Bertha, Me & My Uncle, Don't Ease Me In, Mexicali Blues, Brown Eyed Women, Beat It On Down The Line, Bird Song, Big River, Loser, Jack Straw, Big Railroad Blues, El Paso, China Cat Sunflower-> I Know You Rider Playin' In The Band-> Drums-> Dark Star-> Morning Dew-> Playin' In The Band, Deal, Promised Land, Brokedown Palace, One More Saturday Night-> Casey Jones

SBD > MR > Cass > DAT > CDR; see flaw notes in info file; Note- d2 fix now circulates via Charles Weir; See info file for details

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Reviewer: feather0926 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - October 18, 2013

Subject: Fall nienteen hundered seventy two I became aware of this show along with 9/21/72 in 1995 when David Gans & Dick Latvala selected the Dark Stars for The Jerry Garcia Memorial on August 13th, 1995. So when the SB's became available in 1996 I went on a tape trading frenzy trying to seek these gems out. I remember playing those tapes at least 3 times a week for quite awhile. And when this particular show became available on the IA it was downloaded immediately for CD use, I still listen to it frequently. The Dark Star is the obvious standout however the Playin' is not to be missed. After the 9/21/72 Dark Star this is my 2nd favorite DS with 10/28/72 3rd, 11/19/72 4th & 12/15/72 5th so Fall '72 is in this longtime Deadheads opinion the most adventurous & consistent eras of the Dead's entire career. Every show was at least 3 hours long first sets tended to have 12-15 songs and 2nd sets & sometime 3rd sets were long 2 hour jam fests.



September 1972 in particular is my favorite month out of many starting with Boulder, Co 9/3 right thru Washington D.C. 9/30. September 72 packs a whole heap of musical exploration that will be pleasing to any Deadhead.



Maybe someday this show will become a Dave's Picks or a stand alone release as it truly deserves the full treatment. I'll start pestering DL to consider this one I always rally for 12/1/79 to be released maybe I'll rally for this one instead.

a 5* star show for performance

a 4 1/2* for recording

A composite score of 9.88

Oh just give it 10 stars all the way. - October 18, 2013Fall nienteen hundered seventy two

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

Subject: -- There's a new remastered sbd on the archives here and is a VAST improvement to this and the the other board. Still a 4-star recording, due to the cuts and buzzzzz, but equalization has Bobby's awesome guitar under control a bit more - Check it - http://archive.org/details/gd1972-10-18.sbd.matera.123571.sbeok.flac16 - October 18, 2013--

Reviewer: Folkhippy - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - June 10, 2013

Subject: Wow China>Rider through Morning Dew is where it is at in this show. Outer-jazz jams throughout PITB and Dark Star. Phil starts ripping bombs towards the end of DS and starts his own little bass chord jam. Decent sound quality, hot playin'. - June 10, 2013Wow

Reviewer: omnihead - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - February 21, 2012

Subject: WOW This, without a doubt, is a top 5 show from 72'...and that's saying A LOT. The Playin > Dark Star > Morning Dew > Playin is simply mind blowing. This is also the first time the Dead split up Playin. They wouldn't do it again until over a year later on 10/21/73. - February 21, 2012WOW

Reviewer: direwolf600 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - November 17, 2010

Subject: Membership in the GD Pantheon To those complaining about the mix here...it's not perfect, but two people posted 2 stars due to it. For the rest of you, those two people are out of their minds. Bobby is up in the mix..which in 1972 is a great thing because you get to hear how advanced his playing was. Jerry is too low, although at times it works out just right. My biggest beef is keith being low for the first 2/3s of the show...none of that matters, it's negligible the SBD is B quality at worst. The show being A+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ more than makes up for it.



fyi, I rarely give 5 stars...F the mix, this one gets 5!



Nice boppy Bertha, nice mix of 74 and 71 styles with a hint of 77 at the "I had to move." Bobby is way up in the mix to our delight. With Bob so high in the mix, this Me and my Uncle really smokes. Just today someone was saying how at times 72 can get to be too much because of just how crisp these boards can get. Well, I do understand that feeling, but this one is filling out just right. Jer is a little low compared to Bob, but def audible. I'm really liking this mix overall. Phil is thunderous on the Don't Ease, and Bobby really pushes it forward which leads to Jerry ripping a second solo. Nice! There is some trouble with staying in tune which shows up during the opening of Mexicali, but Jer drops into those low strings and drives the tune from below, which, to my ears, is when Mexicali moves from standard to kickin'similar to Big River, Cumberland etc...Love Jer digging in low and thick. This could be the work headphones, but keith is way too low at this point. Hmm, I messed around with some levels and I think it probably is the headphones. 72 B.E. Womens are too slow. They just are, song isn't nearly as hot as post 74 versions. Whoa boy, they got a little ahead of themselves on the BIODTL intro..lets see if they rip it up to make up for it. This Bird Song is fantastic, and I know this will sound crazy, but between the minutes 5-7 I hear waves of the terrapin intro..or maybe it's wharf rat(more likely) but either way, something is there, and even better it is coming from bobby. There is a cut in this bird song, which is unfortunate. Despite the cut, a very fine Bird Song. Certainly not a top 72 version, but strong nonetheless. The following Big River seems to be lagging at the start, lets see how it goes. I'll say this, the second solo really chugs along thanks to the staggered hits from billy and a very percussive but sneaky Garcia. Standard 72 loser, same with Jack Straw. Things have been slow and/or mellow for awhile now and hearing them get ready for Big Railroad has me thinking this one will rip. And get this, oh man, killer big railroad, just killer all way through. Man I wish I could have heard this live. Standard El Paso. Very nice China Cat with a pretty almost reminiscing transition. Awesome 72 Rider.



Now we step out of the unique blend of rock, folk, and jazz and into a genre undefined, un-named, known only as the Grateful Dead in 1972.

Nice Playing here. Real nice playing here!! Concisely played without skimping on the weird. Highly recommended. Bobby is on fire as is keith. I love what's happening just before the 13 minute mark through the playing re-entry. Top notch music. They keep the music rolling fluidly into the short kreutzman solo, that acts as the lead in to the big boy of them all. Dark Star gets rolling nicely before heading into deeeeeeep space. Medieval themes seem to underlay the happenings and it gets to a place that is like spooky, without the being scared part. Their re-entry to the Dark Star theme is marvelous. Not subtle to the trained ear, although I'd imagine very much so otherwise. But regardless of where you want to place yourself, the movement is strong and achingly slow, despite feeling swift. Following the first verse the music immediately veers to a darker place, quickly followed by a lightness, highlighted by quick moving drumming from billy and thick bass from phil, while jer and bob sit way behind and use the separation as a means to build, as their timing comes together the music begins a powerful crescendo..and jerry takes us underwater. It's very pleasing to hear bob up in the mix nearly mirroring garcia's licks a quarter measure behind. They are as two rivals high in the air firing back and forth at each other only to create massive explosions of light and color, not to mention some other not so nice stuff. As the music turns evil phil and billy lay in together on some seriously thumpy hits that are nothing short of frightening. Then they go further and probably made about 100 or so folks at that show run for cover. Phil started taking over the jam earlier but was doing it in a very support oriented way. This ceases and he simply dominates. You'll know what I mean. And just when it can't go anywhere else but home, and inspirational fresh feelin groovy jam, it's whimsical, and fun, the very definition of nature in music. After a long trip, at times frightening, others enlightening, but always serious, they lead out of the fire with the sounds of heaven dancing. But it doesn't stop there, this is revelation, morning dew practically explodes in your ears. And what a Dew. Jerry's singing is just what you look for in a big morning dew finale. And you expect dew to cap it, no, not even close..they literally take a collective nose dive into an erupting volcano. Its just breathtakingly good. As they float around toying with playing reprise the air is thinning out and you can see again, and then wham, eyes closed, arms flailing, out of control cartoon smiles, and bobby screaming over donna to drive it home. The sequence is Playing> Drums> Dark Star> Feelin' Groovy Jam> Jam> Morning Dew> Jam> Playing Reprise. And it is simply one of the best segments of music the band ever put forth.



Can you imagine catching a show like this. To think they just played that and had more to get to. A nicely paced deal, a favorite from the era as most are not nearly so powerful. In fact hearing Jerry's singing on this backed with a tear ass group of licks from weir, and supported by keith pounding his keys, this may be my favorite deal until the late 70s. Wow, great great version. Follow that with an exceptional promised land..even has bobby throwing a Keith before the piano solo, the band is flying off the radar at this point and every note and hit made is just killing the standard 72 versions of many of these songs.



Damn, then to play Brokedown Palace to end things before the encore, I'm sitting here at the end of another day at work and am welling up. Lord knows if I'll keep it together come the last lines.



....next day..so I bet you look and see Saturday and skip to casey jones. I recommend against this course, there is nothing ordinary about this version. Jerry is playing with youthful exuberance and the song shines as a result. Oh and keith, who is really an all star at this show despite my lack of mentioning him, tosses in some great stuff..and then casey jones, which gets rolling with a train thumpiness more akin to 74 than 72, which is fine by me. Why Keith didn't play piano the way he does for the end of this wild and powerful casey jones is beyond me. They kill this one like it's the last time they'll ever play. WOW, JUST WOW..WHAT A SHOW..GET IT, LISTEN TO IT, WHATEVER, DO LET IT PASS YOU BY.



::wipes brow, mistakes dog for beautiful woman, makes out with dog::



Sound 7/10

Show 10/10

Overall 9.9/10 - November 17, 2010Membership in the GD Pantheon

Reviewer: sugareesalibi - favorite favorite favorite favorite - November 16, 2010

Subject: Punk Star? Can't believe no one in the comments below has drawn this correlation as of yet. This Dark Star is not only fantastic but the back half of the song is one great example of the Dead (specifically Phil) exploring musical themes that would eventually go on to become what we know of as "punk".



As a former punk listener I was pleasantly surprised to hear Phil thumping some very familiar bass lines years before those bass lines were familiar to anyone (much less dubbed as "punk").



Very, very good shit here. - November 16, 2010Punk Star?

Reviewer: laughingsam - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - October 20, 2009

Subject: Bash the mix all you want, this is 5 stars Like a lot of streams on here, this mix is uneven (Bobby is loud and Jerry too low). But this is SOOOO correctible that it's hardly worth mentioning. You can adjust the balance on your receiver toward the left channel -- the Jerry side. Or use a wave editor and just amplify the entire left channel throughout the concert. It gives you nearly perfect results.



I agree with other reviews that this is an exceptionally well-played show. I especially like the Dark Star, but the entire show is impressive. - October 20, 2009Bash the mix all you want, this is 5 stars

Reviewer: oh_uh_um_ah - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - March 21, 2009

Subject: The GRATEFUL DEAD "Live On Stage" October 18, 1972, at the Fox Theatre, St. Louis, MO, U.S.A. `



~^|\_@|@_/|^~

~/\~



I recommend adding the October 17th, 18th, & 19th, shows from the Fox Theatre to your 1972 collection.



Eat, Drink, Be Merry and Listen to the GRATEFUL DEAD.



Thanks for the love from the Fox Theatre, St. Louis. - March 21, 2009The GRATEFUL DEAD "Live On Stage" October 18, 1972, at the Fox Theatre, St. Louis, MO, U.S.A.

Reviewer: cb18201 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - February 4, 2009

Subject: wow.... is all i can say about this show. pretty amazing stuff throughout. the quality of the performance makes any small defects or flaws (very few) seem insignificant. This recording almost sounds like a Bear-Board. Someone mentioned him being there. His boards always have the guitars sounding a certain way. Real crystal clear chimey/clangy tones. Dick's Picks 23 at Baltimore Civic Center on 9/17/72 or Dicks Picks 36 at The Spectrum on 9/21/72 are perfect examples of this sound. Also note before they play Beat It On Down The Line you can hear them discussing how many beats to start it off with then they decide on 14. I dont know what Bobby hesitated for after the 14th beat but they always seem to flub the intro of this song and its always funny. listen to this show, it will do your mind good. - February 4, 2009wow....

Reviewer: golfmann - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - December 9, 2008

Subject: Darkstar I was THERE.....



Darkstar was the night! Those of us there will never forget the mirror ball that became another Dead member that night!



:) - December 9, 2008Darkstar

Reviewer: SkyDawg - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - October 18, 2008

Subject: Playin' Like It's 1973 This slice of classic Grateful Dead from 1972 is an early hint at the delights that would come in the Fall of 1973 when they break into one of the greatest jam passages of their storied 30 year career. I am of course referring to the monster 2nd set sequence of Playing In The Band>Drums>Dark Star>Morning Dew>Playing In The Band that hints of jams to come a year later on shows like 11/14/73 San Diego, 11/17/73 UCLA, and 11/21/73 Denver when the band would use a song like Playing In The Band or The Other One as a base from which to launch a long jam sequence that would revisit the original song, after touching on other songs and then return back to base to wrap things up in fine fashion. The effect is hypnotic and when it's all over you feel you have travelled through many worlds. This is classic Grateful Dead and worthy of a five star rating. - October 18, 2008Playin' Like It's 1973

Reviewer: Don Turnbee - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - November 27, 2007

Subject: oustanding beautiful, inspired show. for those who want more Jerry, and less Bobby, ease 'balance' knob toward left channel. - November 27, 2007oustanding

Reviewer: clashcity - favorite favorite favorite - September 2, 2007

Subject: Where's The FOTD? Deadbase shows Friend of The Devil being played where this show has Deal in the setlist. Does anyone know which is correct?



The Deal is hot but certainly not from this night...



As good as this show is the missing song and the buzzing sound prevalent on most tracks.. "digital noise" perhaps... its distracting.



Anyway.. set list isn't correct... who's got the FOTD? - September 2, 2007Where's The FOTD?

Reviewer: rollandfin - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - November 7, 2006

Subject: Playin'

This show has a lot of interesting points, the playin>drums>DS>Dew>Playin is a little november 73 flavour too it, and the jam inside Dark Star that would end up in China>Rider is an early interest. Also great to see Brokedown Palace worked in the end.



happy to share this and the strand with some good listeners, email me at fieldhouse11277@ Certainly the playin in the Band is great, 5/26/72 is stronger IMO (shame you cant' stream that one), when it came to jazzy multi layered exploration, Playin' really took flight in Europe and lasted througout, really 77. But great to see it still striving later in 72. I find that playin' themes relate to some of the looser jazzy dark star's and spaces throught 72-74 before Jerry started to colour outside the lines more with guitar, still cool but not as tranquele as in mid72. Same with Bird Song, almost as if they are going noware, but enjoying the ride.This show has a lot of interesting points, the playin>drums>DS>Dew>Playin is a little november 73 flavour too it, and the jam inside Dark Star that would end up in China>Rider is an early interest. Also great to see Brokedown Palace worked in the end.happy to share this and the strand with some good listeners, email me at fieldhouse11277@ hotmail.com - November 7, 2006Playin'

Reviewer: slimboyhowdy - favorite favorite - August 6, 2006

Subject: please please tune up before playing! could be, should be, would be a great great GREAT stream if only bobby would tune up! for all the complaining bobby did about the drummers and wavering tempos, i wish he would have tuned more often. - August 6, 2006please please tune up before playing!

Reviewer: deadhead1 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - April 6, 2006

Subject: Desperate help with downloading Hey, man. I had been been using this site for a while, but stopped for the past several months. In that time the format has changed and Instead of downloading options it merely says "The show is available streaming". I can find no way to download, or even listen to it. Any help is much appreciated. - April 6, 2006Desperate help with downloading

Reviewer: Xpanding MAn - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - March 21, 2006

Subject: Warp-speed mind-colonic :) I'll echo the sentiments of the gentleman a few posts down....i've grown up a bit, gotten into hardcore jazz, bach, lots of things in between. sadly, not many dead shows 'do it for me' anymore. this one is an exception; as a fellow musician i can attest that the real pure magical shit doesn't truly happen often, even when you're as good as they were at creating conduscive situations for magic. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE SHOWS, IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT, GET IT. - March 21, 2006Warp-speed mind-colonic :)

Reviewer: stealyerface - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - February 3, 2006

Subject: anybody got a copy? What a show...anybody got a copy of this second set? If so PLEASE email to set up a trade/B&P dwray@ ucsd.edu . Cheers! - February 3, 2006anybody got a copy?

Reviewer: crazyfingers88 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - October 26, 2005

Subject: phil - god of thunder the end of dark star is worth the download. phil just takes a pounding solo - then smooth into i know you rider. check it out!!!!! - October 26, 2005phil - god of thunder

Reviewer: Lewis/Klitschko - favorite favorite favorite favorite - October 2, 2005

Subject: Re: Great show, obviously, but not the optimum sound presentation. This and 9/24 would be first and second on my list for already circulating '72 soundboards that should be Dick's Picked. - October 2, 2005Re:

Reviewer: humandonkey - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - October 2, 2005

Subject: heavy stuff... everybody knows that '72 is total peak-performance dead, but in a year of stunning shows, this is a real bad mutha. easy top 5 material. bobby is higher than usual in the mix, which actually ends up adding quite a bit to the overall vibe of the show... however, it's phil who will shatter yr brain on this one. he's colossal, and does'nt mind a bit, thank you very much. the first set is pretty darn great thanks to a raw jammin' Bird Song, great versions of Loser, Jack Straw & BRRB. but it's the titanic version of China/Rider that puts it over the proverbial "edge". phil is bombing, jerry is peeling off leads like crazy, and bobby is absolutely clutch in the transition jam. his guitar is warm and fuzzy and he's goin' balls out... really nice stuff. but as nice as all of that is, the second set is where the earth stops turning, people stop breathing, and everything in the universe comes to a stand still. the playing>drums>dark star>dew>playing monolith is really without a parallel. it is as cosmic/trancendant/etc. as anything that they've ever played. the segue's are so ON, so perfect, that it really all seems preordained by a higher force. playing starts the whole bugger off, and right off the bat, jerry is just fucking FLYING... it's like a warp-speed mind-colonic. clears you out real good. bringing things down to earth is billy's drum part, but you know there's much more to come... enter dark star. one of my favorites of all time and certainly one of '72's best... the post-verse meltdown is exquisite, and then comes one of phil's most pummelling solo's of all time. he's so heavy and brutal that it'll shake yr bowels loose. he drives the big bad thing straight into a devine "feelin' groovy jam" that'll make you smile so wide you can't fucking stand it.... the entry into Morning Dew is'nt one of the power chord, stun-gun ones... it's just jerry picking those notes nice and softly... this version is great, but the real kicker is what in my opinion is theee greatest segue that the dead ever did.... right at Dew's crescendo, without batting an eye, jerry RIPS into Playin' again with a vengance... keith adds a great piano lick as well, and we're off into the great unknown again... this band is untouchable... holy shit. anyway, there is a great Brokedown Palace to mellow things out after all of that, and a mammoth OMSN, which un-mellows things right afterwards(btw, phil shreds on this version)... not much else to say really... a truly great show from a truly great band. - October 2, 2005heavy stuff...

Reviewer: Old_NJ_Head_Zimmer - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - September 27, 2005

Subject: Great Playing bad mix Playin'>Drumz>Dark Star>Bass Solo>Feelin' Groovy Jam>Morning Dew>Playin' is Great Great Great Stuff!! Jams flow and have great feel. Just wish Jery was up in the mix. Phil is stong in the mix (Which is great) just way too much Bobby. Seems to wash out some of Jerry Soloing. God this would be heaven with Bobby and Jerry reversed in the mix!! Still well worth many listens!! Still have to rate the show a 5 just for the above mentioned Sandwich!! - September 27, 2005Great Playing bad mix

Reviewer: stormweb - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - July 31, 2005

Subject: It all comes back now I was going to Kansas University and knew that I had to catch some of these shows at the Fox in St. Louis. Had tickets for the 17th and the 19th but after the first show didn't leave town knowing that I had to see them all. Met Bear backstage and he got me in early for this show, had my choice of seats. Three of the best nights of my life, and this show was the night. So glad to be able to hear it again after all these years.

It's actually a rather delicate show. And of course the best bass solo that I've ever heard from Phil. Highly recommended - July 31, 2005It all comes back now

Reviewer: Thymer - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 2, 2005

Subject: Kind 72' Nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile :) - May 2, 2005Kind 72'

Reviewer: markgugs - favorite favorite favorite favorite - April 27, 2005

Subject: Mix is fine, show is hot! To these ears, it's wonderful to actually hear Bobby's contributions to the night's festivities. Just like seemingly every other show from fall 1972, this show is exceptionally played, with hot versions of standard songs, and some great segue-jamming in the 2nd set.



First set features lots of ordinary songs, but nearly all played with some extra pep and zest it seems. Things really start to heat up with hot versions of Loser & Jack Straw followed by an absolutely incendiary Big RxR Blues before coming to a screeching finish with yet another hot China > Rider.



Wasting not one second, the boys get down to business to start the 2nd set. And I do mean BUSINESS. 1972 was the year Playin' really came into its own, the Dead finding new & inventive ways to jam the hell out of the song almost every single night. By late fall, they had begun toying with using the song to structure entire jams in and around, and this 10-18 show is just such a showcase. Jerry noodles some gorgeous melodies over incredibly strong drumming before letting Billy take over the spotlight for a few minutes, then lets the band jam its way back into...Dark Star? It's a treat to get a hot Playin', and it's a treat to get a hot Dark Star, but in the same jam?! Somebody call a doctor! Dark Star is naturally massive in its own right, with layer upon layer of melody and jam and just the right amount of "interstellar travel." As they sometimes did back then, Dark Star winds its way down into an absolutely stunning and powerful Morning Dew. As the song builds to its incredible climax, Jerry strums harder & harder, only to lead the band back into Playin'!



Folks, this is why you listen to the Dead. The rest of the show is fun and well-played, but it seems as if even the band is spent after that 70-minute jamming tour de force that started the set off. Disc 2 alone is worth the download, get it.



Sound: A

Show: A - April 27, 2005Mix is fine, show is hot!

Reviewer: Tampa Red - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - March 23, 2005

Subject: One of the best shows of a peak year This show has been in circulation for such a short time that it seems to be virtually unknown, but wow, this is absolutely stellar stuff! Not only is the song sequence a dream, but the playing is appropriately inspired to be sure. Hard to say which you'll like better, the Playin or the Dark Star. I love the mix, by the way; for once Weir's turned up as loud as everybody else is, and you can actually hear everything he's playing. - March 23, 2005One of the best shows of a peak year

Reviewer: dirty jev-o - favorite favorite - October 30, 2004

Subject: personally.... hey...all the shows the dead did in 72 smoke ass.....!!! this recording however features loud rhythm guitar {too loud} by bobby the masta blasta...jerry's vocals are very low.....i was sober when listening and disappointed by all the 5 star reviews check the tape again and rock on archivers!! - October 30, 2004personally....

Reviewer: japhyryder - favorite favorite favorite favorite - April 22, 2004

Subject: fantastic playing > dark star > creshendoes! wow! bassjamfeelinggroovyjam its good

bobby's up in the mix at times

jerry shines in spacy jam and in rolling notes with kieth in playin & dark star, bass jam & feeling groovy (or uncle john's band???) jam, really stellar , really in the transition between 72 & 73, not honey, a bit more raw, but finely worked nonetheless. - April 22, 2004fantastic playing > dark star > creshendoes! wow! bassjamfeelinggroovyjam