Of all of the music that the Dead put out into the world, the music of 1973 may very well be my favorite. There is just something so enchanting about the sound that the band was putting out every night. The mix of jazz, rock and roll, country and psychedelia combined to make something truly unique. There is so much great music in this year but here we are going to focus on the summer of 1973. This show is the middle night of a three night run that truly stands out to me as a shining example of what the Dead were all about during 1973. There is less of a meandering psychedelic feel and more of a jazzy forthrightness to the music played on this night. The versions of Playin’, Dark Star and Eyes of the World seem more focused and are actually relatively short versions for this year. The jams held within these songs however are nothing short of magical. Please join me while we travel back in time 36 years to a night of music that has been preserved for us by the Dead’s crew themselves. The crew was taping AUD tapes directly at the soundboard at this time. The reel for this tape was dubbed directly from Garcia’s stash in 1979 and the sound is incredible. Garcia would have been 67 years old this month. Let’s remember him for the genius that he was with the music that made up his life.
A standard looking first set on paper belies the wonders beneath. As Jerry’s guitar soars through the solo’s in TLEO, Keith’s piano twinkles underneath. Tennessee Jed and Looks Like Rain have Jerry all over the fret board searching for the perfect note. He unerringly finds it and we are treated to some pure moments of musical clarity. As the Bird Song unfolds Jerry’s guitar floats weightlessly and Keith’s piano melds perfectly to create a soundscape of near perfect beauty. Jerry’s harmonics bring us back to earth as the final verse comes around and then we are set aloft again as the song works it’s magic. The Cumberland Blues that follows is the perfect blend of psychedelia and bluegrass. This is a pure Grateful Dead song born from the very heart of Americana. This is truly one of the best versions of this song that I have ever heard and I found myself playing it over and over again. Phil is dropping bombs as Jerry truly explores the rabbit hole with syncopated intensity. Black Peter is picture perfect; the song of a dying man sung by one of the greatest emotive singers of our time. Jerry’s solo echoes the emotion of his vocals and the song ends with a collective sigh of relief from the audience. A person can only take so much emotion in one song. As Playin’ spirals out into the stratosphere and Billy kicks into his zone, Jerry, Phil, Keith and Bobby weave a tapestry of sound that rivals most longer versions of Playin’ from this year. The intensity is fever pitch and the jam seems as if it could go on forever. It ends earlier than anticipated and the set ends with an exuberant crowd urging the boys on.
The Greatest Story second set opener explodes out of the gate. The band is firing on all cylinders and Jerry’s playing is truly inspired. Ramble On Rose is another pure Americana song and is one of my true favorites. This version does not disappoint. Dark Star begins to weave its spell on the audience and stays true to its central theme throughout most of the song. Dark Star turns off many people as it can get into some very serious psychedelic spaces. This version certainly gets strange but out of the dissonance we hear Jerry strumming the chords to Eyes. What a glorious version this is! Very concrete in its delivery yet so very satisfying. The song does not lose itself as it shimmers and weaves through the central theme and into the 7/8 sections. As the song winds down, we have Keith, Phil and Billy sharing the spotlight as the rest of the band holds back. The softness of the sound boggles my mind. That this band can reach such explosive heights yet play so softly and delicately; magic. Then we go right back into the 7/8 theme one more time. This is pure Grateful Dead. This is why I listen to all of these shows folks. These moments right here. Beautiful. Jerry croons a beautiful Stella Blue before the show ends with a rocking Sugar Mags and One More Saturday Night.
I have previously reviewed the following night, 07/01/73. We may get 06/29 in here some day too. This music speaks for itself. Pick any night from 1973 and you will not be disappointed. On many nights the Dead were purely magical. This is just another one of many. But oh how fun they are to find! Happy Listening!

Great recording, good show.

An exceptional recording..always been a favorite SBD but this is almost too much...Row Jimmy!