09-18-1974
Parc des Expositions
Dijon, France
A beautiful Uncle John’s opens the show, the only time it served that function between 1971 and 1980. With Phil’s great bass, the precious rendering of the lyrics, and the absolutely entrancing guitar work from Jerry, the song puts the French crowd on notice that this is, indeed, going to be a special night. A top-flight Straw comes out next before a bouncy, faster, and so sweet rendering of FOTD. Black-Throated Wind keeps the magic going, Keith really standing out on what is a remarkable version. The stand-alone Scarlet that follows is just as good, as are the next four tunes. But things ratchet up a notch more with the heavenly To Lay Me Down. On it, Jerry and Donna deliver exquisite vocals and the playing is so graceful and sublime. But if the set is nearly perfect thus far, the 23-minute Playin’ closer puts it in another universe altogether. The music is so exploratory and innovative throughout that folks are hearing everything from Shakedown (shortly after the 12-minute mark) to Sly and the Family Stone. Regardless, this is some seriously trippy jazz tour-de-force.
After a Seastones set, the second half is no slouch either. The first four tunes, while all stunning in their own right, are just a warmup for the silky smooth Eyes with Jerry’s dazzling runs lighting it up and Phil’s ever-present bass putting a funky edge on the jazz masterpiece. At the end, the tune settles and wends into a diaphanous China Doll. He’s Gone eases out of that fragile and melancholy interstice. The pacing is entrancing with a knock-dead vocal harmonies and riffs before another righteous jam into Truckin’. And Truckin’, too, is solid, though all the more so for what surrounds it. Still, the boys are putting on a display all the way into Drums. Out of Drums, we get another jazzy turn, almost a Mind Left Body jam, before the boys head into the Caution theme in earnest. Keith is on throughout, providing a sort of center from which the rest of the band launches forth on various sallies until Jerry takes more command in the latter half, leading the band on a scintillating ride for the last few minutes. The jam finally winds down, and we get a momentary pause before a mesmerizing Ship of Fools. Johnny B. Goode then sees the set out with US Blues capping the entire evening. Endlessly enjoying, this show is the best of the European tour and, really, a standout from a tremendous year. The second recording here is a soundcheck before the show with some some incredible jamming and noodling from Jerry that rewards a careful listen.
Today’s Dead of the Day:
Other September 18th Shows and Recordings:
- 1970 – Fillmore East – New York, New York
- 1982 – Boston Garden – Boston, Massachusetts
- 1983 – Nevada County Fairgrounds – Grass Valley, California
- 1987 – Madison Square Garden – New York, New York
- 1988 – Madison Square Garden – New York, New York
- 1990 – Madison Square Garden – New York, New York
- 1991 – Madison Square Garden – New York, New York
- 1993 – Madison Square Garden – New York, New York
- 1994 – Shoreline Amphitheater – Mountain View, California
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