May 8th, 1977- Barton Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York

Scarlet Begonias/Fire on the Mountain

Possibly the most beautiful transition between Scarlet and Fire in all the years they played it. You can just feel it was one of those moments where the musicians became one and melted with the audience. Everyone let the music take them away. I guarantee there were numerous Deadheads born that magical May evening in Ithaca New York. 

December 1st, 1966- The Matrix
San Francisco, CA

Cream Puff War
Death Don't Have No Mercy

PROTO Dead! The chilling energy of these early Dead recordings beckons the spirit of the 1960's. If you close your eyes, you can still feel the crest of spiritual energy that must have been so present in late '66. These are the fertile seeds of what was to come. It was the energy of these early shows that build the foundation that still lasts today.

November 11th, 1973- Winterland Arena, San Francisco, CA

Dark Star/Mind Left Body/Eyes of the World

High art that surpasses all concepts of genre. This is the kind of art that will be remembered, and listened to, in 250 years. I'll let the music speak for itself. 

March 26th, 1987 Hartford Civic Center, Harford, CT
Bird Song and He's Gone

Grateful Moments first 80's show from March 26th, 1987!
By '87 the band has their magic sound down to art AND science, having figured out what will transport the audience. The jam inside Bird Song makes this the best of all Bird Songs Brent (IMHO)! Brent highlights the magic of this jam. And then, on the outro of He's Gone, you can almost feel as if you're standing in the Hartford Civic Center in 1987 following the Dead around. Magic times...

September 18th, 1974 Parc Des Expositions, Dijon, France

Drums/Caution

Fusion jazz greatness from 1974. Doesn't get any more 1974 Dead than this. Opens up with a mini Kreutzmann drum solo, followed by a bass accompaniment with Phil Lesh, then into a very jazzy Caution jam. 

June 14th, 1968 Fillmore East, NYC

Caution/Feedback

Rip roarin' Caution into feedback from 1968. As primal Dead as you can get. This is Pigpen at the height of his powers. 

November 30th, 1979- Stanley Theatre, Pittsburgh, PA

Terrapin Station-Playing in the Band

Although not as standout of a year as, say, 1977 or 1973, 1979 has its own distinct sound that makes it a contender. By fall of '79, Brent Mydland, who had joined in April, was feeling good and warmed up, and he lent the band a fresh, new sound. 

May 9th, 1977 Buffalo, New York
Help on the Way/Slipknot/Franklin's Tower

The day AFTER. In my humble opinion May 9th is better than May 8th, and I love May 8th! Spring '77 finds the Dead at their apex, as tight and creative as ever. 1977 Dead is every bit as creative as 73-74, but there's an extra 'x' factor that makes it something truly special. 

May 2nd, 1970 , Harpur College, NY

Entire first set (Acoustic):
Rare acoustic set from 1970.

Set List:
Don't Ease Me In
I Know You Rider
Friend of the Devil
Dire Wolf
Beat it on Down the Line
Black Peter
Candyman
Cumberland Blues
Deep Elem
Cold Jordan
Uncle John's Band

11/15/1972 Oklahoma City, OK
Playing in the Band.

The Dead at their absolute jazziest. '72 kicked off their cosmic/space jazz era and this represents the sound.