The second set begins with Don’t Ease Me In. Relatively standard fare, though estimable in its own right, the song masks the fireworks that are to come. A powerful Samson bursts forth next, setting the trajectory for the rest of the show and leading up to a far out Sugaree, rolling and crescendoing over and over again in spirited, begging fashion. After a short pause, the band returns with a monster Terrapin with Jerry in control, but also including incredible contributions from Phil and Brent. Afterwards, the first notes of Playin’ in the Band offer an emotional release. Exhilarating insanity ensues as the band delivering an epic, unbridled performance and the crowd howls their approval. Drums and Space follow with some purposeful noodling building through Space, exploring the metaphysics of the universe before plucking Stella Blue right out of the ether. The Stella is revelatory and finely paced before morphing into a blistering Truckin’ that once again sends the crowd into hysterics. A bluesy, funk-laden jam at the end of the Truckin’ gives the assembled a slight breather before the boys surge forward again into Around and Around to close the set. Then the band encores a surprise Shakedown, sending the show and the tour – Brent’s first – out in high fashion.

People always post some great commentary on Archive, and the stories from people who were there are usually the best. Today, we just had to share Rob’s experiences as related in the comments there:

Having missed some earlier Canadian offerings (Vancouver 73, Festival Express 72), I was in dire need of my 1st Dead show, so, upon hearing of the concert while I sat in a jail cell doin’ 30 days for stealing a pack of sausages…on a dare…to feed the hungry wet, and cold, night time psilocybin mushroom pickers, all 25 of em’, I got thrown in the hooskow with a gram of hash stuck firmly into my cheek. I heard of the show in Seattle and I took this little red head, get this, that I met at the Greyhound bus stop, the day of my release (hard time I tell ya), and she jumped my bones in broad daylight behind the bus depot!! (well, we were in the trees), so, she and I hooked up for a few weeks and headed down to Seattle. I was in heaven, sparked up and what can ya say, seemed like 4 hours of solid fusion for what, 4.50? Wow.