It's truly sad that there's is such a gap in 68 of surviving recorded material, 68 was a phenomenal year. But to bridge the gap between the winter months to the summer are some tour posters from that period.
Carousel Ballroom San Francisco, CA Feb 14th, 1968 Back from the 'Quick and the Dead' Tour with Quicksilver, the Dead play the Carousel Ballroom for Valentine's Day. Ah, Valentine's Day with the Dead. Love was in the air with this amazing show.
Eagle's Auditorium Seattle, WA Jan 26th & 27th, 1968
The Quick and the Dead Tour is a great run for band in early 68. These shows have the rare Clementine, excellent Spanish Jams, and the early lyrics to The Other One. Although there is some confusion about the dates to these shows, they're labeled as 22nd and 23rd when all facts point to the shows actually on 26th and 27th. Also, the 27th show is labeled as being on the 23rd in Portland, Oregon, which defies all logic for the tour. There is also a Spanish Jam listed for the 27th at Eagle's Aud, I believe this to be the continuation of the Spanish Jam cut on the show I have listed. If you listen closely the match on tempo and action is very convincing. But you be the judge. So, here is my logical conclusions to these two excellent shows.
Carousel Ballroom San Francisco, CA Jan 17th, 1968
This is a great show to start off 1968. The show begins with a super upbeat Lovelight and continues with that upbeat groove so that until I heard the band talking I almost thought the tape was running too fast. Why is this such a great show? Well to begin with its a complete and highly listenable recording from a year with large gaps in its recorded material. Also, this show can be seen as the beginning of 68 with several new songs introduced including The Eleven, Spanish Jam, and Born Cross-Eyed. This show is a must for any true Deadhead.