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The given setlist is funky; the tracks in the player correct. There used to be confusion between this and the next night, so that's probably carried over (UJB, Hurts Me Too, BioDtL & Brown-Eyed Women were played the next night, but who knows why Sing Me is listed). The correct list looks like three sets' worth of songs (which would make it the biggest show of '71), or that some of this is actually 8/24 (nah, 'cause we have the AUD), but it's just two long sets for a major, 28 song, 3¼ hr show. This was the start of a short jaunt: two shows in Chicago and one in NYC. They came back to play this ornate theater in two months for two more shows (as well as a four-nighter in '76). Nine of these songs were played the next night, all of them in better versions, except Loser & Bobby McGee.



First Set. Big Railroad is an auspicious enough opener. It's a straight/casual run through Playin', but I love Phil here. Pig is great on Mr. Charlie, as usual in '71. Oddly, on Road Trips this (somewhat undistinguished) Sugaree is stuck in with the second set songs. The next few are average '71 but, even though it was played some 58 times in '71, this is an unusually good representation of Me & Bobby McGee. Right at the beginning of Cumberland the tempo unexpectedly accelerates, and the beat goes askew through Big Boss Man. This Loser-SS however is crystalline, with everybody adding their skillz. Promised Land barely avoids a trainwreck, but even though it falls apart Phil's a madman on the eighth notes. That may be why this was the last one until it was brought back for E72 w/Keith. China Cat>Rider is an absolute monster - so smooth. Bobby announces the set break, wanting that peak to leave 'em happy, but Jer is excited and wants another. It doesn't matter because Casey Jones works the same! Again Bobby, Phil, Billy - all amazing (the beginning is cut and there's no AUD).



Second Set. Truckin' is kinda funky but the tempo goes all over the place, slowing and then increasing. This is a solid Bird Song, but it was dropped after this until awhile after Keith joined, thus ending the early arrangement. The Other One suite starts with a Cryptical (not all from summer '71 do), and after the Drums it quickly breaks into a jam. It's very standard '71, though the tranny into Me & My Uncle is cool. This song is cut near the end; the official release uses the end from 7/31 (starting @2:31). It's interesting that when they come back to Other One, it's not just briefly. It's like an Uncle straight into a Space, with the 2nd TOO verse tacked on (the return to the venue on 10/22 features maybe the best TOO of '71). This is the return of the post-TOO Cryptical - the first since 12/28/70. Wharf Rat ends a nice 45min sequence. There's a Deal, a short break/tuning, and then comes a whole mini-set starting with Brokedown. This ain't bad, but the next night is the gold standard. The rest is average to below average '71.



1st Set : B-

2nd Set : C

Overall = 3 stars



Highlights:

Me & Bobby McGee - a finer example

Loser - crystalline and everybody adds

China Cat Sunflower>I Know You Rider - monster of a version

Casey Jones - one of several vying for top '71



8/24/71 . The next night is a four-star show with A+ versions of St. Stephen>Not Fade>GDtRFB & Brokedown (uptempo, full vox). It has the first ever Brown Eyed Women (different arrangement, Pig sings it, uptempo, no Tumble Down bridge) and the first of two Empty Pages, along with average fare.



SOURCES: The two summer '71 Chicago shows were unknowns until Dick's 35 in '05, Road Trips in '08, and this miller SBD, finally, in 2013. The AUD wasn't well-circulated. It's a partial AUD and pitched fast. Because it tacks on Empty Pages, which we know is from the next night, clearly some of 8/24 was taped. Eleven songs are on Road Trips 1-3 (the Me & My Uncle is a patched version).

- May 26, 2019Finally circ'd