This was my first how at Alpine and one of the rare occasions that I made an effort to get close instead of dancing. Bobby was outta hand in the jam before drums - great to finally have a quality recording - thanx!!!!

I love this show for the very lively and "jangly' quality of the band's sound in the second set. The sound on my previous recording was very muddy, but the sound of this particular recording is clear and excellent -- definitely an upgrade from what I had before.

I really like this show's second set, despite it being comparatively brief. Take a look at that list for the second set: a whopping TWO songs before Drums, though it would be more accurate to say that the first 7:30 minutes of Drums is actually a full band jam, because, well, it is. But more on that in a moment.

The Playin is is great -- right from the start, you can tell the band is a) in sync b) ready to explore, and c) probably high as kites. The Playin is DRIVEN, with the band charging as one into the unknown. Eventually, this gives way to a killer Uncle John's Band, one of the rare instances (IMHO) where the UJB eclipses the Playing that precedes it. My favorite part of this entire show is the brief 7/4 jam at the end of UJB -- it is FANTASTIC and reason enough to download this show. It reminds me of galloping horses: it's fluid, rhythmic and moving very fast. Eventually, the band wraps up the outro to UJB and makes a distinct musical break before starting in on a wonderful and unique full band jam that lasts for around 7:30. The above setlist shows this as being a 16 minute Drums, but in my notes I list the second set as Playin > Uncle John's > Jam > Drums. In any case, the jam that follows UJB is distinctly it's own thing, not an extension of UJB or a reprise of Playing. It's also very "jangly" -- Bobby plays these wonderful, ringing chords and Jerry alternately trades off between notes and other ringing chords in counterpoint. It's great! Eventually this does give way to Drums proper, which is also very high energy. The remainder of the second set is also quite good -- Jerry really shines China Doll -- and the set finishes nicely, But to me, the heart of the show is the Playing > UJB > Jam sequence I describe above. It's definitely a keeper.

What a fantastic show and recording this is! Sounds just like it did that day at Alpine( really it does).

Thanks to the taper for getting these shows to the Archive!
Burn them you wont regret it!