Promised Land, Sugaree, Mexicali Blues, Loser, Black Throated Wind, Tennessee Jed, El Paso, Big Railroad Blues, Box Of Rain, China Cat Sunflower-> I Know You Rider, Beat It On Down The Line, Brown Eyed Women, Around & Around, Casey Jones Bertha-> Greatest Story Ever Told, He's Gone, Mississippi Half Step, Sugar Magnolia, One More Saturday Night, Uncle John's Band

2nd set only; SBD> MC> C> D> CD> EAC> SHN; edits (see notes), encoding, vined by J. Cotsman; with thanks to John Steinhaus

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Reviewer: gdarchivistwb - favorite favorite favorite favorite - February 12, 2018

Subject: No Doubt Phil is High but that is GRRRReat! Phil is on fire throughout this whole show and his bass is turned up or picked up betta then the use. that is def the striking point for me. - February 12, 2018No Doubt Phil is High but that is GRRRReat!

Reviewer: tededfred - - November 18, 2013

Subject: Playin' 18:30 = sick - November 18, 2013Playin'

Reviewer: doug_the_dude - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - November 18, 2013

Subject: -- Searing, red-hot performance - much has, of course, been said about Playin', and deservedly so - this insane creation goes through perhaps half-a dozen "pulses", where Jerry and Phil lead everyone else through these....squeezes....of absolute and utter power. Late into the jam you think they're done, only to have them go for it yet again. Sublime, majestic, essential Dead listening...



...but don't forget about the rest of the set - it's all beautifully played - no suites here in the 2nd set - that Playin' takes care of all the jam dynamics they could have possibly explored otherwise - Greatest Story, Half-Step, Sugar Magnolia all compliment the set well.



There's a relatively new Charlie Miller pitch-corrected board now available - give it a go! - November 18, 2013--

Reviewer: lp357 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - September 28, 2013

Subject: WOW It would impossible to do this Playin' justice with mere words wow - September 28, 2013WOW

Reviewer: chris phillips - favorite favorite favorite favorite - August 7, 2013

Subject: 11/19 The show AFTER is also nice. I think the previous reviewer is alluding to this.



11/18 PITB is most intense. - August 7, 201311/19

Reviewer: weironamissionfrombob - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 26, 2013

Subject: Playn? I Saw DSO do this show and they did have Playin in the Band in the setlist, maybe they did play it that night, regardless DSO created an equally intense version the night I saw them, listening to the real show the next day as I always do after a DSO show, was able to hear how this magnificent playin' inspired DSO's approach to the jam that night. Great show too, the night before is a really great show as well, just heard it on gdradio - May 26, 2013Playn?

Reviewer: KlobberSaurus - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - March 22, 2012

Subject: Playin... Plying in the Band was not performed on this night. This playing is apparently an insert. But whoa what a version!. What night is this truly from? Anyone have the original show? I'd love to hear the rest of a night on which Phil sounded like that. - March 22, 2012Playin...

Reviewer: feather0926 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - November 18, 2010

Subject: 11-18-72 4 1/2 STARS OUT OF 5. A wild PITB the only thing missing is TOO. They did Dark Star the following night. Now that's something to write home about. After listening to this again 5 STARS out of 5. Isn't great to be a Deadhead???? - November 18, 201011-18-72

Reviewer: clementinescaboose - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - August 26, 2010

Subject: ridiculous OK like others have said this show as a whole isn't really worthy of your attention, but THE sole reason to check it out is the crazy PITB; based on this version alone, this is easily worth 5-stars. i personally don't mind phil high in the mix, 'cause he carries this insane jam to unbelievable heights. i can't really think of too many instances where he is this ON FIRE.



fall '72 was special indeed... - August 26, 2010ridiculous

Reviewer: smgarcia - favorite favorite favorite - April 22, 2008

Subject: Playin' In The Band is.... very good. But not my favorite of all time, so to speak.



What I love about it is how crazy the guys get during the song. They just spaz out. Jerry goes nuts, so does Phil, Bill, Keith, Bobby, even the stage-hands. Intense is the correct word here.



Like other posters alluded to, Phil is overmixed and really overpowers Jerry and the gang. I find it hard to enjoy the song because he is something like 2x louder than Jerry.



So I can't give it "my favorite." Not yet. As of right now my two favorite versions are 2/26/77 and 8/21/72 (not Veneta!...The Berkeley show). I'm listening to these two right now before I give this Playin' it's fair ranking in my list of all time favorite Playin's. And I'm one of those Playin' whores, yup.



Just my opinion. - April 22, 2008Playin' In The Band is....

Reviewer: orangejulius - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - April 21, 2008

Subject: Top 5 reasons this is an under-rated gem... 5. Jerry's twangy vocals on everything he sings.

4. A searing hot version of Sugar Magnolia.

3. Fantastic He's Gone with great group vocalizing before a spectacular closing jam/Garcia solo. Shows how much they evolved in Fall '72.

2. Phil.

1. The BEST, most intense version of Playin' in the Band I've ever heard, bar none.



This show doesn't get the huge praise it deserves. - April 21, 2008Top 5 reasons this is an under-rated gem...

Reviewer: dead-freak - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - March 29, 2008

Subject: Phil Zone The great thing about Phil is his basis in improvisational and creative music. You can see it as he explores a jam listening to Jerry and the drummers and how his facial expressions transport him into unchartered territory and he laughts at himself when he tries to "eternally recur" ala Nietzche with an improvised couplet.

Remember, boys and girls Phil played Stan Kenton before the dead played through him. Many don't realize the importance of Phil's guitar playing bass style as well as his transcendental ability to conjure a jam from thin air.

Phil transports this Playin to beyond ordinary dimensions. Could be the twenty-third by now.

How could Phil be too loud? Hint: turn down the bass or loudness control.

Jerry is also a maniac during Playin and rendering a mind-bending space jam that will melt your brain. - March 29, 2008Phil Zone

Reviewer: omnihead - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - February 25, 2008

Subject: Yes they DID play "Playin" Are you people retarded? Just download or listen to the show and you'll see they DID PLAY IT. Furthermore, check out the "Taping Compendium Vol. I", by John Dwork and Michael Getz. There is a review of 11/18/72 in there, with the complete setlist and a REVIEW of how AWESOME this PLAYING IN THE BAND was. Deadbase also has the setlist of this show, and also has Playin as being played this night. The end. - February 25, 2008Yes they DID play "Playin"

Reviewer: balaw28 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - September 19, 2007

Subject: Gratest Playin' ever!!! Great show high energy. ..loved it..



The Playin'n is the gratest version ive ever heard. amazing sound and bass sooooo trippy. i could onl immagine how amazing it would have been to be there - September 19, 2007Gratest Playin' ever!!!

Reviewer: redgelgooneybird - favorite favorite favorite - July 17, 2007

Subject: you all are funny bet they didnt have gooneybirds back then This review of a show is bogus the only great song is playin and they did not even play it.

do your homework before you review it. - July 17, 2007you all are funny bet they didnt have gooneybirds back then

Reviewer: punchie - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - November 20, 2006

Subject: HOLY AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - November 20, 2006HOLY

Reviewer: gruUbic - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - September 21, 2006

Subject: HofHeinz 57 Ketchup to the Playin! FYI -

Deadbase has it listed: the PlayinÃ¢ÂÂs rightbtween deal and half step ----



oh yeah, my bruthas and sisters, this oneÃ¢ÂÂs more than worthy --

record for your pleasure

whenever's clever



The Playin is:



- fast

- jerbear dope

- dives right in ---

- fat base ---

-- rich SBD recording

- great mix

------> philÃ¢ÂÂs on phriggin phire!



oh, and hey, findyourself!!

be careful: jerry never treyÃ¢ÂÂd ---

but trey certainly tried to jerry





There is NOTHING like a Grateful Dead Show - September 21, 2006HofHeinz 57 Ketchup to the Playin!

Reviewer: Tie-Dyed Tom - favorite favorite favorite favorite - September 1, 2006

Subject: Like a wave upon the sand In my search for "the very best rendition of..." I came across this show. I enjoyed the Playin' and appreciate the energy level, since I have nothing better to offer as one-ups-manship, I'll resign that this, too, is my favorite. Per A.J.K.'s note, I'm going to go checkout 8/27. I and thought that He's Gone was also quite good. - September 1, 2006Like a wave upon the sand

Reviewer: DandyBear - favorite favorite favorite - July 17, 2006

Subject: Playing in the Band Playing in the Band was not played at this show.



'72 is the worst year on record for Dead taping. Unfortunately, a great year performance wise is overshadowed by poor sounding and incomplete tapes. - July 17, 2006Playing in the Band

Reviewer: findyouself - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - October 21, 2005

Subject: hahaha Jerry is trey-ing out in the playin' - October 21, 2005hahaha

Reviewer: birdsgosouth - favorite favorite favorite favorite - October 4, 2005

Subject: Sound The sound of this is great but it is overblown (corresponding to the loudness in the music) and Phil is a little too loud. - October 4, 2005Sound

Reviewer: skwimite - favorite favorite favorite favorite - June 20, 2005

Subject: RBD OK, The PITB is an exceptional version, and qualifies as a MUST download. The rest is just alright, nothing remarkable, except maybe for the "flatulence" in "He's Gone". That's pretty funny. However, lately I've been using the initials RBD(Ruined By Donna)on my jewel cases, to remind myself of particularly horrible performances(if you can call them that), so as not to be unduely shocked by them upon playback. I would invite anyone to employ this approach to this set on GSET, PITB, S. Mag, and OMSN. Yipes! - June 20, 2005RBD

Reviewer: dsotm79 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - June 7, 2005

Subject: Billy K Bill Kreutzman. Just maybe the most underrated drummer of all time. Oh, yeah, the Playin is, well, damn... - June 7, 2005Billy K

Reviewer: dsotm79 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - June 7, 2005

Subject: Billy K is playin' Bill Kreutzman. Just maybe the most underrated drummer of all time. Oh, yeah, the Playin is, well, damn... This, IMO, is not only the greatest Playin, it is the most insane, heavy, freeform, balls- to-the-wall 20 minutes of music ever made. 20 minutes of GO GO GO go go go GO GO GO go GO GO go BOOOOOOMMM!!! Just when you think someone is going to resort to returning to the 11/8 riff out of pure exhaustion, oh no. There's more! Phil is most certainly in front of the mix, but pay attention to Bobby and Keith, the unknown heros.. Jerry is hitting those notes left and right, you know, the ones that make you pump your fist with joy like you made the winning shot.. - June 7, 2005Billy K is playin'

Reviewer: Stargazin - favorite favorite favorite favorite - March 17, 2005

Subject: More Than Human the boys shred this one to pieces.

This Playing in the Band is a furious summation of ever-ascending peaks, much like the development of this song over the previous year.

All the Playins from 1972 are just smoking... and they get hotter and hotter...

Could they have gotten any hotter than this?!?



Use this one for filler, don't bother w/the other songs

that hiss gets noticeable when the temperature cools - March 17, 2005More Than Human

Reviewer: MarkStar - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - March 11, 2005

Subject: One word...PLAYIN'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UNBELIEVABLE!!! The band is in another dimension. Phil is totally insane. One of the best I've ever heard. Phil is so in charge on this and the whole band just explodes! Listen again and again... - March 11, 2005One word...PLAYIN'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reviewer: phleshy - favorite favorite favorite favorite - February 22, 2005

Subject: This show is rather unremarkable... except for that Playin'. There are really no words in this language to describe it. I never thought that the Veneta Playin' could be topped, but low and behold there is a Playin' that blows even that clear out of the water. To paraphrase Dick L., Phil makes those bass notes so big you feel like your head could explode. The Playin' alone is more than enough to download this show, since the rest of it is pretty much standard '72. The sound quality is somewhat hissy, too, but good nonetheless. - February 22, 2005This show is rather unremarkable...

Reviewer: hockeynightincanadaliveoncbc - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - February 5, 2005

Subject: Playin Playin is one of the best I've ever heard - February 5, 2005Playin

Reviewer: zarah'sdad - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - December 15, 2004

Subject: Almost too much You have to hear this Playin...without a doubt one of the best ever. It reaches out so far and wide you better hold on to your sanity. There is one point that you know if it goes just one more notch that you could lose your mind. Superb zarah'sdad -- December 15, 2004Almost too much

Reviewer: PlaynnDBnd - favorite favorite favorite favorite - November 17, 2004

Subject: I agree... This Playin' is superb. For a good time, download this Playin and the one from the next night and compare and contrast. This one is definitely very dark, very aggressive and should be listened to immediately. Phil is especially.. umm.. Phil-like, but the whole band is totally locked in and raging. 4 stars only because the crispness of the sound is not exactly perfect. - November 17, 2004I agree...

Reviewer: samson - favorite favorite favorite favorite - October 24, 2004

Subject: Playing... Definately a high energy set. Rockin Bertha/ Greatest Story. Nice He's Gone and Miss. Half Step. Heck, they are all good! Highlight is the Playin. This one really goes places with the boys firing on all cylinders. Be forwarned, this is not your usual 72 Playin. It gets VERY intense! I can see why this was supposedly a fav of Latvalas...Man this tune really has gone places since the start of the year. A must for the lovers of 72 Dead!

5 for the music

4 for being a partial

4 for sound - October 24, 2004Playing...

Reviewer: swinnies - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 13, 2004

Subject: Playin!!! What a fantastic Playin! Definately in the top 3 if not the best- He's gone is clipped a few times and harder to listen to, but overshadowed by a incredible show! too bad it's only the second set that's available-- - May 13, 2004Playin!!!