Post #200! Just over halfway done.

I love the rock and roll fun of some of the Dead’s little ditties like Don’t Ease Me In, Might As Well, and songs of that ilk.

These aren’t the songs that people typically rave about from a show but when you go and listen you instinctively tap your toes. On the one hand these songs are “safe” because they’re pretty structured and there’s not a ton of improvisation that takes place. On the other hand, that degree of “safety” enables the band to focus less on form and more on feeling, or so I tend to think, and they just let loose. This is a great example of that, methinks. So while people may not rave about the in-between songs, I tend to think that they certainly notice when they’re NOT there. Ending the set with one of these simple rocks, I’ll throw Deal into the mix too, is a great way to head into the set break and get warmed up for the weirdness of the second set. Really everyone wins.

The boogie piano I was expecting yesterday in Dupree’s is present today in Don’t Ease Me In. Bobby’s filigree guitar playing, with rapids slides and pull offs accents all the right things. A rather straightforward song this one is, yet Jerry’s playing bubbles over when given the opportunity. Whereas Jerry is like one of those automatic bubble guns at a mall kiosk, Weir’s playing during the verses is like a pot brought to a rolling boil. The instrumental section is controlled chaos. Both Jerry and Keith vie for supremacy, but Mssrs. Weir and Kreutzman make sure their machinations are made known as well. It’s rollicking good fun all around. The song ends on a high note with the chorus going ’round and ’round. Whew!

Complete Setlist 11/9/73