Grateful Dead

I think Dave must have picked the most horrid chalkboard scratching recording available from the 80's so he never has to release another pile of stinking dogshit like this. I don't know how anyone can say this is a good quality recording. If this is the best of the 80's I don't need to hear any more. Not only is the recording bad but Jerry sounds like he's been on a 3 day heroin run, him and bobby can't sync up at all and even the guitar playing is questionable. I've listened to this 3 full times and while every now and then there is something almost promising it soon goes back to the hellish sound. Even my 16 year old daughter who is subjected night and day to the Dead asked why this recording sounded so bad. Not just the recording is bad but the timing and execution. I too went to dozens of 80's shows and most were much better than this and even under the influence I could walk out of a show and know it wasn't that good. This is the Dead at its worst and should be called Warts and All. Please don't waste 25% of my subscription cost on another one of these turds. You guys that were clamoring for an 80"s show need to dig the wax out of your ears and stop justifying this because you were so desperate for the 80"s. I know there is way better stuff out there. For example Frost Amphitheater in 82, both nights were great and even the crappy bootlegs I have on the dc90 cassettes sound better than this.

The performance is uneven, as mentioned in many posts some tunes are raced through. But mid 80s shows were always more about being there than the quality of their playing. You went because the scene was still too much fun to miss. I can accept the performance because it is mid-80s. But the sound? Not sure how this show can be touted for its sound quality. The mix is poor, Brent's keyboard is in your face, Jerry sounds like he's playing in a back room a good 50 yards behind the stage and Bobby is some where between them, but still far back. Drums? From the recording I'm guessing Billy and Micky had the night off. Just a terrible recording. This will most likely be the first and last time I listen to this show. Dave if this is the best of what's left of the mid-80s then leave the rest where they are.

Now that I've had a few days to absorb this release with a few listens through, this is easily in my top 5 Dave's Picks. Sure, there are a few botched lyrics (was listening to 7/31/74 recently as well, and there were even botched lyrics and cues, even in this era...nothing new), but the playing is top notch. Wang Dang Doodle - became pretty standard in the '90's, but this version has a more psychedelic gleam to it. Well played. Jack Straw - energetic high octane performance. Jerry was clearly playing his ass off. Doesn't feel ruched to me. Seems just about perfect. They Love Each other - a nice tight version that well played. Mama Tried > Big River - these cowboy Bob tunes are as solid as any other versions played in any other era. They rarely botched these tunes, even in the later years. Brown-Eyed Women - definitive for this, or any era. It's like they step it up another notch in a show that's already off the charts for awesomeness. Minglewood - typically solid. Big Railroad Blues - if this version of this song doesn't do it for you, then you probably aren't a fan of the Dead in the '80's and beyond. Looks Like Rain - good solid reading. Inspired. Deal - if this version of Deal doesn't do it for you, you may want to reassess how loyal of a Deadhead you really are. This version is deninitive for any era. One of the best ever performed. Help > Slip > Franklin's - A few botched lyics aside, the performance is to notch. Slipknot hits spaces right up there with any versions performed at anytime in their career. Franklin's is also well played. Estimated > Eyes > Jam - pure awesomeness. Drums > Space - typical for the era. Throwing Stones - cool early version and nice to see how it evolved into the staple it became. The message still applies to current events, and probably even more-so. Our country, and the world on a whole is in a particularly shitty place now, and getting worse. We proably will leave this place an empty stone if we continue to allow the types odf debacles to unfold that has over the last year-and-a-half. GDTRFB - like deal earlier in the show, if this version doesn't do it for you, you may want to reassess your status as a Deadhead. It rocks. Jerry plays and sings extremely well. Black Peter - I think this version is the highlight of the entire show. A top 5, or perhaps top 3 version of all-time. Absolutely hits everything in every possible way, and beyond. jerry's voice brings an emotional level, as does his playing. I had to relisten 3 times in a row. Worth the price of the entire years subscription alone. Sugar Magnolia - solid rockin' version. It's All Over Now baby Blue - as good as any version from any era. In regards to sound/mix quality, to my ears, this sounds very upfront and kind of in-your-face. The bass is very punchy. All of the elements are there and clear within the first couple of minutes into the show. Where reel tapes tend to have a softer more rounded feel, this is raw, up front and indicative of a well mixed FOH. All in all, this one will probably get more play from me than most of this series, because I like this era a lot, and desire to hear mloits more of it. I like all era's and this one fills a void that needed to be filled. The last couple of years I've been more focused on listening on anniversary dates, or close to them. The next big release is the PNW '73 and '74 box. At almost $200, it's currently beyond my budget to place an order, and if it doesn't sell out anytime soon, I'll eventually and hopefully be able to get my own copy. It's nice that, for a change, we get a release from the 80's that isn't a part of a $200, or $250 or $750 box set, for a change.

You're right my mistake. I was overtaken by my despair over the sound quality. I have rarely commented on any release here. I always accept the quality of play for the Era I'm listening. You expect a different sound, dare I say even style, in each mini era. But for me the quality of this mix is just so poor. I believe it is possibly the poorest recording they've released. Even some of the very early 30 Trips recordings as weak as they were far surpass this thing. :(

I like the distinction you draw between seeing a live show, and listening to a live recording. I saw countless concerts in the 1970s and 1980s that were great nights out- for all sorts of reasons-the music being just one of them. Sitting at home, now, listening to a recording-its a world away really. I love listening to live recordings-but just because I had a great time at a particular live show is in no way an indicator that I would enjoy listening to a recording of that live show at home, now.

Hey Rayski:The keyboardist on this show is Brent, not Keith; the drummers are Billy & Mickey.

#10297 finally landed last night. There have been some pretty good links already, but If you need a higher-res, color-corrected version of Tim McDonagh's cover art, here are my scans:https://www.dropbox.com/sh/lz8295bje2dpsxf/AAA2cik9bkrnlJ8kxsNPA1iQa?dl… There’s a “Rectangular” version (just like the CD cover) plus a “Square” version for anybody so inclined You can also find my scans for all Dave’s Picks and Bonus covers at: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/qx5j9ydoc7bzm8z/AAD8yK_vCv_kQ-oLkLJQVCEla?dl… Pass ‘em around, and keep the music playing.

I saw 20 shows in 1983 and for sure had a great time. But listening to this one again gives me pause. Jerry's voice is shot, they race through most of the songs (Jack Straw, Deal, Help on the Way) and the Help on the Way is cringeworthy. He can't remember the words, he can't play the leads, they cannot get it together. Hey, we have a whole decade of amazing stuff (68-78) so it's not like there's nowhere to turn. But I'm baffled that the masses are clamoring for more 80s stuff, or raving about this show, neither the sound quality nor the musicianship is notable. Back to '72 indeed!

We recently moved so things have been a little crazy lately. My wife laughed when literally the first piece of mail we received at our new place was Dap 27. However, I didn't get a chance to listen to it until today. Even before I put it on, I was in a mood for an 83 show. Sirius was playing a chunk of 10/21/83 when I was in the car earlier today so I was already in the right mindset. I have heard others say there are sound issues, but it sounds just fine to me. It sounds like an 80s show which is not an insult in any way. It's not flawless, but neither were the 80s, especially 83. It captures the era and overall I'm really happy with it. I obviously like 80's shows in general so I'm biased, but this is a really fun show. The boys are obviously into it and having a great time. I'm happy to have this one in my collection and I have a feeling I'll be spending the rest of the week going down the 83 rabbit hole. thanks Dave and co!

Your ears are fine this doesn't sound that good. After some equalizing mostly lowering the middle around 400hz to 600hz and around 2000khz and increasing a little on the ends it's not too bad. The only Dead I have official or not that doesn't need at least some equalizing is (you guessed it) Spring 90 The Other One.