1981

On March 13, 1981 the Grateful Dead played at the Utica Coliseum in Utica, New York, there’s not much to say about this show other than it’s a pretty average Grateful Dead show as far as they go in 1981. The set list for this show is probably the most interesting part about it, some songs are standard selection that we’d come to expect from the Dead in the 1980’s, and then there’s some interesting picks that hail as staples from shows in the 70’s.

With that in mind lets look at the set list:

Set 1: Shakedown Street, New Minglewood Blues, They Love Each Other, El Paso, Jack-A-Roe, Little Red Rooster, High Time, Cassidy > Althea, The Music Never Stopped

Set 2: Cold Rain And Snow, Samson And Delilah, It Must Have Been The Roses Estimated Prophet > Eyes Of The World > Drums > Space > Lost Sailor > Saint Of Circumstance > Wharf Rat > Sugar Magnolia, E: Don’t Ease Me In

The show opens with Shakedown Street, a fairly strong one too I think, and helps get the rhythm started for the rest of the show. Up next is New Minglewood Blues followed by They Love Each Other and El Paso, these songs are what I was referring to when I mentioned elements from 70’s Dead, definitely feels like a 1977 kind of vibe for this show based on these few songs. The set highlights for this show would probably have to be the last three songs, Cassidy sounds especially beautiful tonight, with a crisp transition to Althea too. The Music Never Stopped then kicks in and fills the air with an infectious groove that you can’t help but tap your foot to. I will say though that although Brent Mydland was a phenomenal keyboardist and vocalist for the Grateful Dead, its songs like The Music Never Stopped that not many can do Donna’s back up vocal parts justice, valiant efforts done by Brent nonetheless!

Set 2 rolls around and brings with it some good tunes, It Must Have Been The Roses is exceptionally well done, it produces a really calm and relaxing aura around it which is a good touch. After this Bob interacts with the crowd for a short time playing an always fun game of “take a step back”. Estimated Prophet slides into the mix next and starts off the last big sequence of the show, highlights from this one would have to be Eyes Of The World that accompanies Estimated Prophet and Wharf Rat!

Like I said this a pretty average Grateful Dead show, nothing absolutely mind blowing, but nonetheless still a fun time if you’re looking for something to listen to: https://archive.org/details/gd1981-03-13.nak700.wagner.miller.90455.sbeok.flac16/gd81-03-13d1t01.flac

Grateful Dead Live at Berkeley Community Theater on 03/12/1985

Today is March 12, 2019 and there are a few shows the Dead played on this date available on the archive, it’s always hard picking shows when faced with situations like this, all these good shows and not enough time to give them all a listen. I opted for this one as it looked the most promising, mid 80’s, intriguing set list, perhaps no better way to find out how good a Grateful Dead show is other than going in blind! As mentioned this show takes place on March 12, 1985 at Berkeley Community Theater in Berkeley, California. This show is by all means not a bad Grateful Dead show, although it can sound a little off at times. For this one the Dead are of course playing songs we’re all familiar with, but the thing is it can sound bland and lifeless at times, some of songs just don’t have the same flair that we’ve come to expect from the Dead. This fact shouldn’t discourage you from listening to this show, It’s definitely worth at least a listen.

Here’s a peak at the set list:

Set 1: Iko Iko, Little Red Rooster, Dupree’s Diamond Blues, Me & My Uncle > Big River, West L.A. Fadeaway, Looks Like Rain > Don’t Ease Me In

Set 2: Touch Of Grey, Playing In The Band > Drums > Space > He’s Gone > Throwing Stones > Not Fade Away > Turn On Your Love Light, E: U.S. Blues

The first set starts off somewhat okay with a half-hearted Iko Iko, unfortunately things go south not long after this first song. Little Red Rooster sounds disingenuous at times, not through the whole song though, but it does foreshadow things to come. By West L.A. Fadeaway the energy just isn’t with the Dead anymore, this doesn’t bode well for whats to come next. Looks Like Rain rolls around and carrying on the pattern from West L.A. Fadeaway it just doesn’t transcend well, you don’t really feel the emotion in Bob’s voice like you normally would for this song, this together with the lackluster performance from the rest of the band just doesn’t do the song justice.

The second set comes back with a much better round than the first set I will admit. Touch of Grey starts off a bit shaky but the Dead find their footing and are able to maintain at least some control of the song. Playing In The Band is up next and it is a monster of one, coming in just shy of 16 minutes it really is the show highlight. Like one reviewer commented on the archive this one is really reminiscent of a jam from ’72-’73 which is a good touch. After this the Dead take us through some Drums and Space for a bit which isn’t all that bad. He’s Gone takes us out of Drums and Space, this isn’t the strongest He’s Gone the Dead ever played and like songs from the first set can sound bland. The Dead do turn it around for the last few songs though, hitting a home run in my opinion with a decent Throwing Stones to a better Not Fade Away and then an even better Turn On Your Love Light, a classic and very nice sequence after all.

This show has it’s ups and downs but it shouldn’t be shrugged off as an uninteresting one, at the very least the second set is worthy of a play through among all other things considered.

Check it out here: https://archive.org/details/gd85-03-12.senn421.barbella.10256.sbeok.shnf/gd85-03-12d1t01.shn

Grateful Dead Live at Rosemont Horizon on 03/11/1993

The 90’s were an interesting period for the Grateful Dead, some people don’t bother to listen to this time period for one reason or another, and that’s alright, everyone has different preferences! But what is interesting to me is just how good some shows from these last five years for the band really were. Of course there were some off nights, there’s no denying that, but that’s not to say the Dead didn’t have off nights throughout their whole career. But, there’s also nights where the Grateful Dead were also really on top of it, and March 9, 1993 is a good example of an ‘on top of it’ night for the Dead. This show takes place at the Rosemont Horizon, in Rosemont, Illinois 26 years ago on today’s date and is a real highlight for 1993 in my opinion.

Here’s the set list for the show:

Set 1: Help On The Way > Slipknot! > Franklin’s Tower, Little Red Rooster, Althea, When I Paint My Masterpiece, So Many Roads, The Music Never Stopped

Set 2: Iko Iko, Wave To The Wind > Truckin’ > Spoonful > He’s Gone > Drums > Fibberty Jib On The Bipitty Bop* > The Island* > Space > The Other One > Days Between > Around & Around, E: Liberty

*with Ken Nordine

Set 1 opens with a tight Help > Slip > Franklin’s, a good throwback to the Dead we all know and love from the 70’s, blended elements from the 90’s. The synths that Vince was using throughout the 90’s can sound painstakingly cheesy at times, but that isn’t the case for this run of songs, I think Vince’s parts really add a nice and needed flavor to this one. Next up is Little Red Rooster, and a good one at that, Vince is really in control on this one too, surprisingly he’s not stuck wailing on some over the top synths for this song either, sounds like he goes for a classic piano sound, very nice! Althea comes in and continues the trend of magnificent songs for the first set, always excellently done.

Set 2 takes an interesting turn to say the least, it starts off just fine with some good tunes to get you into the groove with Iko Iko, Truckin’, and He’s Gone, however when we reach the Drums > Space sequence Ken Nordine joins the band on stage. Ken Nordine was an American voice-over and recording artist known for his “word jazz” albums that feature Nordine’s narration over cool jazz music. On this occasion he performed with the Dead reciting spoken word poetry whilst the band noodled alongside him on stage. After Ken finishes up the band continue on coming back with an energized The Other One that takes us all the way to a Liberty Encore.

This show also marks the second time the Grateful Dead played Days Between, going on to play it 40 more times in the next few years. Days Between was one of the last large scale collaborations between Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter, in the likes of which similar to “Dark Star” and “Terrapin Station” as far as large scale collaborations go. It has no chorus and builds on verse to verse, creating a haunting evocation of the past. Steve Silberman wrote a short essay on this beautiful song that warrants a read here.

As you can tell this is definitely one of the more interesting shows from 1993, and a pretty good one at that!

Make sure to give this show a listen: https://archive.org/details/gd1993-03-11.mtx.seamons.120865.flac16/gd93-03-11d1t01.flac

Grateful Dead Live at Madison Square Garden on 03/09/1981

On March 9 back in 1981 the Grateful Dead played an incredible performance at Madison Square Garden, New York, NY. Along with this superb performance from the whole band the tape for this one is an audience recording, and a very good one at that, where it perfectly captures the full power of the Dead tonight. Berry Glassberg is responsible for this spectacular audio documentation and takes you to the sweet spot in the crowd back to 1981 for this show, every note is clear and crisp. Jerry Garcia is especially on fire tonight, his melodic solos that push the boundaries of what is imaginable tie the whole show together, there are no wasted notes from Jerry tonight.

Here’s the set list from tonight’s show:

Set 1: Feel Like A Stranger, Althea > CC Rider, Ramble On Rose > El Paso, Deep Elem Blues, Beat It On Down The Line, Bird Song, Minglewood Blues

Set 2: China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider > Samson & Delilah, Ship of Fools, Estimated Prophet > Uncle John’s Band > Drums > Space > The Other One > Stella Blue > Good Lovin’, E: U.S. Blues

The Dead kick off the show with Feel Like A Stranger, a good pick that most certainly starts the show off on a high point. A bit later on they do an electric and lively Deep Elem Blues that sounds quite nice, the real highlight of this set however would have to be Bird Song. Jerry grabs the ball for this one and runs with it, his solo leaves you awestruck wanting more. The first set comes down and finishes with Minglewood Blues, but by that point everyone is still entranced by the Bird Song, or at least I was.

Just when you think the show can’t get any better after an amazing first set the Dead pull you right back in with China Cat Sunflower into I Know You Rider that Jerry shines on too. Next comes a roaring and a thick sounding Samson & Delilah, a bit later on in the set there’s also a suspenseful and pleasant Stella Blue. Jerry takes the reigns on this one yet again and shows his potential beyond the guitar with his vocal performance that is both emotional and touching.

I think it’s safe to say that this show is definitely Jerry’s, and while the Dead are playing as good as they always do Jerry really shows his skills tonight. Jerry Garcia was an amazing musician and this show is a great example of it!

Listen to the Grateful Dead live at Madison Square Garden on March 9, 1981 here: https://archive.org/details/gd81-03-09.glassberg.wise.7473.sbeok.shnf/gd81-03-09d1t01.shn

Grateful Dead Live at Star Theater on 03/08/1970

49 years ago today, March 8 2019, the Grateful Dead played at the Star Theater in Phoenix, Arizona. This is a peculiar Dead show to say the lest, not that every Grateful Dead show isn’t peculiar in one way or another, this one really is quite unusual. Nothing is astray as far as the band’s performance, however halfway through Katie Mae there is guest singer who joins the band on stage by jumping up from the crowd prompting an impromptu “Blues Jam”. Over the progression of the last few songs fifty more people take it upon themselves to join the band on stage as well. The identity of the original crowd singer remains a mystery, although as there would be there are many speculations.

Here’s the set list for this show:

Cold Rain And Snow, Yellow Dog Story, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider > High Time, Dire Wolf, Hard To Handle, Monkey and The Engineer, I’ve Been Around This World, Me And My Uncle, Black Peter, Katie Mae > Impromptu Blues, Not Fade Away > Turn On Your Lovelight

This show is all one set, no breaks except for the occasional technical issues, one which Bob addresses after Cold Rain And Snow entertaining the crowd in the mean time with an amusing, albeit long winded joke in the Yellow Dog Story. After that’s all sorted out the Dead get back to it with an energetic China Cat Sunflower that jams into I Know You Rider. Hard To Handle packs a punch, heavily bluesy, done well by Pigpen on vocals, the rest of the band follows suit and matches the bluesy vocals with equally bluesy performance. After Hard To Handle the band switches to acoustic for several songs, this switch brings a nice acoustic rendition of Me And My Uncle too! As mentioned halfway through Katie Mae the show takes a weird turn, and results in an impromptu blues jam with the mystery crowd vocalist. That and the fifty more people from the crowd who join the Dead on stage doesn’t stop the band though, as they continue on strong with an excellent Not Fade Away and show ending Turn On Your Lovelight.

The date March 8, 1973 also marks a sad day for the Grateful Dead too, as it’s the day of the unfortunate passing of Ron “Pigpen” McKernan at the age of 27. Pigpen was the original frontman of the Grateful Dead and was part of incarnations of the band such as Mother McCree’s Uptown Jug Champions and the Warlocks prior to the formation of the Grateful Dead. He brought a heavy blues influence to the band and had a very strong singing voice for the blues. Unlike the other members of the Grateful Dead, Pigpen avoided the use of psychedelic drugs, choosing to stick to alcohol. In 1971 his health had deteriorated quickly due to alcoholism and resulted in liver damage. Ultimately he suffered a gastrointestinal hemorrhage that took his life at the young age of 27, Rest In Peace Pigpen.

Overall this a good 1970’s show and this date has some important significance for the band, in remembrance of Pigpen make sure to check out the show: https://archive.org/details/gd70-03-08.sbd.9195.sbeok.shnf

Grateful Dead Live at Cole Field House, U of Maryland on 03/07/1981

Today’s show is from March 7, 1981 when the Grateful Dead played at Cole Field House at the University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 38 years ago today. This show comes from the same year as yesterdays show at the Stanley Theater in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and as you would guess the day after. Choosing today’s Dead show was a toss up between this show and the one the Grateful Dead played at the Civic Auditorium in Santa Monica, California, as these are the only two March 7 shows on the archive. Ultimately I choose this one as the audio is substantially better than the recording of the show from 1970, however the 1970 show is still really interesting, and in my honest opinion better than the 1981 show, I highly suggest giving it a listen here. As we heard form yesterday’s show the Dead’s performance was really top notch, and this show isn’t too bad either, however can be a little inconsistent at times.

Grateful Dead shows from the 80’s can be hit or miss, especially prior to and the time leading up to the unfortunate diabetic coma Jerry Garcia suffered in 1986. In the early 80’s after Brent settled into his place as the new keyboardist for the Dead, Jerry’s health begin to rapidly decline due to his opiate use, this caused a decline in Jerry’s liveliness onstage and the uncertainty of the caliber of Grateful Dead performances night to night. Fortunately Jerry was able to regain his health and the Dead eventually got back to playing shows in December 1986, opening up a new avenue, and perhaps a new era in Grateful Dead shows. Their 12th studio album, In The Dark, was released in July 1987 that brought major commercial success for the band, especially with the release of their single “Touch of Grey” from In The Dark, bringing in even more fans to Grateful Dead shows.

As mentioned this show is an alright one, better than yesterday’s show is up for serious debate, but this one is nonetheless a somewhat enjoyable stand alone Grateful Dead show!

Here’s the set list for this show:

Set 1: Alabama Getaway > Greatest Story Ever Told, Dire Wolf, Me & My Uncle > Big River, Candyman > C.C. Rider, Jack A Roe, Passenger, Bird Song > Looks Like Rain > Deal

Set 2: Iko Iko > Lost Sailor > Saint Of Circumstance > Jam > Drums > Truckin’ > Black Peter > Around & Around > Johnny B. Goode, E: One More Saturday Night

Set 1 starts off relatively strong with a decent Alabama Getaway, segue waying to Greatest Story Ever Told that keeps the energy going for a bit. The real emphasis should be placed on the last few songs of this set, Bird Song is definitely a show highlight and perhaps the best song from the show, it clocks in at just over 17 minutes and is quite spacey. Bird Song goes to Looks Like Rain and then finishes the first set with an enthusiastic Deal. The other songs from this set aren’t the worst either, though it can be a little slow at times, especially with Candyman and C.C. Rider, but that’s what make the Grateful Dead the best at what they did, there was some skill to be had navigating a show through slow and fast songs.

Set 2 takes off with a lively Iko Iko I think, however the set doesn’t really go anywhere after this. This set has Bob singing the majority of the tunes, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, however reviews indicate Jerry didn’t appear to be doing too good near the end of the first set so this might be why. Either way the whole set isn’t a complete waste, there’s a 12 minute jam after Saint Of Circumstance reminiscent to the first set Bird Song in a spacey kind of way. That takes it to Truckin’ then all the way to the encore with One More Saturday Night.

This show isn’t terrible, but it can be a little dull at times, and like I said the Dead weren’t always on top of their game but they gave this one some honest effort so that’s good enough.

Listen here to the Grateful Dead at Cole Field House, U of Maryland here: https://archive.org/details/gd81-03-07complete.aud-wise.senn421.22933.sbeok.shnf

Grateful Dead Live at Stanley Theater on 03/06/1981

On March 6, 1981 the Grateful Dead played at the Stanley Theater in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. First off the atmosphere for this show is amazing! Right from the beginning you can feel immersed in the show. The crowd sounds enthralled by the Dead from the first song, and this energy doesn’t stop there. The Grateful Dead are on top of it the whole show, playing consistently well, and not giving any reason to skip a song from the concert!

Here’s a look at what to expect from this show as far as the set list goes:

Set 1: Jack Straw, Peggy-O, Cassidy, They Love Each Other > El Paso, Row Jimmy > Little Red Rooster, Brown Eyed Women, Let It Grow > Deal

Set 2: Samson & Delilah, It Must Have Been The Roses, Estimated Prophet > Franklin’s Tower > Drums > The Other One > Stella Blue > Sugar Magnolia, E: Don’t Ease Me In

Set 1 is phenomenal to say the very least! It starts off with a blazing Jack Straw, and as I mentioned before the crowd go nuts for this first song. Their cheers set the tone for the whole concert, and it sounds like the Dead notice this, managing to turn up the groove even more. I can’t stress this enough when I say if you’re going to give this show a listen start with Jack Straw! From Jack Straw the Dead bring us to Peggy-O, much slower than Jack Straw, but it still feels as if the energy is still there. It always amazes me how the Grateful Dead can go from a song with fairly fast tempo to a much slower song but still bring the exact same amount of emotion and momentum. Cassidy is up next and this is where the first set peaks I think, its draws from every other song in the set and culminates in this song. The speed, the performance, the atmosphere, the emotion, the slow lulls that immediately pick up again, are all tied together that create this Cassidy, absolutely phenomenal.

What more can I say about this show that I haven’t said already? Set 2 comes back after a break with a fresh batch of songs that the Dead nail. The first set peaks with Cassidy but this set brings waves to the show, from Estimated Prophet to a show topping Franklin’s Tower, The Other One to Stella Blue, this set is one big Grateful Dead roller coaster and it’s is fantastic! This show is undoubtedly a good one, the whole band sounds great, the atmosphere of the show is even better, all in all this is what an ideal Grateful Dead concert sounds like.

Listen to this excellent Grateful Dead show here: https://archive.org/details/gd81-03-06.wise.lutch.3921.sbeok.shnf

Grateful Dead Live at Winterland Arena on 03/05/1972

On March 5, 1972, 47 years ago as of today, the Grateful Dead played a show at Winterland Arena in San Francisco, California. This concert is fairly standard as far as early 70’s Dead shows go, with the incorporation of songs from the soon to be released solo album by Grateful Dead rhythm guitarist Bob Weir, Ace in May of ’72. Four songs from this show, Black-Throated Wind, Greatest Story Ever Told, Mexicali Blues, and One More Saturday Night, would all appear as studio versions for Ace, with this show at the Winterland being the first live performance of Black-Throated Wind. This show also comes about a month before the Dead would venture to Europe and embark on a two month run of shows there starting April 7, 1972 at Empire Pool, in Wembley, London.

The Dead shared the bill this night at the Winterland with Yogi Phlegm and New Riders of the Purple Sage. The New Riders emerged from the psychedelic music scene in San Francisco, California alongside the Grateful Dead, eventually molding into a country rock outfit. In fact several members of the Grateful Dead were also members of the New Riders at one point or another as well, namely Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, and Mickey Hart.

Here’s a look at the set list for the night:

Set 1: Bertha, Black-Throated Wind, Mr. Charlie, Sugaree, Greatest Story Ever Told, Next Time You See Me, Tennessee Jed, Jack Straw, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Mexicali Blues, You Win Again, El Paso, Casey Jones

Set 2: Good Lovin’, Not Fade Away > Goin’ Down The Road Feelin’ Bad > Not Fade Away, E: One More Saturday Night

The first set comes rockin’ in with Bertha and keeps the momentum going, albeit with a slower temp, with Black-Throated Wind, right into a good Mr. Charlie sung by Ron “Pigpen” McKernan, these two songs are always well done and would become staples for the band throughout their Europe tour in 1972. Tennessee Jed in this set is also quite pleasing, Bob isn’t drowned out as backing vocals and in this version they really add to the enjoy-ability of the song. The first set comes to an end with Casey Jones that has a nice touch of organ through the song.

Set 2 brings more momentum with a little over 16 minutes of Good Lovin’ excellently sung by Pigpen, with good improvisation from the whole band too. This continues into a relatively short sequence, as far as Grateful Dead sequences go, starting with Not Fade Away that takes it to a One More Saturday Night encore. This set is definitely a good one, however for this show I’d have to say I prefer the first set in this case, since there’s definitely more tunes and just as good jams!

Take a listen here: https://archive.org/details/gd72-03-05.sbd.miller.20739.sbeok.shnf/gd72-03-05d2t01.shn

Grateful Dead Live at Desert Sky Pavilion on 03/04/1994

Today’s date is March 4, 2019 and on this date 25 years ago the Grateful Dead played a concert at the Desert Sky Pavilion in Phoenix, Arizona. This show would be the first show in a three night run the Dead had at the Desert Sky Pavilion, and the last run of shows the Dead had out west before going east for two months. The shows the Grateful Dead played here in Phoenix would also prove to be the last for longtime Dead sound man Dan Healy who would depart prior to the next run of shows at the Rosemont Horizon in Illinois.

Dan Healy was the Grateful Dead’s head sound guy after Owsley “Bear” Stanley and post Wall of Sound in 1974 through their hiatus in 1975. Healy was also responsible in part, along with Stanley and Ron Wickersham, for the design of the legendary and innovative Wall of Sound system the Dead were using in 1974. In addition to his audio engineering of the Grateful Dead shows, he was also important for his help in the institutionalization of the taping culture at Dead concerts. Healy helped introduce a taping section at shows where fans were allowed to record the show and would often times allow fans to plug directly into the main soundboard.

Here’s a taste of what to expect from this show:

Set 1: Mississippi Half Step Uptown Toodeloo, Little Red Rooster, Ramble On Rose, Me & My Uncle > Big River, Bird Song, Promised Land

Set 2: Iko Iko, Looks Like Rain, Crazy Fingers > Estimated Prophet > Jam > Drums > Space > I Need A Miracle > Black Peter > Throwing Stones, E: U.S. Blues

The first set isn’t too bad, in fact it can be pretty good at times. Of course there’s a few rough spots but overall there aren’t any jarringly noticeable mishaps as far as playing goes. Stand out songs from this set are Little Red Rooster, Bird Song, and especially Ramble On Rose, these songs really tie the first set together I think.

The second set comes grooving in with Iko Iko which is always a favorite later era Grateful Dead song for me personally. Next up is Looks Like Rain which brings the speed down from Iko Iko and sets a calm and mellow tone. Other highlights of this set would have to be Estimated Prophet, which showcases some good jams, and I Need A Miracle.

The run of shows the Dead played at the Desert Sky Pavilion are definitely some of the better ones from ’94 and this one is a good example for them!

Listen here: http://www.lma.io/shows/gd1994-03-04.AKG451.Darby.119517.Flac1648

Grateful Dead Live at Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center on 03/02/1987

On this date 32 years ago the Grateful Dead played at the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center in Oakland, California. This show is a good reflection of the consistent performance from the whole band in the late 80’s with out a doubt. The Dead hit a few minor bumps through the show here and there but they seem to make up for it. Ultimately the whole show really gives off a very laid back vibe, nothing too crazy, just something that feels calm and relaxing!

Here’s a look at the set list for the show:

Set 1: Jack Straw, Althea, C.C. Rider, Bird Song, Beat It On Down The Line, Ramble On Rose, Feel Like A Stranger

Set 2: China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider > Man Smart, Woman Smarter, Ship of Fools, Estimated Prophet > Eyes Of The World > Drums > Jam > Truckin’ > Morning Dew, E: Johnny B. Goode

The show opens with a the Dead tuning but quickly turns into a fun little Funiculi Funicula jam, bringing us into the official first song Jack Straw. This Jack Straw seems to be a little faster than usual, in some parts it can sound rushed, but the faster tempo also sounds quite good in other parts of the song as well. Aside from small hiccups in Jack Straw, Althea is done reasonably well, Bob also incorporates some fun slides into this one as well which I thought was a good touch. Following this is C.C. Rider which sounds fairly good too, Brent steals this one with a nice organ solo halfway through this song in my opinion. This set closes with Feel Like A Stranger and this following the pattern of all the other songs in the set is tight and well done.

Set 2 is quite similar to the first set in that fact that it’s all done pretty well. The only complaint I have against this set is the China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, which can feel a little robotic and emotionless, both vocally and instrumentally at times. Aside from that this set really is good, the Estimated Prophet > to Morning Dew sequence is a show highlight of course, with the transition from Estimated Prophet to Eyes Of The World being particularly tasty. Another small note but interesting effect is the spacey echo you can hear on Bob’s vocals before the last solo on Estimated Prophet and near the end of Eyes of the World as well, whether this is intentional or a glitch in the recording I’m not too sure!

This show sure has more positives than negatives and is overall a real good one! The overall vibe of this show is a nice touch too, definitely reminiscent of a calm and cool summer night. Not much is bad about the Grateful Dead in the late 80’s and is definitely a time of peaks for the Band in their touring career.

Take a listen to the Dead at the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center on this date here: https://archive.org/details/gd87-03-02.sbd.lai.1965.sbefail.shnf/gd1987-03-02d2t203.shn