04-21-1971 Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence, RI

1971-04-21Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence, RI
Set 1: Casey Jones, Mama Tried, Big Boss Man, Loser, Truckin' > Drums > The Other One > Wharf Rat, Hard To Handle, Cumberland Blues, Bird Song, Me And Bobby McGeeTruckin' >

Hard To Handle,

Me And Bobby McGee
Set 2: Bertha, Sugar Magnolia, Good Lovin' > Not Fade Away > Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad > Not Fade Away,
E: Uncle John's Band > E: Johnny B. Goode
Bertha,

Good Lovin' >
Corrections / Observations
Received by Dick1980-01-04
Tape SourceUnknown
Review Entry Date1981-01-28
Dick's ReviewThese 5 shows are very similar in style to the April 1971 shows at Fillmore East but I don’t think they quite reach the quality level of these 4 great shows. Also the performance itself doesn’t seem very inspired. Truckin' starts things off with a pretty sparkling version. Phil’s entry to The Other One is very exciting but what follows is especially satisfying: Phil seems to play lead riffs for quite awhile before they finally get to the lyrics about 5 minutes later. If you fantasized hearing Lesh extend himself on this tune then this is a great example of this attack! The highlight of the whole show probably is a very intense 5 min section between the verse to The Other One. Wharf Rat also had a little something special to it. Hard To Handle is done in its usual spectacular fashion and has to rival any other version except 8/6/71 - Hollywood Palladium. Cumberland Blues is also pretty hot. Everything after this is done very well but the final jam definitely is a step above. Good Lovin' seems intense even though we don’t get anything very spectacular in the way of instrumental orgasms. The remainder of the jam is quite typical of every version during this period of time. Nothing particularly unique but still very satisfying.