Though 6/7 may be the month's best, I have a soft spot for the Alaska run. Even if they aren't landmark shows overall - especially in this year - the highlights are wonderful, and this night is the best show of the run (though the next night has the best set). Imagine seeing an early Brent in a high school auditorium with the sun up all night.

First Set. There are mix problems for the first two on the SBD (no Bobby guitar), so use an AUD. Jer completely takes off on a jump-starting Jack Straw. Even with that electric shucking there's little mental prep for this astounding Franklin's Tower that goes off early and repeatedly [still no Bobby on SBD until almost 4mins]. Now there's no stopping them through the next few. An ace Let it Grow is played (unusually) mid-set, going into an Althea. The latter is a bit spare, though the last 2mins are nice. Then the capital-X factor is over. Easy to Love You is tentative and weakened. After a Country Gardens>The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down tuning, Lost Sailor>Saint isn't bad, just flat. Deal is solid enough to wrap a bow on the second-best set of the run.

Second Set. There is some minor befuddlement in Alabama and Greatest Story, and it takes until partway through Ship of Fools (about where Jer takes a 2½min solo) to get back to the level of the first set's maximums [Bobby's dedication to bush pilots is only on vernon_20205 and Seamons MTX]. The variegated Estimated sends things as high as the Chugach once again, and just when it's obvious that Drums is coming they steer into a bonus The Other One. It too has a bit of everything. Space is just a couple mins before Not Fade tilts slightly to the wild side. That throws an extra point to the super-solid Black Peter, which also offers a superb end jam. Double berries tidy up, though the second is the champ, with great Brent for raucous closure. But wait, so as not to waste the energy they whip up one of the all-time-greatest versions of Dough Knees.

1st Set:  B+
2nd Set: B
Overall = 4¼ stars   HG

Highlights:
Jack Straw – the right AUD reveals brilliance
Franklin's Tower – goes off early and repeatedly
Mama Tried – tighter than paint
Mexicali Blues – fills the room with pungent citrics
Let it Grow – taking advantage of mid-set
Estimated Prophet>The Other One – wonderfully variegated
Black Peter – w/superb end jam
Johnny B. Goode – raucous but temporary closure
Don't Ease Me In – one of the greatest

SOURCES: The miller_113301 is the updated SBD, repitched & patched (but switch the channels and EQ the lows). For the first 1½ tracks use an AUD (144906_fob_nak700 is the upgrade). The sbd_donohue runs too slow. The hicks_1474 SBD runs way too fast. The tetzeli_fix-25468 is the repitched version of the Bertha [EQd] SBD. If the heavy-vox mix discourages, maybe try a matrix. The Seamons MTX runs slow, so try the photoleon.

Probably not CM's fault, but there are some SBDs I find totally unlistenable. The Dead's vocals (often bad, this no exception) are amplified WAY out of proportion to the instruments, so you can't even hear Jerry's playing without Bob's shouting bothering the neighbors. I'm sure it came off the board this way, but it's so pointless. Lots of clarity, but for what? No warmth, no balance...eugh! Unratable, because unlistenable.

fairly good 1st set nice f.o.t.d. no insanely standouts the 2nd set starts of hot and doesn't cool down,Grate versions of Alabama,Etimated>Other One and Black Peter oh yeah Ship is really good Jerry sounds Grate!High in the west high gym

I like this performance better than the following night (besides the monster Sugaree opener which is worth a listen). Brents sounding good on harmonies here. No performances that will blow you away but a strong couple of sets. Nice Jack Straw > Franklin's opener.

and nice kick to the second.