I've been appreciating Mindboy's reviews for a bit... They vex me, but likely only because I couldn't figure it out.
And "clinical examination" is the only way I think to describe it. Doesn't feel like someone who might defend this crap with their life... like so many of us fools! And this is a good one! anyway... my rating is for mindwondering's rating...
On this show in particular! where's the passion dude!?

Though this show has been rec'd to me several times I am a latecomer - chiefly because when it comes to this tour, 6/29 is a fave (or I grab 6/9 or 6/14). Admittedly this run - and the previous Tower run - are chockablock with highlights; I just hadn't circled back. It's not in the month's top five, nor the bottom. Known for the CR&S and the second set Let it Grow opener, the second set doesn't have quite the spark of the first (s' still GOGD). Steal Your Face had just been released, but that was recorded in '74 and they already sounded different, premiering new gear, arrangements and perspective this month.

First Set. Cold Rain & Snow brings the warmth on the wide opener. Cassidy is laid back yet so precise; well-oiled. Brown Eyed is almost as so: the 2nd verse may be muffed but the playing is so tight. The SBD for Big River has a static attack but other sources are fine. Although a technical achievement of sorts, Ship is draggy. Keith's good though. In Supplication, listen to Jer's wild guitar line starting @3:15. It sounds like it was inserted in reverse! It may take more than one listen to grok the X in this Friend of the Devil (I re-patched my version with the better AUD before I really got it). Watch Jer add as much as he can for Bobby's Looks Like Rain. Might as Well, however, is too laid-back. It makes this song tentative. Whole set is solid and above average.

Second Set. Let it Grow is interesting as an opener, and has a longer Drums break than most of the tour. The end jam with Phil is cooler than morning pizza. The end jam for Wharf Rat almost makes up for zzzzz. Similarly, Samson gels in the final couple minutes. Help>Slip>Franks starts getting good a ways into Slipknot!. Franklin's has a couple fine sections and a few putzing along (the monsters from this tour are 6/9 & 6/21). Listen for Phil dropping out for awhile after 10min. Sugar Magnolia is vampy and, not encoring, they stay out for the U.S. Blues. Some drummer soup but mostly average.

1st Set:  B
2nd Set: C+
Overall = 3¼ stars

Highlights:
Cold Rain & Snow - hot enough to melt itself
Cassidy - relaxed if precise
Friend of the Devil - laid back choogler

SOURCES: The miller_112295 SBD starts in Cassidy [as all SBDs] and has patches from a third AUD source not on the archive. The vernon_7341 is the classic AUD that used to circulate. It's best for Big River - except it has a dropout @3:26. The moore_berger-minches_98796 has no dropout, no static, but is the lesser-sounding source. The 123462_mtx_dusborne is a terrific MTX (the SBD being a bit dry) and is the best choice for the 1st half of the first set (at least). Wonderful lists [below] by c-freedom.

Second night does not disappoint. Excellent "mood music," as Skobud puts it in a review on a different archive stream of the same show. "If you are in the mood to mellow and chill," he adds, "I recommend this one."

Something about this sound that I love. Also, I don't know (is it just me?), but listening to Big River and really the whole first set, it sounds like JGB to me. "Reflections" came out in February '76. Familiar dead tunes included they love each other, it must have been the roses, and comes a time. Now take a look at the album band, for example, on the opening track, might as well: Jerry, Bob, Keith, Phil, Bill, Mickey, Donna. Get my drift? Otherwise, this supplication jam is a trip, friend of the devil is a treat at this mellow and slowed down pace. Sounds a little reggae, sort of like Marley and the Wailers doing Stop That Train or Stir It Up (both early-JGB favorites). Looks like rain is a delight and might as well pleases to close out the set.

Set two pops off with force with a stirring let it grow, now running solo (post-hiatus), no longer paired with weather report suite. I like the drums midway through the jam, but the placement so early in the set is curious. As is the wharf rat that follows; regardless, it's a beauty worth listening to. H/S/F is fun, adventurous at moments. As GIbsonES335 puts it, in another stream, it's "in the pocket." Can't argue with him there. Tasty 9-minute Slipknot!

Great show, start to fin. Glad I took the time.

Do you wanna know how deep the GD songbook is---
Here is a list of tunes on hiatus during this tour:
China Cat>Dec 29,1977
Truckin>Sept 3, 1977
Jack Straw>May 3, 1977
Bertha>Sept 25, 1976
UJB>Dec 31,1976
He's Gone>Oct 15, 1976
Ramble on Rose>Sept 23, 1976
Half Step>July 13, 1976
Cumberland>Aug 27, 1981
China Doll > May 19, 1977
The Other One> July 14, 1976

First tour of 76
positives-
The return of Mickey Hart
The Donna Jean full-time singing factor (76 her peak!)
The Jerry Garcia shredding factor
The slower tempo of many tunes
The New Weir Numbers-Samson. L. Lightning, Cassidy
Keith's interactions with Garcia's guitar work
The Slipknot jams H>S>F!
The return of St. Stephen
Some very hot N.F.A (with and without Stephen)
The Second Set- Let it Grow's
An occasional Mission,Cosmic Charlie, Comes a Time,
The Return of Dancin'
Return of drumz in basic form inside tunes.(LIG, DANCIN)
THE Wheel........................especially as the start to use it as a vehicle ie- Playin>Wheel>Playin
other surprises:
Around & Around
Stella, Wharf Rat
P.I.T.B-Some great versions closing 1st set
and various points in the 2nd set
Show(s) broadcast live on FM-radio

Drawbacks-
U.S. Blues-I see where the Day job repetition thing got started. ( and I really do like U.S. Blues)
The Philly show this tour (Tower)
when opened with-US BLUES--- is cool.
(Of course refer to the 1974 shows to see the potential they let get away to really jam out on the United States Blues.)
The only issues I found on this tour had more to do with Soundboard drop-outs-- but the shows themselves are musically outstanding.

Sounds to me like the SBD doesn't come into play until the start of Brown-Eyed Women. CR&S and Cassidy are not SBD quality in my opinion. Still a great show so far.