We Bid You Good Night...

During a momentary pause after a wild "Truckin" here again behind the fence barricade I listen for the next song. (this is probably one of few moments that DSO doesn't transition into another song) Its been an intense 2nd set, one full of powerful musical tangents. Early in the set is "Scarlet Begonias" with its wa-wa pedal guitar that leads itself into "Fire On the Mountain" an appropriate pairing being that the guitar remains with the effect (and that whole caribbean sound of the grooves).

"Not Fade Away" with its lengthy excursion probably takes the cake in terms of jams. The prettiest however in my opinion is "Wharf Rat", there is a certain yearning within the melody that is haunting as well as solitary.

"St. Stephen" a song that is from the early Dead repertoire appears appears before "Not fade Away" and is revisited after "Wharf Rat".

Donna Jean joins DSO for "Good Love" (and stayed through the end of the show), quite a departure from the plight of musical explorations thus far in the second set. But one knows with the Dead, the formulaic set lists are designed more so as ventures rather than anything else. The depth of playing is vast within 2nd sets of the Dead more so than in 1st sets.

Its officially August 1, Jerry's Birthday the band pronounces this fact and deicates the song, "Don't Let Go". The song goes into double time at the end while Kadlecik's guitar wanders off through obscure harmonies. You can hear the keyboard comp in the same vein in the same obscure key. I realize how tight this band is. The song slows and seems that it will end, trailing like a musical stream of consciousness, a description not to far from how many would describe Jerry's style, I'm sure. The tune appears again in the original tempo as it comes to an end.

A very appropriate ending is delivered a cappella, "I Bid you Goodnight" a trademark of Dead shows.

Lastly DSO mentions that the show is a replica of the November 6, 1977 Binghamton, N.Y. show.

Goodnight Vibes, see you tomorrow...