Review Summary: One of the band's most consistently entertaining live releases.
There are probably better played Dead shows from 1978 alone, but this is my favorite Grateful Dead live release. When I want to hear live music, I want to hear the vibe and energy, the ambience, the 'warts and all' passion. The Dead's New Year's Eve send-off to the Winterland Theatre is one big party, and an exceptionally well played show to boot.
Generally, the first set of a Dead concert was a bit more relaxed, with not many segues or jams in between songs. Not here. The band disregards first set etiquette from the get-go, bringing out the big guns of "Sugar Magnolia" -> "Scarlet Begonias" -> "Fire On The Mountain" to kick things off. And what a start: "Sugar Magnolia" is a delight, and the "Scarlet -> Fire" is one of the best ever. Weir's obligatory Western songs, usually gotten out of the way in the first set, have all the energy of second set barn burners, with Bob singing with gusto and the band responding accordingly. "Friend Of The Devil" is a smoldering affair, with Phil driving things along nicely. A pair of blues covers follows, both of which are well played but not quite as exciting as the previous tracks (I've never liked their take on "Stagger Lee"). Donna Jean's "From The Heart Of Me" isn't as bad as one would think, and she sings it well enough. Closing Set 1, we circle back to "Sugar Magnolia" for the "Sunshine Daydream" outro, which leaves you wanting more.
And more do you get! Set 2 begins with a barnstorming, tight "Samson and Delilah" that has the crowd on its feet and will have you pumping a fist in the air with every "Had My Way!" shout. Following is an utterly delightful, boisterous "Ramble On, Rose," one of my favorite live Dead songs. "I Need A Miracle" is raw and vibrant, leading into an elegant "Terrapin Station." "Playin' in the Band" isn't as spacey as earlier versions, but it's still a blast, and leads into the 'Drums' solo section quite nicely. Closing the set is a double shot of classic Dead covers, a thunderous "Not Fade Away" and one of the better versions of "Around And Around."
Set 3 opens with a massive surprise, with "Dark Star" crashing in for the first time since 1974. This isn't a way out there, spooked out epic like it was in earlier times, but rather a more relaxed, closer to the surface take. It's still quite beautiful and leads into an intense "The Other One" before reprising itself afterwards. A crimson colored "Wharf Rat" follows, one of the most spine chilling versions out there. "St. Stephen" has the crowd on its feet and it's a great set up for a wild "Good Lovin'." "Casey Jones" is up next, an always welcome addition, followed by a hot "Johnny B. Goode." Closing everything out is the a capella "And We Bid You Goodnight," an old gospel tune the band had not done live since 1971. After the show, the band set up a breakfast buffet for the crowd to send them home happy.
Are there better live Dead shows than "The Closing Of The Winterland"? Absolutely, but few are as fun as this one.
