This show has the goods both sound wise as well as being so laid back it fools the 73 neophyte.
Back in the day my go to was 2/15/73 on cassette.
This is every bit the peach.

Set Two
Very Tight Ramble On Rose
Garcia really bringing the lyrics.
Me & My Uncle-Weir could do this tune sleepwalking
yet it is not a throw-away.
Tune became weaker when it became a cowboy double shot, also got buried in the 1st set.
A very distinctive Jerry string bending
Here Comes Sunshine.
update to avoid 'HCS' tape issues at end of tune
https://archive.org/details/gd1973-12-06.132361.sbd.miller.flac16
Still can't believe tune spent so many years shelved.
easily one of my favorite versions.
BIG RIVER- always seemed like this song is in the middle of really big jams during the period 73 to 76
My thoughts on this D-Star:
As laid back as the entire evening!
There is the famous story about Garcia asking
for downs in code but locals showed up with speed.
You have to have the Blues
to live the blues
and play the blues
can't fake the blues
PIG had the blues
Garcia had the blues.
Brent had the blues
Grateful Dead have dem blues..
Weir gave the local Phillies the blues.

Do you know according to Scripture
Angels don't actually sing.
that is the domain of humanity
we are the only creatures
who the ALMIGHTY has granted redemption
after the fall (Thru the blood of Jesus)

jam into the D-Star
almost feels like how they roll into China Doll
or one of the other ballads in 1973.

"we go forward thru time portals
we don't go backwards
because that moment is gone."
c. freedom

The space jams inside the Dark Star and Other Ones
are pretty intense late 73
we would get the full on NED for 1974
respect his contributions
but not sure it always worked seamlessly like
these 73 shows.
I certainly give credit to NED
for being the genesis of those wild SPACE
jams the boys would explore in the 80's
some night it was like the end of the world
or at least the end of my world.

I am yearning to hear Donna is this EYES
Just a little melancholy heading into Slipknot jam
as DJG is off somewhere getting big & round

Pretty STELLA
in the 80's this became a little pedestrian
but it certainly does shine in 73.
Sugar Magnolia-Weir's best closer.

So what else could the Grateful Dead
have brought to the table this evening?
it was a 5 star show then
It is a 5 star show now
It will be a 5 star show until sunlight fails and darkness moves on.

For all your words, quinn_76!, this is simply a wonderful show, and a great recording for '73. Simply put, this show is super-fun, and just a BLAST to listen too.
I just paused Mickey hart's brand new, and sonically intense RAMU to listen to this show. Mickey can wait. This show is too much fun.

Here's hoping I don't incur too much wrath here, but I have to respectfully disagree with all that's been said about this show, (“deadheaddave”'s below review notwithstanding). Indeed, it is '73 Dead (and even some of the worst played shows of '73 can still hold a robust candle to several top-shelf shows played from other years (even ’72 & ’77) in the Dead's stupendous catalog. Still, one has to give credit where credit is due… and offer constructive criticism when due.

To start, the first set of this show in Cleveland offers a standard menu of ditties that are played with an underwhelming level of gusto and inspiration, all things being equal. Allow me to cherry-pick a few numbers from the first set to illustrate my point. Not unlike many folks, I love the TLEO’s of '73, but this one feels sluggish and phoned-in, and is far inferior to others played this year (look to 2/15, 3/22, 9/7, 11/9, 11/30 for examples). Bobby Ace's seemingly strained vocals on GSET are not his best offering, and the ending segment of the song never quite broaches the jamming apex of other versions of the year (2/26 & 11/9 come to mind). The CHINA->RIDER paring to close the first set is executed pleasantly enough, but can one name one in '73 that isn’t? (And there are far superior versions offered from the year: 3/22, 3/16, 11/11, 11/14 come directly to mind....)

The second set (not surprisingly) offers more ear glitter than the first, but still ultimately leaves something to be desired—based on all the hype it gets. In order to avoid filibustering the obvious point of discussion for this set, I'll be curt and address the elephant in the room: DARK STAR! Clocking in at nearly 44 minutes, this version on the surface should be every Head's wet dream, and then some. Well… perhaps. Although this particular DS far & away exceeds its quota in terms of length, that doesn't necessary mean it does so in terms of performance. I’m of the persuasion that the long-winded duration and over-hyped chitter-chatter have blindsided some listener’s objective judgment. Get the cotton of yer ears folks! Yes, it’s a very long DS from the greatest band to have graced this earth, but there are many versions that should—and do—rank above this one. It should go without saying, but nevertheless I’ll divulge: 2/27/69, 2/13/70, 9/19/70, 2/18/71, 4/8/72, 5/11/72, 8/27/72, 9/21/72… to name a few). But I digress. Anyway, for this DS on this particular night, a little more focus, and a little less aimless meandering would have made this one a much stronger candidate for the best of 1973. At one point around a 1/4 of the way through this DS, Mr. Lesh tries to inject some adrenaline into this otherwise lifeless beast by plucking Phil bombs in the hopes of making something happen. It seems as if the boys begin to follow his lead, but it is only fleeting, and the half-baked jam wanders off again into a sedated directionless fixture of sound. In truth, this version never hits the peaks and valleys of other versions from this year (2/15 & 11/11 are the obvious ones, while10/19 & 12/18 deserve an honorable mention). The EYES that follows the DS, while good (even the worst Eyes of '73 is still stellar!) is nowhere near the best of the year. (Look to 2/15, 2/22, 5/26, 9/7, 10/19, 10/29, 11/11 for prime candidates).

Again, not to pee on everyone's parade here, but in a year like 1973, we all need to be ever mindful about being very objective about every show played in this incredible year. Of course, I’ll concede that this is a decent show (It's 1973, by jove!), but compared to some of its brothers & sisters of the same year, it pails IMHO.

I urge everyone to please listen objectively and perhaps you'll see my point...which is that this show seems to get inordinately praise precisely because of its extraordinarily long DARK STAR, and, in-turn, has garnered much hype, be it warranted or not.

I have a suspicion some curious listeners unfamiliar with certain shows or year(s) might stumble upon a show like this one, partly because it has so many reviews and it has attracted so much discussion that a snowball effect began to take shape. If I were less familiar was an era and was looking for a ’73 show, I might listen to this one first without having the benefit of hearing others, and be blown away by this night bar-none! After all, it’s a Grateful Dead show played in ’73, which, all told, is high caliber music. But if I had already listened to the likes of shows from 2/15, 2/19, 3/22, 3/24, 10/19, 10/21, 11/11, 11/14, 11/17, 11/30, 12/2, 12/18, 12/19… well… well…

But each to his/her own. My two cents on this one has been written. BTW, this show is only the second most overrated show of ’73 IMHO… the prize for #1 goes to 6/10!

Be kind, love thy neighbor, and listen to the Grateful DEAD!

p.s. All grievances aside, I must mention the HERE COMES SUNSHINE from this night. This version is one to behold, indeed! This one should be placed among the likes of 12/19, 11/30 & 11/17.

crunchy and yet warm recording of a pristine performance. Godchaux's playing actually outshine's Garcia's in places (check out Deal & Greatest Story), and the latter's is excellent.

Grate sound and Playin',not sure why Deadbase IX does not have the entire setlist in the book for this show hope this is all from this night.nice little Warf rat tease before eyes.thanx to all involved Grateful (~;}

This is a great show top to bottom. Sound quality of this board absolutely golden. I love this tour.

However, I need to point out that the HCS from Boston Garden 4-2-73 is 20:27. It is one of the greatest and most intense jams ever. From Sunshine, through the darkness and out into Bobby McGee. Check it out.

Read the other reviews.

HC Sunshine and Dark Star>Feedback> Eyes all with their 879 different tones reaching the zenith of human emotion = immaculate.

this little major key jam sandwiched in china rider is among the best of that 73/74 period

I created a CD of the best Songs of '73 -- my idea was to make something similar to the Europe '72 and Steppin' Out CD collections. Well, after listening carefully to them all, I chose this Here Comes Sunshine as the best of '73 (and along with the 2/23/74 Winterland show, the BEST H.C. Sunshine ever).

If you haven't heard this you owe it to yourself to have a listen. Always brings a smile to my face. Truly magnificent interplay between Jerry & Bob and just when you think they've exhausted the melody and will wind things up, Jerry takes it up a notch into another dimension.

Don't miss it!

If you want a truly great Dark Star though check out Empire Wembley Pool 4/8/72 (on the Steppin' Out CD), or the 2/27/69 ("Live Dead" DS), the 3/1/69 Fillmore West DS, or 11/2/69 Family Dog at the Great Highway DS -- to name just a few of the truly great Dark Stars.

Best. Dark. Star.

Ever.

Phil and Keith bring it.

Super HCS too - a NoCal sunshine daydream.

No need to add to what's already been said about this show in the previous seed. This source is louder and cleaner, though the other one wasn't too bad to begin with.

Thanks!