Our Dead of the Day has the Dead back on the West Coast for the second night of their run at Shoreline after the eastern turn of their fall tour in ’87. From the very beginning, at least two things are clear: first, that the boys are having a great deal of fun and, second, that Brent is absolutely throwing down on the keys. While everyone is playing wonderfully, Brent’s keys rise above, continually pushing the jams and providing impeccable fills. With the Hey Pocky Way opener, the boys bring some excitement, playing it for just the fifth time. From there, a scorching Minglewood bursts forth, followed up by a tasty Candyman that just soars on the wings of Jerry’s guitar, especially in the…

For our Dead of the Day we take it back to that seminal year, 1977, and a hot show from the Paramount Theater in Portland, Oregon. From the very beginning it is clear that something special is afoot as the Dead start off by breaking out Casey Jones for the first time since 1974. What’s more, Jerry forgets the third verse, leading to a series of lengthy jams by both Garcia and Keith before Jerry finally finds the lyrics. The set continues to roll, eventually coming to an even bigger breakout with Dupree’s coming off an eight-year hiatus. The Let It Grow that comes out afterwards is magnificent, soaring to a massive Lazy Lightning jam before Deal sends it into the break. The second…

Other shows from this date – try 1976 – are quite good, but the this show from 1994 at the Boston Garden stands out as one of the best of the year. It is rare to find a show from the mid-‘90s that shines from top to bottom, but this night is filled with enlightened playing throughout. The show starts strong with a Help> Slip> Franklin’s opener. Slipknot! blazes into some dark and active territory, raising images of a massive battle raging amongst the stars. But then the boys transition out of the otherworldly to reign over a terrestrial landscape with the sublimity of Franklin’s Tower. The Walkin’ Blues that comes out next is a treat too, especially with Vince’s enchanting keys. The rest…