the Dave’s 10 bonus disc I put on the Dave’s 6 DS>Stephen>11>New Speedway sequence again. But to follow the Dave 6, I had to put on some Bobby Hutcherson lest I fall into an infinite loop.
5/23/72 Dark Star to gain some perspective on life & music. And as great as the 73-74 shows on the new box are, these E72 Stars are the greatest pieces of music the Dead ever played.
Maybe. Maximum Keithess had not yet been achieved. They played stuff in 73 and 74 that was inconceivable in 72. For me to say 72 was the best, I have to look at the E72 tour as a whole, as you basically just did. I'm trying not to agree with you, but am anyway.
All true. Keith in 73 & 74 was world class pianism. However the power and vibe of these 72 Stars (and some of the TOO’s) is unmatched. I also have to be in a Dark Star mode to listen to them. Thankfully I’m usually in that mode
It's worth noting that Keith was great during the 1972 European tour. The mixes of the porch crusher don't make him justice, unfortunately. Right now, listening to some more '77: 5/19/77, Fox Theatre, Atlanta (taken from the marvelous DP 29). Terrapin Station > Playing in the Band> Uncle John's Band> Drums> The Wheel> China Doll"> Playing in the Band One of the most glorious segues in Dead history (The transition from "Playing" to "Uncle John" is amazing).
It would be a fine public service for somebody to rank the 22 Europe ’72 shows by the excellence and audibility of Keith Godchaux’s playing.
Possibly the best show of the year. The run from 5-19 to 5-22 is almost certainly the best three-show run of the tour.
He's good all over. It's true that he became a more integral part of the band's sound during from 1973 on, but he was already adding so much to the band during the European tour!
I have all of the Dark Stars but I think I’m missing the following important jams/long songs: Playing in the Band: missing 4/8, 4/21 (both versions but I’ve watched it numerous times), 5/3 (yes I’m missing this show although I’m going to double check tonight), 5/10 & 5/16. The Other One - includes Truckin’ and other related things that surround it or precede it: missing 4/21, 5/3, 5/10, 5/16 & 5/24. I guess this tells me I need to find 5/3, 5/10, 5/16 & 5/24 post haste!!! Lots of 5/3 & 5/24 are on compilations but 5/10 is a big hole for me! I’m still missing a few shows. I’m only really irritated due to missing the above!!
5/10 is a killer, particularly the Truckin'>The Other One>Me and Bobby McGee>The Other One>Wharf Rat. In my opinion, one of the best segments in the whole tour. The mighty acoustics of the Concertgebouw were really inspiring for the band (anyway, back then, a college cafeteria was enough to set the band's creative force on fire).
So I'm still in awe at my PNW box. It seems like every box is getting better. Anyone have any thoughts on which boxes you think are the best (aesthetically or content-wise) and which you think are the worst? PNW's gotta be at the top of the heap, no?
Oh god, just got the call we are going out on the road - FOR REAL THIS TIME I SWEAR - tomorrow or Saturday. We've had so many ups and downs and close calls and "we are driving for them, oh wait nevermind" in the last 3 and a half months. This time its for real and I'm freaking out. I'm super excited, but I'm also extremely anxious (for no good reason). I'm always fine once we actually get in the truck and go, but all the buildup to leaving and the "gotta get things ready" and everything...it's like slowly climbing a rollercoaster and it makes me super nervous. I'm not gonna sleep good tonight (even though I need to). Oh jeez oh jeez. Any good Truckin's you guys have heard lately to get me in the mood?
Another truly great post-hiatus version is 2/5/78 plus it’s paired with maybe the best post-hiatus Other One as well. If I recall correctly, they hit that jam peak twice instead of the usual one time. Am I right about that or is it a different 1978 version???
