10/24/71: detroit, MI w/NRPS

another unheralded show from 1971, took place at the eastown theatre in detroit. a notable addition to this tour was keith godchaux on keyboards who, on this evening, was all over it on the shittiest, most out-of-tune piano in michigan. after a fine opening set from the new riders (w/garcia on pedal steel), the new and improved good ‘ol grateful dead played one of their best gigs of their autumn run. the pinnacle of the night is a magnificent dark star that occurs midway into the second set. extremely loose, and open, the playing is a voyage, constantly going in unexpected directions. upon listening, one can easily see why dick latvala grouped this version with his all-time favorites. give it a spin.

https://archive.org/details/gd1971-10-24.sbd.miller.125887.flac16