This is fast becoming one of my top solo Garcia recordings. Recorded over two nights at a dive bar in Frisco in July of 1973, it captures Jerry in what I consider to be the creative peak of his career. Taking a break from a tremendous run with the Dead and the release of the Europe 72 album, he was simultaneously playing with Merl at the bars, and also touring with the bluegrass band Old and In the Way (Grisman plays on a Dylan tune here). Merl takes Jerry on totally different tangents than most fans would expect at the time, introducing him to old standards like My Funny Valentine, Motown bits, a little Elvis, Jimmy Cliff reggae, and of course letting Jerry pay his homage to Dylan. The Bob has often stated that he thought Garcia was one of the best interpreters of his music, and there may be no better example of this than his version here below of Positively Fourth Street (Dawg on mandolin). There is a not a single a Grateful Dead song on all four discs. A handful of songs are duplicated in the two shows here, but it is a minor quibble. The playing is excellent and inspired,  and it is clear they are there for the sheer joy of just letting it air out. Betty Cantor was at the recording helm, and it is evident. The sound is clean and crisp. Listen up.

Here they tear up Mystery Train:

You may never hear Jerry sing better than this;