Mosh pit worthy BERTHA..

Not as intense as last Fillmore E run but definitely transportating Stellar: DS/WF/DS ... Stephen thru Uncle John's...
Grab some head food and wraparound headphones... and be there.
Love the fidelity.

The highlight of the show is the Dark Star > Wharf Rat > Dark Star. I really dug it.

However, the songs are so poorly executed that it's hard to enjoy them to their potential. They were not on the same page for this show. The first set starts with a lot of energy, but they keep getting ahead or behind in the songs with the playing or the lyrics or both.

The second set is a bit more coherent after some more flubs in Casey Jones and Playin', but isn't a terribly memorable '71 set in a positive way.

Overall, some of the jams are decent, but it's not a great show as a whole, there are so many flubs that it's difficult to enjoy thoroughly.

Ned plays for the entire concert. He played sparsely or sat out on a very few tunes because the band seemed not in tune (with his keys), some tunes didn't need his keyboard (it was his own choice), and also he wanted to leave room for Pigpen. In earlier discussions,Ned talked only minimally about his playing on 2/18/71, mentioning only a few tunes hr really liked and remembered without having a setlist or recording.
Ned plays clavichord and Farfisa organ,with Uni-Vibe (Jerry loaned) and Cry Baby wah-wah (Jerry gift) pedals; Ned played through 2 of Jerry's spare Fender Twin Reverb amps. These had the original tie-dyed speaker covers and were mic'd but because of feedback there was a direct box transformer line output. Ned was surrounded (virtually buried) in baffling, equiment cases and padding by Ramrod (and Jerry) to tame feedback problems from having to mic and amplify the very quiet clavichord.
The afternoon of the concert, backstage during setup, Jerry told Ned he had new songs they had not played before. First he talked through Bertha,then Wharf Rat,which he played for Ned quietly on guitar and singing,showing him the changes (chords) and vocal so he could play it that evening coming out of Dark Star,later Phil came up and talked him through Wharf Rat but with no instruments. He didn't know Jerry had already done it but Ned was happy to have more info Bob asked Ned to sit back for the 1st par of Playin' and the vocals until he got it.
Jerry sometimes fedback through the sounding board and brass strings of Ned's clavichord as did Ned himself

So nice. So nice. So nice.

Contrary to some of these comments, its plain to hear yhat Pigpen IS on the hammond organ, and Ned Lagin is playing electric piano as well. You can clearly hear both instruments throughout Truckin' and other songs. Also to anyone familiar with Pig's style of organ at this time, its definitely him.

Thanks GD_LE for this:
"These WBOTBB sources often come with unusually detailed lineage descriptions ("I plugged into the wall outlet using the overhand method and here is the metallic composition of the joist hangers in that wall"), I guess for the pedigree geeks amongst us (and Golden Ear claimants). "

It's not Pigpen on electric piano/organ. It's Ned Lagin.

1st night of an historically revered 6-day run at Westchester county venue Capitol Theater (right on the Connecticut border). This was the last time the band booked at this vaudeville-built theater, after 13 performances there the previous year. Must have been sad when this small, ornate room was no longer feasible, from '72 on.

This show attracts interest for 3 reasons:
+the premiering, in rudimentary versions, of 3 1/2 new songs that would become classics (they were excited enough to replay these each night)
+being the show were Mickey decided to tell the boys he was leaving - his next show after this being in Oct '74
+The 1st (oldest) Betty Board

Because the following night (premieres of Bird Song and Deal) is represented on Three from the Vault it may be more familiar, but this show is at least as good. This is one of those runs where everybody has their favorite but for then-unexpected turns, and the classic drum sound on these early versions, this would be the interesting night (and since they were carting around an 8track machine for the makings of the Skull Fuck LP, shouldn't there be another vault release from this run?). The end of the run is more accomplished (try the 21st) but this show is sought for historical appeal.

Bertha - you gotta ask - how did it come off so well? Or maybe, why didn't they nail new songs in the 90s as quickly as in '71??
Loser - Sounds different with Pig on vox. It would be released on Garcia's solo LP a year later
Greatest Story - Still in brief form
Johnny B - They had premiered this a couple weeks earlier (but everybody plays this at band practices and such)
Wharf - premiered in the middle of a Dark Star - started as a one chord drone and remained that way (though it wouldn't sound like this after Feb), so not a lot could be done with this song, but on this version it's the tranny back to Dahk Stah where things get cool (an excerpt of this one is on So Many Roads as "Beautiful Jam").
St Stephen - Isn't this the final shot from Mickey's toy cannon?
Not Fade>UJB - Check this tranny

Collectible because, though there are not any single standout A+ versions, the show is interesting for context. So, while not for new converts, it's solid enough to not be for historical-collectors-only. 1st set above average for '71, 2nd set typical for '71.
Set 1: B-
Set 2: C
Overall - 3 stars (2 1/2 plus 1/2 for historical interest)

Highlights:
Dark Star>Wharf>Dark Star>Uncle - Unusual 1st set sequence creates a changng atmosphere
Candyman - A great version. There was a period where the band could harmonize

Sources: 4 SBD sources to pick from. This is another classic show that came into broader circulation in '96 at the tail of the cassette age, and then to wider awareness with the "What became of the Betty Boards" project in the CD age, which resourced from the Betty>DAT transfer. These WBOTBB sources often come with unusually detailed lineage descriptions ("I plugged into the wall outlet using the overhand method and here is the metallic composition of the joist hangers in that wall"), I guess for the pedigree geeks amongst us (and Golden Ear claimants). The Port Chester (pronounced like Dorchester) run represents the earliest complete Bettys and, with modern digital tools, intermodular distortion and frequency anomalies can be zeroed in and excised without nasty degradation within the shoulders of those spectra; gotta love those narrow notch filters! The earliest circulating fragments from this show, in the late 80s, were low gen with noise, transient peak and pitch problems - just like most of the stuff we listened to in the 80s! How lucky we are to have the show underneath revealed. Three sources have dealt with those anomalies with slightly different digital tools and though they all sound great, albeit with resulting different sonic characteristics, I'm going with the Miller for best dynamics overall. 85478 & the Orf source don't offer the stereo image I like. Though the latter should be the most accurate technically, the Miller111793 has the more comfortable, puts-you-there full sound with just the right amount of EQ and separation, even though it may not address every crackle and squelch.

tl;dr: The Miller sounds amazing & nothing like the fragments that circulated all those years ago that tainted much of '71!

Pigpen is not the guy playing the tinkling beautiful keys on the Dark Star sandwich, the real person playing is Ned Lagin and he is playing the Clavichord. Though pigpen was there and may have added precussion or acoustic piaino, harmonica and maybe inaudible organ

They had taken about a month and half off since the end of 1970 -- a monster year -- and balls to the wall just blasted into 6 new songs -- Bertha just SMOKES and the Dark Star --> Wharf Rat (1st) --> Dark Star includes "Beautiful Jam" which truly is both beautiful and amazing.

The energy of this show is just UNREAL.

And this is the version you want to listen to -- Charlie Miller -- he just makes everything sound so much better than anyone else -- and he is a really great guy for sharing his efforts with all of us.

Oh the MIX, the MIX . . . . let's just say it ain't horrible. Just great fidelity and a truly great mix-- absolutely everyone comes through completely clearly-- just about as good a mix as anything you will hear -- and AMAZING fidelity for such an old show.

DO NOT MISS THIS ONE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES -- OTHER GRATEFUL DEAD STUFF IS AS GOOD, BUT CONSIDERING THIS SHOW START TO END, IT JUST DOESN'T GET BETTER.

An absolute dream for all of us old cassette tape collectors to have this kind of stuff available.

From the Vault Volume 3 was the next night. Why, oh why, haven't they done this night too???????????

Just everything in this show is just totally slamming.

Dick's Picks Vol. 11 was Sept. 27, 1972 -- Stanley Theater, Jersey City. Freaking Amazing. But, why, oh why, haven't they done September 28, 1972, Stanley Theater, Jersey City too????????

Nevermind-- just listen to this -- it is a religious experience . . . .

Read Evan S. Hunt's review below -- he knows his stuff and said it much better than I did.

Here ya go: http://www.thecapitoltheatre.com/event/338701-dose-dead-2-18-71-capitol-port-chester/

"Oh, that's just gorgeous.... Aw, that, that --- I'm sorry, that just, that brought tears to my eyes."

if only i had a time machine!!!! words do no justice, just listen n enjoy

Other than Dark Star what really grabs me from 2/18 is the fantastic Sugar Magnolia.

Should be noted that this show is the first Bertha, Greatest, Loser, Playin and Wharf Rat. Add the beautiful jam to that and I'm amazing this rocking show doesn't get more attention. Thanks for the upgrade Charlie - It sounds fantastic.

Thank you, this is a great upgrade copy for this great show!

Just listen to the timbre of Garcia's vocals on the opening song Bertha.

Back in 71 the GD played a song like Bertha with all dispatch. They were still somewhat in 1969 mode. Later in the 90's the band had slowed Bertha down. I much prefer this peppier version.

The organ you hear on this is Ron McKiernan aka Pigpen. This is the six man power band they had become when Mickey joined in 1967. After this night they were the five man power band of old once again. It lasted until the fall when Keith was asked to join.

Pigpen had gotten the hint from the band that he needed to buck up on his organ playing and had attempted to improve himself as a keyboardist. It was too little too late. When they started out as the Warlocks Pig's keys consisted of the newly marketed Vox organ which was relatively easy to play. When the GD invited T.C. to play keys it ignominiously relegated Pig to playing congas.

Garcia later admitted that he was impetuously wrong about dismissing Pig as a "too predictable" organist. He was not, but he was not as good as T.C. and so he took a back seat.

Finally, in Feb of 70, T.C. bowed out gracefully and left the keyboard spot to Pigpen. Ron tried very hard to learn the Hammond B-3 and actually did a pretty passable job on it until his fade-out in 1972. The B-3 is a challenge.

I absolutely adore the lengthy tuneups between songs which were the earmark of their early days. It lent a breathiness to their sets that became nonexistent when they morphed into the quintessential "orchestra" band of the 90's. Ah, you may like ballpark rock, but give me the small movie theater any day. ANY day.

This is a wonderfully exempliary foray into the funky excellence of all things Grateful Dead.

This show is beautifully recorded and presented. The performances are lively and innovative.

20 out of 5 stars.

and the show is generally awesome. Some of the best sound I've heard too. Usual '71 plethora of cowboy songs.

had this show but this Mr.Charlie Miller upgrade is well worth ''getting'' again 3 stars for show 5 for sound,so 4 overall. Grateful!!!

This is Hart's last show for a few years and there are several "first time" songs, but that does not make a great show.

The jam out of Wharf Rat is awesome, and the rest of the first set is really good (minus Mama Tried).

Set 2 is only average until NFA> GDTRFB> NFA and Uncle John's.

I'm only up to Truckin' but I know this is a five star performance by the band and Charlie Miller.

This is the last year of top-shelf Grateful Dead - Ron's last year of good health. And his organ is certainly a 'notable presence' on Truckin'.

Is that Pigpen's keyboard on Casey Jones (and elsewhere)? I'm starting to become suspect of that electric piano!

Love this era of the Dead especially the growl/bite/edge to Garcia's guitar. But as I listen to Bertha, I am wondering if this recording is running a tad fast or did they really play at that frenetic of a pace in '71. Heck there is an edge to the entire band, just listening to the sheer energy of Truckin'.

This entire run of Port Chester shows is great listening. Pig Pen still a notable presence on the organ. From a historical perspective well worh a listen. 5 out of 5 stars

So many classic Dead tunes introduced.
The show for me was a bit hit and miss but overall it's high energy and compact (few lengthy jams). Probably a great place to start someone new to the Dead.
The GSET is interesting and was obviously a work in progress. The DS>Wharf Rat>DS is beautiful - don't let the shortness of this DS fool you, they take it into space and back.

Everytime I see that name I know the recording's gonna be the best I can find. Do you plan on posting the rest of the run at any time? I'm always happy to hear your beautiful skills providing me with beautiful music all the time.

Today is the 40th anv. of the Capitol Theater shows in Port Chester N.Y. 1st Bertha, Playing in the band, Greatest story. And check out the Dark Star> Wharf Rat> Dark Star, also known as the Beautiful Jam. (1st Wharf Rat). Charlie Miller has just put one of his masterpieces of this show on the archive. (Also last show for Mickey Hart for over 3 years)
Tx, Fat Man. R.I.P.

this is the first time I have seen a dark star wharf rat sandwich. It actually works really nicely!

Don't worry, I do have the complete run from the same source.

My 3rd show - 1st I had the raw sound board and thought it was great then I had the DE-whined patched version of the sound board and thought it was great - but this is just wonderful - would be great if the rest of this run had the same source and sounded as good as this does. Once again Mr. Miller produces the definitive version of a show!

Has someone bestowed a PhD to Charlie yet? There's more than a dissertation's worth of work on the Dead part of IA alone!

Excellent show, Better sound-ESP show! I can see the chakras spinning whenever I listen to this show.

Thanks to the PTB & for PiTB. Hope others enjoy as much as I am!