Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Here Comes Sunshine
2. Big River
3. Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodleloo
4. Weather Report Suite
5. Big Railroad Blues
6. Playing in the Band

Disc 2:

1. He's Gone
2. Truckin'
3. Nobody's Fault But Mine
4. Jam
5. Other One
6. Jam
7. Stella Blue
8. Around and Around

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #85347 in Music
• Released on: 1973-12-19
• Number of discs: 2
• Format: Live

Customer Reviews

Big Night in '73.
Initially, DPs were not entire shows, but only excerpts of shows. In some ways this is a better approach and DP # 1 is a good example of how enjoyable a cd of the highlights only can be. Of course, the truest of true DHs will take exception to this and they have their point -- they want the historical record, every drop of blood please, warts and all.

Anyway, this two disc DP was recorded in December 1973 around the time of the Wake of the Flood album. We find our heros commencing with a great Here Comes Sunshine that is indicative of the entire first cd -- full of energy and rocking in a way that the Dead sometimes did not produce on any given night. Energized versions of Big River and Miss. Half Step follow. Ms. Godchaux is not present on this night and we are treated better for it as PITB is easy on the vocals resulting in a 20 minute, stripped down jamming affair all the way.

The only surprising down note is on a fairly un-energized and pretty mediocre He's Gone to start the second cd. It's a great tune, but not a great performance here, but thereafter the energy returns as our heros knock out great versions of Truckin, Nobody's Fault and an Other One Jam to knock your socks off -- with an incredibly spacey interlude before performing possibly the most powerful Stella Blue that I've heard.

All in all a fast paced and auspicious start to the DP series --the vocals are spot on (mostly) and Jerry sounds great on guitar. Highly recommended.

Jammin' Jerry
If you're into extended Jerry jams-----this CD is a winner.
On CD 1, two songs: Here Comes Sunshine and Playing In the Band,
both have a little bit of vocals with long & strong Jerry jams.
If you're looking for just Jerry jamming, don't worry about the
bit o' vocals on these tracks. The jams are so fine that the vocals don't distract at all...in fact they're quite enjoyable.
On CD 2 there are 2 outright jams with no vocals. The first one
is vintage Jerry guitar and great; the second one is a psychedelic spacy weird thing...also great.

aquired taste
To appreciate the dead, you need to sit back, close your eyes and listen. This cd is incredible but if listened to only in passing it can go unnoticed. There is no hit song, just a flow that needs patience to appreciate.