The audience recording that I listened to highlights the nuances very well until Phil turns that bass up, which tends to max out the levels on the tape – this is all fun and games here, and it’s probably a good rendering of having your chest caved in at the Greek. What’s noticeable here is the band’s energy, which is very high for the era, and the quality of the playing, which is likewise superb. Compared to the other two days of the run, this lengthy show has the reputation as the “party” show, full of great short songs and rockers but not larded with jams, and that description is pretty apt. The Dead hadn’t played the Greek Theater, a gorgeous classical amphitheater on the campus of the University of California, since the 1960’s when they showed up for the three day run of shows in 1981 that culminate in today’s performance. If you’ve never heard it before, you’re in for a treat. You won’t hear the Dead in better 1976 form than in this show. After a long winded Dancin’ in the Streets we finally complete our journey back home with Playin’ in the Band to end the night. Jerry is in beautiful voice, the soloing is perfect, and this audience recording lets you hear every note cut right through the hall like a laser into your soul.Īfter a minor league Drums the Dead throw us a fastball – a souped up Eyes of the World that is as blazing as those from the early 80’s, but oh so much more in control – the boys are playing off of each other like they were born together and they never lose momentum even as the jam spins further and further into one of those only in 1976 interactions between Keith and everyone else that always seemed to drive the most interesting nights of this year. From there we get Samson and Delilah, which, if you are not familiar with 1976, you wouldn’t assume would be a jam launcher, but, once again, in 1976 strange things happen, and the boys kill it for five extra minutes of high test fusion at the end of the song before playing what to me is one of the best, if not the best, versions of Comes a Time you’re ever going to get. Like Let It Grow, The Wheel is one of those songs that really oozes 1976 goodness, and this effort is one smooth operation. The second act is one huge Playin’ in the Band sandwich, starting with a brilliant version of that song and moving into a simply perfect The Wheel. But sliding into Going Down the Road Feeling Bad makes it even better – this is a classic version, played a little slower than in previous years, but with enough speed to make your heart race when Jerry starts ripping off runs. Let It Grow is one of those 1976 songs that just seems to get twisted and pulled into a thousand amazing directions over the course of the year, and tonight’s version is pure gold. But once you hit the exceptional Friend of the Devil, all bets are off, because it is followed by a truly outrageous Let It Grow>Going Down the Road Feeling Bad. Yes, they are all good songs and are definitely worth hearing, but the band isn’t doing anything here that they aren’t doing on any other “on” night in 1976. I really enjoy this show, and have for years, but, frankly, if you’re pressed for time you can pretty much skip over the first eight songs of the night. (Please pay close attention to his discussion of the difference between soundboard and audience recordings in 1976). Remember – you’ll want to get two fingers under the collar when it’s on, so take that into account.This show is another in a long line of amazing Dead concerts that I learned about through the Grateful Dead Listening Guide – please check out his review of this night as it is going to be much more informative than mine. If you don’t have one- use a piece of string, and measure that. We recommend using a soft measuring tape. Large: 20″ – 32″ f its common breeds: Bernese Mountain Dog, Great Dane, Mastiff, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard, Newfoundland Medium: 15″ – 24″ fits common breeds: Boxer, Dalmatian, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Weimaraner Small: 10″ – 16″ fits common breeds: Beagle, Border Collie, Boston Terrier, English Bulldog, French Bulldog
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