Five Noteworthy Pairings/Transitions

5) St. Stephen > Not Fade Away - http://tinyurl.com/yjgpzdq
St. Steve is a rollercoaster in itself, and it leaves off with a question that just begs for a snap transition.  Could there be a more perfect way to pick up the pieces than to let the rhythm devils slam into a Stones rocker?  In the sound of 1976, no.

4) Drums > Samson & Delilah - http://tinyurl.com/383kcc / see also: 6/7/77 Complete Recordings
I don't think I'd be taking a pee break during the Drums segment in 76/77... As overplayed as it was, Samson & Delilah showcases all 7 members of the band, and creates a palpable energy in the room that could carry the set on many nights.  I feel this is done best when slid into from the free-form clanging of Mick and Bill.

3) The Other One > Wharf Rat/Morning Dew - http://tinyurl.com/yce6kej / http://tinyurl.com/ycfpjzs
As they shake off the haze of space, any good version of The Other One will undoubtedly contain a period of above-normal intensity.  With trippy voice sound filters, a thunderous bassline, and sometimes unceasing buildup, this tune could seemingly drive the audience to the point of overstimulation (if that's possible).  This is an obvious second-set fixture of the late-Dead era, but the setup for a winding Jerry ballad could not be more unique or, well, cool.  From the rubble of borderline anti-establishment/Neal Cassady-following space cadet's world comes a glowing, Lesh-guided crowd pleaser.

2) Scarlet Begonias > Fire on the Mountain - http://tinyurl.com/yksdhep or http://tinyurl.com/yzjhgzt 
Like pretty much all the sequences mentioned above, there is a certain undefinable (song) > ? > (song) which makes the Dead who they are.  Following one of their best upbeat, snappy tunes comes the predictable and often drull Fire on the Mountain (sorry Mick).  But what comes in between is the audience's gift, and has produced some of the most patently Grateful Dead moments.  The swinging entrance to FOTM could make even the most Persian-drenched Garcia bob his head and stomp his feet.  

1) China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider - http://tinyurl.com/ybkf88n
There are many good reasons for why this was played from the near the beginning to the end.  It would be difficult to summarize the sequence any way other than "Beautiful".  In good years, the basket that carries the music from China Cat to Rider is a level-headed buildup that creates anticipation but not impatience.  Each member can find their way into the segue, and perhaps like no other standard, can be appreciated in the largely vocal flow of IKYR.