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I had the good fortune of being at the RFK Casey Jones and the Unbroken Chain in Philly. The crowd reaction to Unbroken Chain was euphoric and big. However, for me it was one of those nights that exemplify the downward trajectory of the band. It was spring of '95. The setlist that night featured an Easy Answers, Way to Go Home, Corrina, Mathilda, and a very poorly played Unbroken Chain. The song never really meant that much to me, so the bust-out was not significant for me and it was very poorly played. Numerous buzzkills in this concert, as was typical for the time period. I've never listened back. I'm sure there were some well played moments, but those '95 setlists could never hold me for very long. On the other hand......the Casey Jones bust-out was one of the highlights in the best week of my life. What a day at RFK! Not the best Dead show I have ever seen....but a great one for me and a day I will never forget. I have never experienced group exuberance like that Casey Jones. Casey Jones is also not a very important song for me.....but the moment was huge. The colors, the smiles, the green grass, the sun, the dancing, the train whistle, the liquid! I will never be able to adequately express what that moment felt like.

I don't believe there is a consistent pattern. Just when you think it's one thing, they do the opposite. Kuddos to Eaton for keeping us on our toes. If there as a code to be cracked, we would have cracked it. Additionally, for the record, BM last year was a 77 second night and Elective first. DSO hasn't recreated a NYE show on NYE since 2014 when they did 84 I think? Personally I'd much rather an elective. My fav NYE shows over the years have been....09 Mattson's first NYE, utter psychedelic meltdown and a forum family private dance party in an obscure balcony of the Ram's Head 2013 in Long Island. Great Elective with an epic dance party in the back balcony. 2015 at Efactory. maybe one of the greatest shows I've seen period. Mostly early style elective, acoustic first set. 2017, last year, was really great too. Another Elective. But I'm intentionally missing NYE this year for the first time since Denver 06. Hanging out home with Friends instead. If i had to guess, i'd say in philly will be one Elective and one recreation, with the Elective highlighting songs of the Recreation's era that weren't played. Elective first, then a late 80s. Looking forward to these shows!

I’m not doing the whole run but I’m 99% I’m heading up for NYE. Place emailed me it’s an all ages show. So this is likely our NYE road trip this year. I’m pretty excited not sure if the boys will be or not. #selfish Christmas present. Lol

The night before unbroken chain included a screaming Iko, I was laughing at the top of my lungs and could not hear myself. Also, best ever Visions of Johanna.

Saint Stephen played three times in 1983 after a 352 show absence. 10/11/83 MSG 10/15/83 Hartford 10/31/83 San Rafael I did shows with a guy whose first two shows were MSG and Hartford, and was like "so they play this St. Stephen song every nite" timing is everything. I also love that the Anthem thread won't die. Praise DSO.

12/13/90 https://archive.org/details/gd90-12-13.sbd.unknown.4988.sbeok.shnf One Jack Straw-> Sugaree, Wang Dang Doodle, Friend Of The Devil, Me & My Uncle-> Big River, Ramble On Rose, Memphis Blues, Valley Road Two Help On The Way-> Slipknot!-> Franklin's Tower, Saint Of Circumstance, Eyes Of The World-> Drums-> Jam-> The Other One-> Morning Dew-> Box Of Rain, E: U.S. Blues More X-Factor on this night despite the sub-zero temps outside. Stunning midi-jam on Ramble On Rose and that second set was warp speed from the jump. The lights were perfectly set to the opening notes of Help and off we went. A truly remarkable Saint of Circumstance to boot. While we didn't get the 'I guess it doesn't matter anywayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy' finish with the Dew, we were treated to an unexpected Box to close the set. God damn that McNichols run had the goods!

Spirit is something that no one destroys.