The recording here is ostensibly from the Human Be-In on this date back in 1967. We say ostensibly because there is a lot of evidence suggesting this Morning Dew is actually from a later date, possibly even late 1968. But it does seem almost certain that the Viola Lee and Schoolgirl are actually from that fine day at the Polo Grounds in Golden Gate Park. Regardless, the music here is fantastic. The Morning Dew stretches its legs at a number of different points and builds and reforms into crescendo after crescendo. The Viola Lee Blues is as outstanding as they come with some great, loose bass playing, exceptional organ and drums, and brilliant guitar work, reaching a feverish, driving tempo. The Schoolgirl is a bawling…

On this day back in 1980, the Dead headlined a Cambodian refugee benefit that Joan Baez put together. In addition to Baez, the band shared the bill with Jefferson Starship, the Beach Boys, and Carlos Santana. The show starts with a good, but still tentative Jack Straw as the boys settle into the set. Then, with the first notes of Franklin’s Tower, you know things are on. The version is a bit subdued until the rousing, intense ending, but it is exceptionally well-played throughout, settling into some humming little grooves and featuring beautiful work on the guitar. After the Franklin’s, the boys pull out a fiery Minglewood. The Tennessee Jed that follows has some sweet blasts by Phil and just generally solid playing. Following that…

There are some sweet tunes in the first set – the Peggy-O really stands out for us – but the true fireworks are all in the second set. And, while the Samson and Must Have Been The Roses are more than worth the listen, it all lifts off with the epic Dancin’ In the Streets. The boys gets a funky, disco-fied groove going to start the tune off with Bobby and Donna taking the lead on a punchy vocal performance. But Jerry cannot be restrained, and he quickly nudges in with some incredible elastic guitar playing. Of course, Phil is not to be stopped either, and he quickly begins carpetbombing the tune. And within just a moment, the entire band is off and running on a sensational jam. Eventually, after some ridiculous playing, the rest of…