favorite favorite favorite favorite

Well this completes the doctor's journey through 1987 for my top picks. I have listened to the entire fall run, and there are many strong shows. My original pick was gonna be New Year's, of course. But after listening to 12/31, even with the Neville Bros., it just lacked a little in intensity for me.Make no mistake, 12/31 is a damn fine show and worth getting - if you can find it for sale !! There was also a video (remember those?) released back in the 90's I believe called "Ticket to New Year's". It is also now hard to find, except maybe on Amazon for a high price. It is not on DVD yet to my knowledge.11/7 was one of the first shows I got from 1987, and listening again now, it still has that magic.If for no other reasons - a great song list and that incredible event at the end where the crowd chants NFA all the way to the encore!! Old days magic here.Of course, this is 1987, not 1973 or 1977. So there are some weak points to be sure. But you know, you either were on the bus during 1987 or you weren't. So people who can't stand this period aren't going to like this show either.But for me - it's a good representation of what the band could do in 1987 on a special night. And special this is. A really hot Jack Straw with plenty of Jerry shreds gets things going early. Strong vocals as well. Row Jimmy kinda sets the pace for the show to follow, in that it's a mellow song - and this will be mostly a mellow, trippier kind of show. Not really a rocker as many in the fall of 1987 are. But who's complaining?A somewhat unique Set One here, Dupree's, Box of Rain and Cassidy. And no bad Brent songs either. Masterpiece fits nicely in the middle and continues the Dylan theme of the fall. Solid playing and vocals. Bobby does well, but I always wished Jerry would have sung this instead, seemed natural to me. Jerry does sing Dupree's very well, and this rendition is light and bouncy without being too slow.A nice crowd interlude of "we want Phil" leads to of course, Box of Rain, a crowd favorite. And it's with this number that the cosmic band and crowd symbiotic synergy begins - and never lets up for the rest of the show. This SBD really has a nice amount of crowd in it, and it adds that extra layer of magic dust to the listening experience. A truly great vocal by Phil, and the fine harmonies make you think of the 1970 album version. Almost that good.All right, we're ready for some jamming now, and Cassidy doesn't disappoint. At about 3:30 the drums put the thunder to the mix, and Jerry takes the melody theme and twists and spins it into face melting ecstasy.One might glance at Set Two and expect to hear one seamless cosmic journey of mythological proportions. And you'd be right.Uncle John, Playin and Terrapin. Wow. The ending jam of UJ's Band is short but sweet, with Jerry tossing out clear sparkling leads and the drums really giving it some backbone. Nice harmonies too with just a touch of echo, or is that your brain?They immediately turn into Playin, with everyone in the mix here. Swirly organ, big fat wah wah from Jerry and more meaty drumming. Plenty of texture and contrasts here, everyone should find a color they like.Question for anybody - wasn't 1987 the summer of the Clowns (multicolored)? Anybody have those?Galaxies spinning, your body dissolving into astral dust, just as that familiar theme brings you back to the station - Terrapin.No lame croaky version for Jerry here. He sings it like 1977 (nearly). They manage to morph into it without losing the floaty mushroom feeling of the Playin jam. Masterful. You can barely hear the crowd singing the lyrics in the background, hah. This is one of those versions that makes you want to hug everybody in the world, even your mother in law! A rare and different tune, turn it up loud to get the Phil and Drums effect. The ending? Volcanic. What growl and fuzz!!Space continues the mellower mood of UJB and Playin with noodling on delay from Garcia. Makes you think of a clear, starry night. Nice backup work from Bob here too.Jerry starts the Miracle tease later on with plenty of fuzz, the crowd responds with gusto.A short but lively Miracle follows, which leads to a wonderful surprise - Black Peter rather than Wharf Rat or Stella. Black Peter is a song custom made for B3 organ, and Brent delivers the goods here. At 8:30, this version has plenty of room for soulful jamming. And again, I am impressed with how good Jerry's vocal is. And what a searing, blazing guitar solo !! Fever indeed. The only thing that will give more goose bumps than this song - is the NFA crowd chant into Heaven's Door. This is one of the best versions of 1987 and at 11 minutes they really rip the roof off. Who says the 1980's had no love?A show worthy of notice and guaranteed smiles for your face and brain. Enjoy yourself.cheers,Dr. Flashback :-)