Once again, don’t make too much of the rankings here, as I could have cut and pasted all night. I do, however, like the order in which these tracks settled. Look for jams 21-30 next week—there’s that much (plus more) any left to cover! Also, stay tuned next week when I unveil my picks for the sets and shows of the year.
20. “Roses Are Free” 6/8 I, Worcester, MA
Some of the freshest sounding music to come out of Leg One. Fishman’s work is immaculate.
***
19. “Ghost > Boogie On” 6/7 II, Worcester, MA
This segment needs no introduction—some of the more fluid jamming of Leg One. Trey owns the “Boogie.”
***
18. “Light > Weekapaug” 6/23 II, Burgettstown, PA
“Light’s” calypso section is hard to beat, and this is best “Weekapaug” of the era.
***
17. “Waves” 6/28 II, Noblesville, IN
The only “Waves” jam of the year, and it was a winner.
***
16. “Birds of a Feather” 6/15 II, Atlantic City, NJ
A stellar jam at the onset of one of summer’s most complete sets.
***
15. “Limb by Limb” 8/28 II, St.Louis, MO
I think its safe to claim this jam as the most impressive “Limb” of all time, as the band smoothly moves from the song’s theme into a wide open adventure.
***
14. “Fee” 7/1 I, East Troy, WI
A stunning foray into ambient sound-sculpting while the sun still shone at Alpine.
***
13. “Rock and Roll” 6/24 II, Pelham, AL
This personal favorite is one of the fiercely underrated pieces of 2012. The heavenly final segment was worth the price of admission alone.
***
12. “Sand” 9/2 II, Commerce City, CO
Though the band akwardly exits the groove for the outer reaches of the galaxy, once they get there this jam takes off.
***
11. “Carini” 6/7 II, Worcester, MA
Perhaps the most underrated jam of summer; stunning interplay throughout.
