@waxbanks said:

the 8/17 UIC second set is *all* very much worth hearing - not 'exceptional' in the 'best ever' sense (no one greatest-ever track), but the whole set through Makisupa is so richly and consistently detailed and attentive and cohesive that I can't actually pull out a single track anyhow! I don't even mean the Crosseyed teases, either - who needs 'em, when there's a beautiful Caspian > Piper segue to hear, and a DEG-style Tweezer to lead into that Caspian? Or those awesome effects in the C&P > No Quarter transition jam?!

I think your assessment of 8/17 II is probably accurate in noting high points, but those C&P teases detract from the meaty bits you reference. It found it forced and unnecessary, even pushing me to only listen for it to pop up again. I don't know why, but it lacked some of the purity of set-long teases in the past. Probably because the band was on the precipice of some really great moments at times. But I am old and grumpy, I know a lot of people really enjoyed that show and it's deserved.