favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite

I've been listening to this one on and off for a couple weeks now. Overall, the band is "locked in" from about halfway through Jack Straw until the end. Garcia, in particular, is just killin' it all night. He bending notes everywhere and singing with passion, beauty and superior effort. There's a little something extra happening pretty much constantly by one band member or another. "X-Factor" in the extreme.Hunter's (Jubal?) matrix is simply superb. Sonic wizardry just barely captures what is happening here in terms of sound quality. A benefit of this is that one can every note Weir is playing for a change. He had a really cool and clean sound during this era with that fancy Ibanez. It reminds me anew how exceptional his contribution is to the band. When he can be heard!I think Donna is mostly great and I don't mean to step into controversy but she just keeps scatting endlessly during that last part of 'Scarlet'. It is really an exceptionally long time and near the end Garcia switches guitar tone and it feels like he'd be blowing up if there was a little more room ( i.e ., if Donna would stop scat-singing).Fortunately she has a lesser role during the 'FOTM' and this version is spectacular barn burner. Garcia's tone, phrasing, and spirit are delightful and I'd put this 'Fire' up there with any of the greatest. Near the end, Garcia is vocally improvising and screaming out "Fire, Fire!" during the chorus. It's great stuff, man. The 'Iko' is a nice change from the expected NFA and has similar areas of exploration. This is only the sixth time played and they give it a workout. 'Peggy-O' is as wonderful as another reviewer stated. Again, the vocal effort and execution are fantastic. Thanks Mr. Seamons for another masterpiece. More people should here this one!!! Very cool and lucky find.