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They were tightly wound for this, taking rare time off to woodshed with the new guy and prepare new songs (six song premieres in addition to being the first Keith show). What followed was a hot tour; with a new player, they really listen to each other. Usually the "historical shows" don't stand up well but this is an exception (at least the first set). What with the stories of wide-open gates, fireballs shot over the floor during the show from behind the drum stand, dozens of delivered pizzas, and passing around a shopping bag full of American-style-joints (even rolled in American Flag papers), U of M was a swinging campus in '71! Then there's the comment from pafetz: "some guys from the BPMs (Booze/Pussy/Motorcycles) figured they were going backstage before the show, but changed their minds when a Hell's Angels contingent traveling with the band made their appearance".



First Set. Bertha is a great choice for answering the excitement level, though it does a take awhile for the set to surpass average '71. After a fine Beat it on Down the Line-20 (was it supposed to be 19?) there's a China Cat tease, but it's a hot Cumberland instead. Then they launch one of the most entertaining premieres ever. Tennessee is way uptempo, and with Keith on organ. It's totally woodshedded and tight. You won't find many like this - it was slowed pretty quickly. The beginning of Black Peter is cut on both sources. It's thinner-sounding than expected, but the tempo in late '71 was more engaging. The first Jack Straw has Bobby on all verses. It's not the monster of '72, but has already surpassed its songwriting. The beginning is also cut from Railroad, but that doesn't detract much from its glory, getting over on Bobby's tone and tightness alone. Brown Eyed Women is an almost-premiere: the second one, but the first without Pig singing and the arrangement has already changed (most apparent with the addition of the tumble down bridge). The next two songs may be the best premiere versions ever. On Mexicali, Jer begins soloing right from the count-in. Comes a Time is better than the next several on the tour. Playin' then builds to as powerful as '71s got. The first Saturday Night isn't the best but the energy and excitement for the Berry-rocker is definitely palpable. Jer nearly trainwrecks Casey Jones by repeating a verse, but it's an unusual set: 15 songs in just over 1½hrs. Lots of succinctness for the new keysman.



Second Set. Truckin' has muffed mic/lyrics and a rote jam, but they are ready for the first Ramble On Rose. Another way uptempo, it has the beat it before they blow lyric and a solo after the first chorus. It's great, but 10/21 is the best of the early-arrangement versions. Even in its weird position, Brokedown is the certified example of the song. The set peaks with the The Other One suite. Great jamming and almost as good as 10/26. There is some minor confusion in Uncle John's but otherwise the rest is average '71 (no encore).



1st Set : B

2nd Set : C+

Overall = 3¾ stars



Highlights:

Tennessee Jed - one of the most entertaining premieres

Big Railroad Blues - band tight and Bobby's tone

Mexicali Blues - anxious to unleash

Comes a Time - maybe best premiere evah

Playin' in the Band - builds

Brokedown Palace - crafted/certified

Cryptical Envelopment>The Other One - towering Tiftoo Suite



SOURCES: The miller is the more dynamic of the two.

- March 18, 2019My husband is your new keyboardist