The first night at the Cap is also the first of eight shows in metro NYC (and then New Haven is close by, to those owning a car). Each show of this three-night run is great. On this show, Keith plays piano, but also synth tones that he rarely used, and one of several centerpiece jams that has them excited is the then-new Fire on the Mountain, part of a 21-song setlist.

First Set. Minglewood is a fine launch, but they really go nuts on this early-slot Deal, and the set never looks back. Check for great drumming in Mama Tried. The next few are above average (for spring '77 standards). Peggy-O is one of the longest @9 mins; steady if standard (SBDs are incomplete). Lazy Lightnin'>Supplication is rough in a few rough spots, but hardly detracts. Estimated is the 8th one, exciting, and just a little different sounding in its early slot. Brown Eyed Women is just so good, that you can focus on the great ensemble playing or just one player. The same is true for Music Never Stopped. Where should you look? There's so much happening, but I really like 3:20>4:10; Phil makes these high bass notes, Jer runs forwards and backwards through scales, then Keith comes in with squishy synth tones.

Second Set. Though Scarlet is a ripper version, I particularly dig the end of the jam – the last min before the first Fire chords – where Jer plays a variation on the MLB theme. Fire on the Mountain is just the 4th one, with some cool parts, some searching around, some flubs. The monumental ones are a few weeks away, but Samson is already there; one of the best ever, plus Phil is amazing. The same is true for this A+ Terrapin. The 7th one ever, it's briskly-tempo'd perfection, and Donna is great [the end is missing on SBDs]. There are some nice sections in Playin', but the rest of the set is "merely good" (this is spring '77, so...). Wharf Rat has a flubby first half, saved by a cool jam. With its hefty crescendo into a reprise, it's one of the longest ever. U.S. Blues is not the tightest, but the cheery, raucous energy sets 'em all up for a happy exit.

1st Set:  A-
2nd Set: B
Overall = 4½ stars

Highlights:
Deal - early slottage fuse-lighter
Mama Tried – great drumming
Estimated Prophet – exciting, just a little different
Brown Eyed Women – on one player or all
Music Never Stopped – Phil makes...Jer runs...Keith squishes
Scarlet Begonias – verses, plus MLB, into Fire
Samson & Delilah – Dr. Phil buoys one of best ever
Terrapin Station – briskly tempo'd perfection

SOURCES: The 141903_s1_sbd has the first set in best available SBD quality. The symons_15879 has the most listenable second set, though still muffled, and runs slow, needing pitch correction of +1.5%. The 130529_MrBill is washed out and also runs too slow. The AUD has microphonics and digital artifacts, and runs slow, mostly needing +1% pitch. 30 Trips has the whole show in clarity, including uncut versions of Peggy-O, Terrapin & Playing. The show is also on a 4-record, vinyl breakout (with great cover art). Estimated is on Definitive Live.