Twenty-Three

It's Independence Day!  

What does freedom mean to you? What can't you do? How would you defend what you can?

Many things to ponder, but also a day for celebration. My advice is to try to keep it "safe and sane," especially if you're blowing shit up. If your city does it, go see the pros.

ANYWAY...

...highlighting a few things on the Dead front today.

First, checking back in with 1969, at the Electric Theater in Chicago.

I wish the sound kept its levels throughout, because there are some interesting early songs here...ah well. The sequence that ends with "Casey Jones" is definitely worth hearing.

Next, 1981 at Manor Downs.

One of the many venues they used to play that have closed, this one was the site of some really good music...and this show completely lives up to that standard!

How about 1984, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa?

You might say that some of what was happening in 1984 "ripened" in 1985...nah, nobody would say that. Anyway, great show.

1987? Foxborough? (Foxboro?!? ) Massachusetts? How appropriate to play in a place so close to the cradle of what we call liberty today.

It's not a bad show, either...and it features the Dead as a backing band for recent Nobel Laureate Bob Dylan.

The entire second set is Bob, and if you don't like Bob...well, skip that, then. But this was an historic collaboration and I think it holds up okay. In the Dark was released on 6 July and it's nice to see the group holding the form of those efforts in concert, whether lead or backup.

Set lists after the break...

Chicago

Hard to Handle

Mama Tried

Slewfoot

Silver Threads and Golden Needles

Cryptical Envelopment >

Drums >

The Other One >

High Time >

Casey Jones

King Bee

Sittin' On Top of the World

Me and My Uncle

Doin' that Rag

Let Me In

Dire Wolf

St. Stephen >

Lovelight

Austin

Jack Straw
Peggy-O
Me and My Uncle
Big River
Loser
Little Red Rooster
Tennessee Jed
New Minglewood Blues
China Cat Sunflower
I Know You Rider

Feel Like a Stranger
Bird Song
Playin' in the Band
drums
Not Fade Away
Wharf Rat
Sugar Magnolia

One More Saturday Night

Cedar Rapids

Feel Like a Stranger
Friend of the Devil
C.C. Rider
Cumberland Blues
Beat it on Down the Line
Row Jimmy
Hell in a Bucket
Don't Ease Me In

Help on the Way
Slipknot!
Franklin's Tower
Far From Me
Estimated Prophet
He's Gone
drums
Truckin'
Wharf Rat
Around and Around
Good Lovin'

U.S. Blues

Foxboro

Touch of Grey
Hell in a Bucket
West L.A. Fadeaway
Tons of Steel
Little Red Rooster
Box of Rain
Althea

Uncle John's Band
Playin' in the Band
drums
Truckin'
The Other One
Wharf Rat
Throwin' Stones

Times They Are A-Changin'
Man of Peace
I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
John Brown
I Want You
Ballad of a Thin Man
Stuck Inside of Mobile
Queen Jane Approximately
Chimes of Freedom
Slow Train Comin'
Joey
All Along the Watchtower

Knockin' on Heaven's Door