08-14-1979
McNichols Sports Arena
Denver, Colorado
After the first show of what was meant to be a three-day stand at Red Rocks, heavy rain switched the scene to Denver’s McNichols Arena. Though lacking the extraordinary backdrop of Red Rocks, the music at this show, the last of the run, is still sublime. Also of note is the fact that Brent, after eighteen shows with the Dead, debuts his first original tune. That Easy To Love You comes in the middle of the first set. And while it has nothing near the heartfelt fervor of a 1990 version (e.g. March 15, 1990), the tune is well received, garnering some hearty hoots from the audience. However, the real gem of the first half is the insane Music Never Stopped. There, Bobby locks down the vocals, Brent and the rest of the boys add luscious harmonies, and Jerry lights up the interstices before everyone blasts off on a relentless, sizzling jam into set break.
Jack-A-Roe
Mama Tried >
Mexicali Blues
Tennessee Jed
Easy To Love You
Passenger
Stagger Lee
The Music Never Stopped
Ship Of Fools
Samson & Delilah
Terrapin Station >
Playing In The Band >
Drums >
Space >
Not Fade Away >
Stella Blue >
Good Lovin’
Encore:
U.S. Blues >
Johnny B. Goode
Bob Weir – Guitar
Brent Mydland – Keyboards
Phil Lesh – Bass
Bill Kreutzmann – Drums
Mickey Hart – Drums
A rocking Promised Land opens the second half before a mournful Ship Of Fools. Then, Jerry lays in some fantastic licks while the drummers pound away on a powerful Samson. Afterwards, the band turns to Terrapin, which progresses regally towards the dramatic coda and on through a mesmerizing little jam into Playin’. And the Playin’ itself is off the charts, the band wending brilliantly through a landscape of kaleidoscopic splendor as the drummers slowly take command. Mickey stays out following Drums, leading to a particularly dark and probing Space that threads the needle into Not Fade Away, which itself eventually spills forth joyously. At the end, the crowd takes over, aiding the segue to a rapturous Stella. Jerry and the band build the pathos and poignancy in a masterfully restrained rendering before unleashing a stunningly beautiful jamming lament at the end. Good Lovin’ then washes over the scene, providing a gleeful release. A double encore of US Blues and Johnny B Goode closes out the night and the trio of Colorado shows.

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