Fox Theatre, St. Louis, MO 12-10-71
Looking back is not always a good thing. However when it comes to the Grateful Dead it is often a very good thing! On the cusp of the 50th anniversary of the Dead’s historic “Europe 72” album and with numerous reissues planned for 2022, this review focuses on an American show that took place in December 1971, just a few months before the band took off for their first European tour and into rock-n-roll history.
On this night in St. Louis, the band is in great form, similar to the Europe 72 double album. You can hear it in every backbeat and pounding keyboard lick, this is a band having a great time playing live. There is an energy that could not last from the over the top vocals by Bob and Jerry to the relentless uptempo songs. Unlike Europe 72 which cherry picks the best of the tour, Fox Theatre (yes that’s the spelling) gives the listener a chance to hear one entire show. From tuning between numbers to the occasional banter (see Truckin’) this is a full concert delight.
Another excellent feature of this album, besides the surprise take on Chuck Berry’s “Run Rudolph Run”, is the overall sound of the album. In a world of over re-mastered, loudness war, reissues. This recording feels warm and authentic. If you are old enough to remember tapes, or even better bootleg tapes, you will love the sound of this album. Some Deadheads claim that the 74-76 version of the band was their best, however this album from 1971 reveals a younger excited group that is hungry to jam.
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/album/0DS10mXgRXMkkQSxGpfADQ?si=m832m8XdTBmZDnxlT6GtbA