At this point in the game The Music Never Stopped was still very new to the Grateful Dead’s repertoire. This was one of the first 20-30 performances of the song and it has a rawness that is quite wonderful.
As I mention below this rawness is really evidenced by Keith’s playing. There’s an energy and ferocity there that really made him a special player when he fully utilized it. He’s also very inventive. His rhythmic approach to the first few sections of the song is unique and adds a sense of forward motion to the proceedings. Now one may speculate as to why Keith was so pumped up in this version of The Music Never Stopped and I would suspect it’s because it follows directly on the heels of an epic Help On The Way > Slipknot! > Drums > Slipknot! > Franklin’s Tower sequence. If that’s not enough to get one jazzed as all get-out I don’t know what is.
Fast and furious, with some rolling piano lines from Keith, The Music Never Stopped comes barreling out of an epic sequence. Keith is dominating the show here and I love the inflection he places on his playing here. In fact both of the Godchauxs are on their game. Donna’s call and response with Bob is delightful and full of passion. During all of this Garcia winds his way through the underbrush, seemingly ceding leadership duties to Keith, recognizing he’s got the hot hand at the moment. Keith gives his right hand a work out around the 2:40 mark and plays some floating fills before returning to his tour de force playing. The bridge section is a well-executed dynamic and time signature change. It’s short, but provides just enough of a breather for one more charge forward. Garcia takes the lead here, supported by voracious block chords from Keith, the two of them pushing each other to new heights. Phil really pushes his weight around as the song builds toward the end here as well. The finish is a bit drawn out and a flourish of notes sweeps delicately into Stella Blue.
