Musically, the shows on this date back in ’70 and ’78 might be a bit better, but our Dead of the Day is about far more than just the playing. Back in July of ‘86, Jerry had slipped into a diabetic coma. Five days later, he awoke, but had lost many basic functions, making it unclear whether he would ever be able to play the guitar again. Jerry, being Jerry, quickly reacquired his musical abilities and, rather miraculously, took the stage a few short months later. This show is the final, and best, evening of the band’s first three-night return run. While the music is a bit rough around the edges, the energy and emotions – from both the band and the audience – are powerful. And nothing was more emotional than the Jerry tunes in the second set, starting with the Ship Of Fools and its somewhat eerie – given the circumstances – lyrics. Then there is a tremendous He’s Gone. But the topper of it all was the Black Peter, leaving nary a dry eye in the building, especially after the “one more day, I find myself alive” line; just tell us you do not get chills listening to Jerry sing out those words and the crowd respond with hearty cheers. But Jerry had one more in him that night, capping the evening with a beautiful Brokedown Palace. While we always appreciate a smoking hot show, it is a night like this that truly makes us thankful for all the Grateful Dead has given us.