Just 20 concerts from the end of their career, the Grateful Dead turned in a fantastic performance, featuring a setlist full of 1970s jam numbers, sung and played with enthusiasm. Garcia is lit, throughout, playing enthusiastically and thoughftully, all the time, and taking advantage of his voice being in great shape. The “Fire on the Mountain” is particularly great on all fronts, including Garcia's vocal enthusiasms. Definitely a version to bookmark.
With the exception of “Eternity > Don’t Ease,” which closed the first set, the tracks on this mix are in the order played. “Help on the Way” opened the show. If you enjoy these highlights, you should check out the whole show. It’s more consistent than plenty of shows from plenty of other years – all the more surprising at such a late date.
Many thanks to Andrew Rooney @ramblinroon for turning me on to this show.
90-minute mp3 mix zipped up here
Disc One (48 minutes):
- Help on the Way > Slipknot! >
- Franklin’s Tower
- Scarlet Begonias >
- Fire on the Mountain
Disc Two (40 minutes):
- Playin’ in the Band >
- Uncle John’s Band
- Improvisation 1
- Improvisation 2
- Improvisation 3
- Eternity Jam >
- Don’t Ease Me In
Cover art: Jack Kirby & Mike Royer