I have this fascination with what I've heard referred to as the "2nd theme jam" in The Eleven, that little back end of the song that's still in eleven but performed quite differently from the rest of the song. It seems like early on there was nearly as much emphasis on this part of the song as there were the other sections. But it got shorter and shorter as 1969 went by, sometimes immediately steering into Lovelight or whatever intended destination. Who knows why.

I highlight this performance as it has one of it not the longest "second theme jam" segments. Clocking in at 6 minutes, it's virtually 50% of the song. It's extremely similar to the "Alligator" jam on 8/22/68, which for whatever reason was played in 11/4 but isn't really The Eleven (12/21's Alligator likely had a similar approach, the tape cut makes it hard to say for sure what was played). In the second theme jam from 9/2 Jerry even opens the jam with the exact same lick he used to usher in the "Alligator" jam on 8/22. I've always assumed that they were playing the hell out of the "2nd theme" jam at most shows in 68, sure wish we had more tapes from the era.

Durango north to Ouray is easy. It’s going south out of Ouray that the auto operator is on the outside lane, out-sloped with no guard rail, no shoulder and a 2000’ drop off. I was lucky I had not smoked any Ganga I had bought at Rocky Mountain Cannabis in Ridgway , Colorado. Sure fell in love with the beautiful Deadhead manager.
The Betty Nelson Raspberry Farm gig 52 years ago was in some ways a precursor to Veneta, Oregon four years later. The influence of bands like the Dead, Jefferson Airplane and Quicksilver Messenger Service for creating fertile ground for the sub-culture in the Pacific Northwest cannot be over emphasized. The great northwest tour of February 1968 helped to create a path with no turning back.
The sound quality of this recording is fantastic. September Grateful Dead concerts seemed to have a freshness to them. Maybe it was all the fresh H.G.

Every American should be required to listen to this show on
High volume, while tilted, in a decent touring automobile, while descending the red pass between Durango and Ouray, Colorado. Part of the citizen test, part of the coming of age. What a wonderful world it would be. Love 9/2/68, so much.

Highlights: Caution, Feedback

5

Electric!

There's nothing better than a show like this where the band is firing on all six cylinders. The vocals are a tad low but it hardly matters for these songs (Death Don't is missing).

This show is right smack in the middle of that period where Bobby and Pigpen were allegedly getting heat from Jerry (and the rest of the band?) for failing to bring the goods on a regular basis, not practicing enough, not being serious enough ... or something. I've listened to everything in the Archive from the summer of '68 and for the life of me I can't detect any problem. On the contrary, just listen to Bobby and Pig at this show! Crazy stuff. IMHO, the next shows that most consistently reach the heights heard here are the Avalon 10-12-68 and the Silver Dollar Faire in Chico 11-1-68 (with the Chico being the most "hairy" of the three).

This is one powerful/PRIMAL set. Outstanding audio quality. Thank you C. Miller!

One of the best Dark Stars of the year, from one of the best shows of the year! Gotta get this essential upgrade.

This recording may not sound perfect, but it is so much better than the other ones from this date. It is a gem from 1968. Thanks for all the hard work and skill put into this!