this is some peak China > Rider !

Another good 73 with horns, no highlights.

September is the least satisfying month of 1973, but the Spectrum shows leave nothing to be desired.

9/21 is one of the best of the year.
Jack Straw + Black Peter are as good as any.

excellent

now don't hold me to this since i'm goin by memory, this was the first of a 2 night run that fall. i left a little dissapointed because the 2nd set was so short for 73, as for the playing, maybe not the most energetic show, but this band was on a monsterous roll, the band was tight and played well if not inspired.

The China/Rider is a real beauty and what Wineland said about Truckin>Eyes is right on. This is a very nice listen and I'll go back to it again. I don't like Fierro on horns because he's not in the groove with the Dead usually but tonight he keeps the honking and squeaking to a minimum at the end of Eyes.

This is a show you must listen to. (but not the AUD stuff)

Promised Land thru BIODTL is an AUD mono. A listenable recording and for historical sake I am glad we have it. The SBD kicks in for the rest of the show, save a few patches, and sounds great.

China > Rider is the highlight of the first set. Tucked in between the two you will hear the Feeling Groovy Jam. Groovalicious.

I personally like Martin Fierro and Joe Ellis on horns. It adds a nice dimension, like Branford Marsalis in later years. Not to mention Fierro playing with Jerry and Merl Saunders and later Legion of Mary.

The brass sit in for the whole second set and let me tell you folks, Truckin > Sugar Mag is something to be heard. You get several jams including the Nobody's Fault between Truckin & Eyes. In Eyes the horn blowers seem to be pulling out some Coltrane that I have heard before, but can't quite place. And the Boys slip the Stronger Than Dirt jam in there too. Stella is a beauty and the horns take us home on a rambunctious Sugar Mag. Seek this show out, it is worth the effot.

Take a listen to this show, and then repeat as many times as needed. Each time you get more and more out of it. Ahhh, to have been in Philly this fine fall day.

I like a horn section in alot of bands, but not in the Grateful Dead. It just doesn't work for me. Later collaborations with Ornette Coleman, Branford Marsalis, and David Murray in particular, are pretty good, but this is the brass equivalent of Donna. The sound quality of the audience source isn't too good, but neither is the SBD. Why bother to write a review? As a warning I suppose, since nobody else had weighed in. Skip this one. Too many other good shows out there.