Set 1:
Promised Land , Sugaree , Mexicali Blues , Loser , Black Throated Wind , Tennessee Jed , El Paso , Big Railroad Blues , Box Of Rain , China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider , Beat It On Down The Line , Brown Eyed Women , Around And Around , Casey Jones
Set 2:
Bertha [1] > Greatest Story Ever Told [1] , He's Gone [1] , Jack Straw [1] , Deal [1] , Playing In The Band [1] , Mississippi Half Step [1] , Sugar Magnolia [1] , One More Saturday Night
Encore:
Uncle John's Band
[1] Released
Today we only have two extant shows from this date in Dead history, and, for one of them, only the second set is available. However, that set is so tasty, that we turn to it for our Dead of the Day, mainly because the show is rightfully known for one of the best Playins the band ever put together. But there are also some other absolutely top-shelf performances outside the Playin’ in this tasty second set soundboard. In particular, the Phil-driven transition from Bertha into Greatest Story is something else, as is the continuing rubber-band bass and bright, driving cartoon space war that ensues throughout the tune. And then the He’s Gone that comes out next is one of the most spiritual and resonant in a long line of sweet versions. On this He's Gone, it is not just the consummate vocals - though they are there too - but some intensely mellow, perfectly lovely, and highly inventive jams that the band throws into the mix. But, as we said, the show is defined by the Playin’. Like with the Greatest Story, there is no let-up through the bulk of the Playin’, coming as it does in rapid fire fashion with tasty licks piling on insatiable runs, all of which spirals, reforms, and returns once again in quick, chaotic succession. Phil is up in the mix and raining down the bombs while Jerry - oh that superlative Jerry sound - Bobby, and Keith blitz off in every direction imaginable. More than a few people have commented that this Playin’ is almost exhausting to listen to, so focused, but covering such expansive territory, all in a blistering, charging manner. But, eventually, towards the end a respite of sorts arrives as the band cools into a spacey, rhapsodic velvet that takes the Playin’ out. And afterwards, there is still more great music to take in, including the Sugar Mags and Uncle John’s.
Credit:https://www.gratefuldeadoftheday.com/11-18-1972