Friday, February 25, 1966

The sound clarity and balance are exceptional, and the historical value is deep. The performance is full of adventure. It’s brimming with novelty, excitement, and a sunny glance ahead into the enormous untapped future that was just ahead of the Grateful Dead. Bill Kreutzmann already had complete mastery of his instrument. This is an incredible exhibition of his early work. Jerry, Bob, and Phil had serious chops, but were really only just getting started with electric guitars and bass.

Besides all the controversy about what show this actually is, this is nothing short of amazing. The Dead are simply on with every single track, and nail it consistently. It's hard for me to believe that this is a live recording, and I Know You Rider and Cold Rain and Snow far surpass the 1965 studio recordings. There is a palpable energy in the old blues-era live recordings, a real feeling that anything and everything might happen in a show.