The two "Big Rock Pow Wow" shows (as can thankfully be heard now in their proper performance order) never sat quite right with me. May 1969 was the beginning of the Dead's awkward adolescence, as they felt their way from LIVE/DEAD to the WORKINGMAN'S DEAD sound. So the band is fleshing out their previously streamlined psychedelic sets with the blues and trad songs that would make them famous. But the originals aren't there yet.
You're gonna a get a LOTTA Pigpen on these two nights, plus a semi-surly band.