Today’s choice on MOTD is The Grateful Dead from the Felt Forum at MSG on 121-7-1971. We had this show in our tape collection for years before it was released as Dicks Picks 22! It was always a treat to hear Piggy sing Run Run Rudolph this time of year 🙂 This show was night 4 of 4 at the Felt and the Boys were in their groove.

The Music

Cold Rain And Snow, Beat It On Down The Line, Mr. Charlie, Sugaree, Jack Straw, Next Time You See Me, Tennessee Jed, El Paso, Brokedown Palace, Run Rudolph Run, You Win Again, Cumberland Blues, Casey Jones Sugar Magnolia, Ramble On Rose, Big Boss Man, Mexicali Blues, Brown Eyed Women, Me And My Uncle, Smokestack Lightning, Deal, Truckin’, Not Fade Away -> Goin’ Down The Road Feelin’ Bad -> Not Fade Away, E: One More Saturday Night

Tasting Notes

Lots of Pig Pen at this show after taking a break from the Band for a couple of months. Each tune is packed with energy and tightly played. This one is not a rolling psychedelic experience as much as it is the Band showing it’s cohesiveness and having its leader back in the mix. Smokestack is a blues gem and the NFA>GDTRFB>NFA sandwich leaves us with a huge smile.

Enjoy The Grateful Dead Live at Felt Forum, Madison Square Garden on 12-7-1971