It’s no secret that Nassau Coliseum was a favorite venue of The Grateful Dead, as their 42 shows that took place there would suggest. The first shows the band would play here took place in 1973 and today marks the anniversary of the final one of those which completed a two-night run. This one and the night before it are renowned in Dead lore for being the first shows at which Jerry Garcia played his new customized guitar dubbed “Wolf.” And this Grateful Dead show, in particular, was deemed worthy enough by archivist David Lemieux to be released as Dave’s Picks Volume 38 in April of 2021. It’s not hard to see why as the entire show is a true mix of relaxed and effortless musical interplay with moments of pure improvisational psychedelia as only the Dead can deliver.
The Dead kick off night two at Nassau with a spirited “Bertha,” with bassist Phil Lesh coming in loud and clear on the early mix. After navigating through the popular opener with ease, guitarist Bob Weir takes over lead vocals for a run through of “Me And My Uncle” that gets a roar of approval from the Nassau faithful. Things then slow down and groove a lot more thanks to the “Sugaree” that follows, one of the first set highlights despite some feedback issues. Jerry Garcia’s pristine vocals help fuel a version that peaks nicely by the end.
Thankfully, by “Tennessee Jed” the sound issues seem to be resolved and the band returns in kind with one of the first extended jams of the night, this one of the slow build variety. Taking advantage of the clearer sound space, the Dead follow this up with a powerful version of “Looks Like Rain,” another vintage Weir-led tune. The “Row Jimmy” that appears later in the set follows in the footsteps of “Jed” with more beautifully patient and ascending interplay, with notable additions from Keith and Donna Jean Godchaux on keys and vocals, respectively.
An already full and complete opening set then gets graced with a complete “Weather Report Suite” with the newly unleashed “Let It Grow” on the back end, a classic Grateful Dead song that first debuted at Nassau Coliseum the night before. After yet another emotional peak, the set could have easily ended here as well but instead the band rips through a flawless “Eyes Of The World” that starts fast and doesn’t let up.
A second set that’s also chock full o’ music begins with a “Greatest Story Ever Told” with some fiery guitar fills provided by Garcia with Donna Jean, like the rest of the band, sounding fully engaged. “Ramble On Rose” then follows, with the “Just like New York City” lyric and another incendiary Garcia guitar solo both getting noticeable roars of approval from the Long Island crowd. The early stages of the second set also feature a rarity in the live debut of “Sing Your Blues Away” with Keith Godchaux taking a surprising turn on lead vocals. The aforementioned Dave’s Picks Volume 38 was the first live Dead album to contain this song, which is no surprise since it was played only six times September of 1973 and then never again. Although it would be featured on the band’s Wake Of The Flood album released later this year.
Things return to a very familiar place right afterwards with “China Cat Sunflower” and the customary seamless intro to “I Know You Rider” that comes along with it. An oddly placed mid-second set “El Paso” comes next and goes off without a hitch, setting the table for another one of the emotional peaks of the evening. With the Dead still somewhat in the early stages of the post-Pigpen era, an emotional and stretched out “He’s Gone” takes place at Nassau this evening, with some delicate interplay between guitars and keys.
“Truckin'” revs the energy in the building back up with Garcia continuing to lead the way on another breakneck exploratory jam. The band then rides this wave all the way to set’s end with their heralded covers of “Not Fade Away” and “Going Down The Road Feelin’ Bad” that leave the Nassau Dead Heads wanting more. The encore selections seem to match the general sentiment of this run-closing show: a poignant, expressive “Stella Blue” followed by a rollicking, high energy “One More Saturday Night.” Afterwards, the Dead would continue on about their tour of Northeast cities in September of 1973.
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Grateful Dead – Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum – Uniondale, NY 9/8/73
Set 1: Bertha, Me and My Uncle, Sugaree, Beat It On Down The Line, Tennessee Jed, Looks Like Rain, Brown Eyed Women, Jack Straw, Row Jimmy, Weather Report Suite Prelude-> Weather Report Suite Part 1-> Let It Grow, Eyes Of The World-> China Doll
Set 2: Greatest Story Ever Told, Ramble On Rose, Big River, Let Me Sing Your Blues Away, China Cat Sunflower-> I Know You Rider, El Paso, He’s Gone-> Truckin’-> Not Fade Away-> Goin’ Down The Road Feelin’ Bad-> Not Fade Away,
E: Stella Blue-> One More Saturday Night
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