Greetings, and welcome to the start of our December run of great Grateful Dead music here at the Tapers’ Section. This week we have a couple of huge jams from 1971, plus some tasty material from 1973 and 1979.

Our first stop this week is at the Felt Forum in New York City, which is now known as the Theatre at Madison Square Garden, located on the ground floor of MSG, with the ice surface and basketball court a few stories above. From 12/4/71, we have the very unique jam featuring Me and My Uncle>The Other One>Jam>Mexicali Blues>Wharf Rat. What makes this jam so intriguing is that by late 1971, it was quite common to hear The Other One split by a cowboy song (the most common example of which was The Other One>Me and My Uncle>The Other One), whereas this version of the jam features two cowboy tunes sandwiching an Other One. Neato.

Next up, from the next night at the same venue, on 12/5/71, we have another stellar jam, this one featuring Dark Star Jam>Me and My Uncle>Dark Star Jam>Sitting On Top Of The World. By this time, Keith had already fully integrated himself into the band and was an essential part of the sound that would continue through the next few years. Add to this the return of Pigpen to the touring band, and you have a remarkably dynamic band.

From the middle night of the magical three night run at the Boston Music Hall on the Fall Tour of 1973, we have a quintet of tunes, China Cat Sunflower>I Know You Rider, Big River, Brokedown Palace, Weather Report Suite from 12/1/73. WRS would be played at all three of these concerts, and all were exceptional.

Finally this week we jump forward to 1979, to 12/3/79 in Chicago. This very unique post-Drums sequence that ends the concert features Lost Sailor>Saint of Circumstance>Wharf Rat>Truckin’, with the latter tune being a very rare way to end a show in 1979.

Be sure to check back next week for some exceptional music from 1969 through 1979. It’s always great to see you here at the Tapers’ Section.

David Lemieux
vault@dead.net