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Pathetically, I avoided listening to this because it was not a soundboard. But after reading ICEPETAL's enthusiasum about AUD's, & especially WALL OF SOUND aud's on the GD Listening Guide, I had to listen. I've heard the MATRIX of 6/23/74, which was REALLY GOOD, so I figured this could be special as well---why was I surprised? Some of the early audience noise was mildly irritating, but it was quickly overshadowed by the power of the music.



Promised Land being the 1st song of MANY shows, it could be a throw-away, but as most of '74 was pretty damn good, this version packed a punch. The Miss 1/2 Step>IMHBTR is not to be missed. It seems a lot of folks DO NOT enjoy Phil & Ned/Seastones from '74, but this may be THE ONE that even they can listen to & like to a point. About half way through it starts to come as close to an actual song structure as any of the other ones I've heard. You can hear people in the AUD talking about "what it is" they're hearing, & I think I heard someone say something to the effect that this was "the last chance he was giving the Dead."



Second set's PITB sandwich is as spectacular as any other in '74---there isn't much else to say about it than that. Ship Of Fools is another gem in the '74 crown.



A solid 4 '74 Stars, but don't take my word for it... More straw into gold, man!

- January 14, 2009why'd I avoid listenting to this?