This lively show from Munich doesn’t get the same attention as some of the other Europe ’72 performances, and I’m guessing that’s because the big jam is a very, very weird Dark Star and most of the other highlights are the shorter numbers. But tonight’s concert has a lot to recommend, including an incredible Morning Dew (coming out of the Dark Star) and several other classic numbers, like Ramble on Rose.
I mean, come one, the first set of this show opens with Truckin’ and ends with Casey Jones – isn’t that a recipe for a great night? But what else do we have to offer? How about Mr. Charlie, which always sees Jerry playing his finger half off. Good Lovin’, which is not stretched out to boring proportions, is about as good as you’re going to get on this tour – it might be my favorite version so far, because of the concentrated firepower on display. In fact, all of the Pigpen songs here are really, really good.
The second set opens with a huge version of Sittin’ on Top of the World, anchored by more guitar work from Jerry. As I said before, Ramble on Rose may be one of the best ones of all time. And towards the end of the night, Sing Me Back Home is perfect – great, sentimental vocals and a huge solo from Jerry, and Donna is in good voice – what more can we ask for?
How about that Dark Star>Morning Dew? The Dark Star is a very free version – it doesn’t have those melodic middle or closing passages (other than a brief Jerry/Bob duet prior to the verse) that anchor the best ones from this tour, but what it does have is some truly bizarre passages of feedback and atonal shrieking. This won’t be a Dark Star for everyone, but if you like them strange, this one is for you. And to make things better, it’s followed by a classic Morning Dew that draws you in from the first notes and doesn’t let you go – you’ll hang on tight just to hear where the boys go next. It’s a highlight of the tour.
This one is sneaky good – enjoy it here: https://archive.org/details/gd1972-05-18.sbd.miller.79057.sbeok.flac16
Daily Dose Of The Dead 