10-14-1976
Shrine Auditorium
Los Angeles, California
The Dead returned to Los Angeles for the first time in three years for a two-show run within the confines of the sumptuous, sonically blessed Shrine Auditorium. The standalone Scarlet Begonias at the end of the first set and the incredible sandwich of Dancin’ In The Streets> Wharf Rat> Dancin’ in the second half are the epic centers around which the rest of the show orbits. But treats abound, especially in the first set; just take your pick of the beatific run from They Love Each Other through Looks Like Rain or the ferocious Music Never Stopped right before Scarlet. And that Scarlet is frantically high energy, positively bursting at the seams with pure unadulterated Dead outrageousness. Phil is on it from the start, laying in a funky bass line, and Donna sounds great, adding an extra edge with her melodic vocals. And, of course, there is Jerry streaking off at every opportunity with Keith and Bobby right behind. All of this culminates in the explosive harmonic cacophony of the final righteous jam. And giving it all just a bit more verve, the crowd is roaring its approval throughout on the legit MOTB audience tape.
They Love Each Other
Cassidy
Peggy-O
Big River
Ramble On Rose
Looks Like Rain
Deal
El Paso
Tennessee Jed
The Music Never Stopped
Scarlet Begonias
Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodleloo
Samson & Delilah
Ship Of Fools
Dancing In The Street >
Wharf Rat >
Dancing In The Street >
Around & Around
Encore:
Johnny B. Goode
Bob Weir – Guitar
Keith Godchaux – Keyboards
Phil Lesh – Bass
Bill Kreutzmann – Drums
Mickey Hart – Drums
Donna Jean Godchaux – Vocals
The deep-slotted Dancin’ in the second half is funky from the beginning, and the boys repeatedly blast off on eye-popping runs while the vocals sizzle. And then things get downright feverish with three or four minutes of just blistering boogieing before a seamless transition into Wharf Rat. At that point, the crowd roars in an joyous, ecstatic release that was probably mixed with just a little relief after that insatiable barn burner. But the Dead are far from done. The Wharf Rat has that down and out majesty, spilling out regally before charging to its own awe-inspiring heights in the latter half. And then it is back into Dancin’ for another round as the band storms forth and retreats in a flat-out, balls to the wall, voracious display. And, when you are all amped up at the end as you surely will be, just stick around for the scorching Around And Around closer and raging Johnny B. Goode encore.
Today’s Dead of the Day:
Other October 14th Shows and Recordings:
- 1977 – Hofheinz Pavilion, University of Houston – Houston, Texas
- 1980 – Warfield Theater – San Francisco, California
- 1983 – Hartford Civic Center – Hartford, Connecticut
- 1984 – Hartford Civic Center – Hartford, Connecticut
- 1988 – Miami Arena – Miami, Florida
- 1989 – Brendan Byrne Arena – East Rutherford, New Jersey
- 1994 – Madison Square Garden – New York, New York
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