Thirty-One

Back to 1976 today, the beginning of a six-night run at the Orpheum Theater in San Francisco.

It had been a little over a month since the Dead had resumed touring, and they were making stops in smaller theaters and playing with a far different (and smaller!) amplification system. This meant the dynamics of the shows had changed considerably since 1974's "Wall of Sound" stadium events, and I am sure that some folks were unhappy about getting "squeezed out" of the experience.

The music, though...wow.  I just love it.  I don't care how slow people think it is.  The new songs (from 1975's Blues for Allah) are superb, the jamming is often intense (if perhaps less frequently venturing into "spacy" territory) and the whole thing is just so...mellow.

It's often the most calming thing I can find.  Cue it up, spark it up, and drift away...
Set list after the break...

The Music Never Stopped
Brown Eyed Women
Cassidy
Tennessee Jed
New Minglewood Blues
Candyman
Looks Like Rain
Row Jimmy
Lazy Lightnin'
Supplication
Deal
Promised Land

Sugaree
Samson and Delilah
Help on the Way
Slipknot!
Franklin's Tower
Dancin' in the Streets
Wharf Rat
drums
The Wheel
Around and Around

U.S. Blues

The recording also features the "sound checks" performed before the show.

The first track of the concert itself is number 14.

The sound check tracks:

Dancin' in the Streets
They Love Each Other
The Music Never Stopped (two takes)
Stella Blue (seven takes)
Let It Grow
Eyes of the World