August 26, 1971: Gaelic Park, NYC

GRATEFUL DEAD
(GAELIC PARK, N.Y.)

The Grateful Dead is one group that seems to get better each time out as their solid performance before 15,000 at Gaelic Park, N.Y., last Thursday (26) showed. Offering a program of more than three hours, the Dead never lagged in playing the best in rock, blues and country rock.
Among the pioneers of the "San Francisco Sound," the Dead were infectious in old and new material. The guitar work especially stood out as Jerry Garcia was inspired at lead; Bob Weir, steady at rhythm; and Phil Lesh again proved one of the best of bass guitarists. The rhythms also were strengthened by Bill Kreutzman on drums, while Ron (Pigpen) McKernan was dependable on organ.
Included were some of the top numbers from their Warner Bros. albums, including "Sugar Magnolia" and the rockin' "Truckin," "Casey Jones," and a distinctive version of the Rascals' "Good Lovin'." The program also was rich in improvisation and the fine vocals of the guitarists and Kreutzman. [sic] The Dead were the only act on the bill and they were more than enough for this most unified of groups.

(by Kirb, from the NY Variety, September 1 1971)

http://archive.org/details/gd1971-08-26.sbd.fixed.miller-rolfe.32351.sbeok.flac16