I've gotten into my share of disputes about Coventry (especially when viewed in the prism of the modern era, which features a band that is almost *one hundred percent* different from the band that took the stage on this date), and jams like this one or the Bag or the soundcheck or whatever get tossed at me as to why Coventry should be celebrated and even why 2.0 still outdistances 3.0. But, to me, it isn't so much the improv that matters (shit, this is an improvisational band that was stretching improv to its breaking point nearly every show by this point, I'd HOPE they could play a good jam) as the first part, as denoted in the jam chart description - the "ugly" composed section that starts things off. I get my fair share of stick for loving Type II above else (which, I'm sure, sets me apart from the rest of the online community), and it's not always undeserved, but even thinking (let alone listening) to the way they butcher Melt and Glide and just about every goddamn song they play on both dates is why I can never, ever bring myself to listen to Coventry again. At the end of the day, I respect the band, and I respect their music and the craftsmanship of their compositions (even the ones I don't like). Why would I want to listen to a show in which *the band* cannot bring themselves to respect *their own* music?

THE highlight from Coventry. If you need any convincing to give Coventry at least one listen, listen to this jam. Emotional peaks and valleys run throughout and it's true what it says about the last 5 minutes: it is the emotions of everyone in the area all forced through tired hands, tired eyes, and tired minds to create some of the most beautifully sad music in history.