1974-05-25 Santa Barbara, CA

 

5/25/74 – Santa Barbara, CA **

The show get's going a lot sooner than the previous nights. After good-but-nothing-special opening renditions of US Blues and Mexicali Blues. But then Deal starts showing us what mood the guys are in tonight and that is fully realised by the incredible Jack Straw that follows. 

It has instantly vaulted itself into my Top 10 already. Wow! Scarlet is uptempo like in Seattle, but instead of being rushed-sounding, tonight it is energetically enthusiastic. Donna provides some Yoko wailing that doesn't suck, also! Also, I must say that the overall “vibe” tonight is much better than recent shows and that palpable enthusiasm is definitely noticeable. 

The next highlight after Scarlet is the excellent 8 minute Sugaree. It's just perfect in every way. China>Rider is DELICIOUS tonight, maybe besting the 5/17 version from Vancouver. It smokes and crackles and roars and rampages in the best ways. Everyone is going full-steam ahead towards a brick wall at 90 miles per hour. Jerry's soloing is just out of this world perfect. 

Around and Around tonight IS HOTTER THAN THE SURFACE OF THE FRICKIN SUN HOLY CRAP. 

Ship Of Fools is outright superb tonight. This version is PHENOMENAL. Great Keith playing. 

Next up, Truckin>Let It Grow. Yup, the only version in 1974 not prefaced by the rest of the Weather Report Suite. So, Truckin goes nuts and the guys eventually melt down into full on Seastones for a bit. Then, they seamlessly transfigure themselves into playing Let It Grow out of nowhere in one of the best segues I have ever heard. 

In LIG, Check out Jerry's solo around 2:40 into it. Frickin' awesome! This killer LIG then goes into one of the most awesome and powerful Wharf Rats I've ever heard. Holy crap. THAT INTRO!!! This Wharf is very uptempo and powerful to the point it almost sounds like a different song. Must-hear for sure. THIS WHARF IS OUTSTANDING. 

The main show then ends with a SMASHING OMSN that rocks your socks off before a rare encore of Casey Jones. Slightly odd in the lack of big jam numbers, but the playing is so great on this show and the vibe so up that you can't help but love it! Another great show!