January '68 to March '69 is peak of primal/psychedelic Dead!!!! No mindless low energy noodling. Pure balls to the walls jamming. Does this mean it's their most musically skilled era? No.... It took a couple more years for them to be a fine tuned engine. But it is the height of their creation of their creation and definition of the jam band genre....

The energy here is what would define the 68 period dead. I agree with whoever said that 68 is where the dead get really good. It can be quite a surprise when you go back to this after 70's and onward periods. There's no country and cowboy stuff here, just pure acid psychedelia. The often terrible vocal ranges are a sure way of knowing these guys were here to jam. And they deliver on that never spoken promise.

Right of the bat, Jerry coughing up his lungs on the first vocal brings that playful energy you'd find if you encountered the Merry Pranksters. And they just build on that, zig zagging between psychedelic jams that will melt your mind and the upbeat, jester like lyricism, which will counterpoint everything with some devilish Fun™.

So what are you waiting for? Get high and dance the night away, you newer know how many more remain.

imo, early 68 is when GD really started smokin as a live act. 1st 3 years were the learning curve. 1968 is where serious Deadheads start digging deep and really checking out these fantastic shows

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this show is a prototype

Dark Star is like condensed milk, Eagle brand its sweet, I love it, almost like the 3 minute studio one. All Good All the Time.

Weir has some alternate lyrics to offer up during the OTHER ONE.. (his 1st verse)
Spanish Jam. BRAVO!
China Cat>The Eleven-Now that would have blown a few HEADS in the 80's
The China Cat is like slam dancing fast!!!

epic stand alone Alligator devoid of side jams

first rate Grateful Dead right off the bat in '68

This is a really good show. The playing is simply stunning and the set list is impressive. I would recommend this (and do), but beware that the mix is uneven. We lose vocals (usually Jerry's), probably due to the small size of the venue and the mix required to keep things even in the hall. Even so... a great listen!

well, I was only four days old at the time of this show, and my Mom didn't let me go-NPC is genius, unreproducable

sickness. dank you charlie! favorite of the 68 great NW tour?

Acid Dragons

Very little point in picking apart the setlist it's all fantastic but that Alligator is something special. I keep wanting to pick out favourites but I end up with the whole set.

so amazing that we have this gem of history here to listen to, such an early show! the song selection is super, all played well, all running into each other, just an amazing show overall. the dark star is far out and transition to china cat is great. everything here is just so awesome. love the bid you good night closer always.

defintley one of the best Alligators i have heard. a gem of 68, an exploratory energy laden slice of Grateful Dead history.

not as great as the 20th or 23rd, but this is a nice long early '68 show that aims to please...really dig the Alligator, Crossed eyed>Spanish and China Cat.

A huge thanks to Charlie Miller. I swear I would have had you officiate my wedding, bring my children into this world,and perform any operations I may need. All that you do is GOLD!

Who is this Charlie Miller and why does he keep doing such nice things for us? His name on a soundboard is like Owsley's name on a hit of acid. To paraphrase Wolfe in The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test: bottled-in-bond, guaranteed. 500 micrograms of superhero in your head! Everyone should send Charlie Miller money.

This show is utterly ridiculous. Every song has standout playing. The vocals are a bit low on the Dark Star, but that's the only thing you could pick. Everything else will leave you stupefied.
Listening to this show makes you wonder if you'll ever leave the 60's again. 1/22/68 makes a compelling argument. It has everything you need.

Peace is free.

Though Phil remains low in the mix, this is without doubt a dramatic upgrade sonically.

What else can you say? Another amazing suite of jazz-infused mind-stealing jamming. This incredible Spanish Jam sounds like it could be the theme to a Sergio Leone western. (100 pts)

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#############__SMOKIN' HOT 1968 GRATEFUL DEAD Show.

This is a "MUST HAVE" Show. I highly recommend adding this show to your collection of 1968 GRATEFUL DEAD.

"ALLIGATOR" is incredible. You have to have it. "AlLIGATOR"!!!! The two "Feedbacks" here are awsome. Classic 1968 sound!

Wonderful performances from the Album "ANTHEM OF THE SUN".

Charlie Miller did it again. Click on his name and collect all his GRATEFUL DEAD shows, he has impeccable taste.

Remember to also click on the "Deadlists Project" and collect the posters and ticket stubs that sometimes appear for each show.

Eat, Drink, Be Merry and Listen to the GRATEFUL DEAD.

Thanks for the Love.

Whatever we did to deserve the results of Sir Charlie "The Most Excellent" Miller's efforts, I hope we keep it up.

This is very tasty and why I like '68. Gator is visceral. IMO one of the best versions of Born Cross-Eyed out there.

And what can you say about Spanish Jam to the end?? It's like riding a surfboard down an avalanche.