1973-03-28 - Springfield Civic Center

Venue: Springfield Civic Center - Springfield, MA
Tape History: SBD
Release History: None

Set 1
*Cumberland Blues, *Here Comes Sunshine, Mexicali Blues, Wave That Flag, BIODTL, *Loser, Jack Straw, Box Of Rain, They Love Each Other, El Paso, *Row Jimmy, Around And Around, Brown-Eyed Women, You Ain't Woman Enough, Looks Like Rain, *China Cat Sunflower -> *I Know You Rider

Set 2
Promised Land, Loose Lucy, Me & My Uncle, Don't Ease Me In, The Race Is On, *Stella Blue, Big River, Half-Step, *WRS Prelude -> *Dark Star -> *Eyes Of The World -> *Playin' In The Band, Johnny B. Goode

Comments:
11-29-2010: I know, I know. Just starting the site out and already two 1973 shows? Can't help it, it's arguably the Dead's most consistent and amazing year. I know I haven't touched the big '73 gigs (02-15, 05-26, 11-11, etc), only gems for now. Sometimes the lesser known shows serve as a useful tool to put shows and tours in perspective.

Big surprise to open with "Cumberland." Kicks the proceedings off with strong energy. Following up with "HCS" was very smart, given how transformative this tune became throughout the year. I'd go out on a limb and say that this was one of the first great versions of the year. (I'm fully aware that 02-15 is real gnarly as well.) Interesting bass sounds from Phil at the end of "HCS," sliding down the fretboard. His harmonic lines with Bob are on point. Love this version, though it's short compared to many other strong takes. First three cuts find Jerry in fine form, sharp tone ever-present. "Wave That Flag" pre-"U.S. Blues" lyrics is always hilarious. Got to admit though, that chorus is quintessential Dead. The first set remains song-centric, with a few longer excursions ("Row Jimmy," "Loser," and "Looks Like Rain.") Jerry's first solo in "Loser" matches the intensity and piercing tone from the 09-21-72 and Barton Hall versions. Strong playing by everyone in "China" -> "Rider."

Not gonna lie: second set looks just like a regular '73 first set would up until "Dark Star." (I was going to say "Stella Blue," since that tune is a second set regular as a landing patch or "everything's going to be okay" spot. But "Dark Star" easily draws the line.) "WRS Prelude" -> "Dark Star" is completely unexpected and very tasty, with big jam sections, and peaking solos by Jerry; it's not a deep space tune until nine minutes left. I refuse to call this '73 sound "jazzy" because there is nothing jazzy about it. I think it's a lazy crutch to describe the band's sound in this year. When they're jamming, it's fluid, open, controlled but expansive, and altogether fearless. This "Dark Star" has all of it. It's the best "Dark Star" of the year, with 11-11 coming in second. The transition into "Eyes" feels like an exhalation after the high concentration jamming. I can't believe they actually closed the show with "Dark Star" -> "Eyes" -> "Playin'." One the hardest-hitting jam segments this band ever put together. I give it a strong recommendation only for that, but truthfully, the feeble and bewildering first half of set two is enough to keep it from greatness. That's 1973 for you, adventurous, anything-goes jamming with sometimes odd setlist construction. There are other spring shows (02-09, 02-15, 05-26) that stand out as Lightning Skull gigs more than this one. This is still a solid companion piece to the more well-known early '73 shows.

1973-10-25 - Dane County Coliseum

Venue: Dane County Coliseum - Madison, WI
Tape History: SBD
Release History: None









Set 1
*Bertha, *Big River, *Here Comes Sunshine, Black-Throated Wind, They Love Each Other, Mexicali Blues, TN Jed [missing from tape], Looks Like Rain [missing from tape], Deal [missing form tape], El Paso, Row Jimmy, *Playin' In The Band

Set 2
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider, Me & My Uncle, *Dark Star -> *MLB Jam -> *Dark Star -> *Eyes Of The World -> *Stella Blue, *WRS Prelude -> *WRS Part One -> *Let It Grow -> GDTRFB -> Saturday Night, E: Uncle John's Band

Comments:
11-23-2010: This tape was my very first fall 1973 show. Maybe that's why it holds a special place for me. It takes a little while for the soundboard recording to really hit its groove. There are audible jumps here and there, and Phil is barely there until maybe halfway through "Bertha." There are many shows (and some would argue setlist construction) where the ebb and flow of a set will incorporate slower tunes between big jams, usually as a way to regain energy. Here the band had energy to spare and piled it on with no reservations. I'd also like to note a phrase I use in these reviews. Big jams often have soft landing points, i.e., "Black Peter," "Stella Blue," "China Doll," "Wharf Rat," et. al. I call these "everything is going to be okay" moments because they bring us back to Earth in a reassuring way after an intense sequence. This show has one of those moments.

The "Bertha," "Big River" opening tunes are inspired versions, Jerry soloing with purpose, creating hard, peaking melodic phrases. As far as "Berthas" go, only 08-06-1971 has a similar, angular and tense solo section from Jerry. The tone-setting "Bertha" should be a sign that the Dead were starting shit and taking names. Phil's inspired in "Sunshine." Bummer that the three tunes are missing from an otherwise grade A first set. "Playin'" goes off into space with Captain Jerry showing the way. Not the farthest out played in the fall of '73, but a solid version nonetheless.

Dynamic rhythm playing by Bob in the "China Cat" jam before "Rider," where Jerry mostly laid out as Bob did his chordal-based soloing. This is definitely uncommon, but it works! The "Dark Star" and "MLB Jam" sandwich is proof of exactly what this band is about. Inventive improvisations, where the band is pushing and pulling against each other, discovering new realms and creating indelible spontaneous compositions. Jerry and Bill, and Phil to a lesser extent, are the main instigators. (This show is yet another piece of evidence suggesting that the Dead were at their best with just Bill on the drums.) The feedback and tense guitar scales send the "Dark Star" out to the far reaches of the universe. Scary. In the role of "everything's going to be okay," we get a stellar "Eyes," with Phil and Jerry on fire. I loved how Jerry and Bob were on the same page with the "Eyes" intro, as Phil and Bill hit the root note and snare drum, respectively, in unison a few seconds later. Talk about being in the zone. This mind-bending sequence segues perfectly into a gorgeous "Stella Blue." Oh, and they play the "WRS" afterward. What a show! Dick Latvala called it "one of the all-time, out-of-this-world kind of shows...the most uncompromising show in GD history perhaps." By the way, as if ending with "WRS" isn't enough, you get a barn-burning "GDTRFB" and a "Saturday Night." An unforgettable night where the energy and drive to explore never lagged. I cannot recommend this show enough.

Bertha

Let It Grow