For me, this version of I Need A Miracle demonstrates something I’ve heard Grateful Dead fans talk about, but never understood. I’ve heard it said that Weir had a habit of cutting short songs that Jerry obviously wanted to extend a bit longer. Now, certainly some of that is speculation by Deadheads. Did Garcia ever say as much in an interview? I’d be curious to know where. But regardless it’s something I had heard discussed at some point in the past.
I never really understood how folks knew this though. Well when listening to this version of I Need A Miracle I finally understood. Perhaps this actually isn’t a good example but it was a break through for me. Jerry sounds like he’s in the zone and just waiting to be given the green light to shred for a few measures, but the signal never comes and we’re left wondering what could have been instead of grabbing our skulls in amazement as we put our brains back inside their cranial homes.
