While this was clearly not the best show of 1971, even at its worst moments, it is far better than ANYTHING from the post-Godchaux era. Even the tightest shows from '71 were raw and dirty, but the energy and the intensity are there in spades. Plenty of mistakes and rough moments here, but overall worth a listen.

I read in the Taping Compendium that this is one of the Dead's worst shows, but perhaps that is because at that time, it only existed as a poor AUD recording.

Now with this well-mixed SBD, this is just an average show in the middle of the saloon band era of early 1971. No real exploration present. Sadly, it's also the last Easy Wind. It's still better than any show during the Vince era.

The band really needed Keith to liven things up again.

Very ironic post! On the one hand, we have a superlatively wonderful soundboard recording, very warm, not too harsh or jangly, unlike most recordings from 1971. Also unlike those, the vocals and instruments are excellently balanced. On the other hand, this is really not a very good show. The band sound tentative and unsure of themselves, never seeming to know when to come in on their individual part in a song. The jams are uninspired, and the playing (and singing) are sub-par in most cases.

I enjoyed this set. Nice switch up.

https://www.facebook.com/chris.dileo.5/media_set?set=a.10206862194768082.1073741863.1073269189&type=3

No Highlights

TY Charlie weir evah U R ... my first GD show. another 44 years of separation on tape.. Farr Out !!

This is a rich, well-balanced soundboard recording of a boring show. The excellent quality of this tape is showcased during the delicate opening to Loser. Unfortunately, Jerry's solo, which in '71 could be transcendent, is short and uninspired.

With the possible exceptions of Morning Dew and Casey Jones, I wouldn't listen to any of these tracks twice. The band never seems to gel on this night, and they're particularly unsynchronized during Hard to Handle and Easy Wind.

I queued this up because I've long enjoyed the next night, and Mr. Miller's remaster of that show (#110185) is excellent. Don't get suckered by the beautiful sound of this tape. With so many other great Dead shows to listen to, this lackluster performance isn't worth your time.

4/4 features a nice Dew.
4/5 gets hotter with Going Down and Love Light.

Checkout the lead 3 minutes into going down the road. wowieeeeeee step back and let it rip.
These Manhattan center shows just have the perfect sound. The boys are on in early 1971.

Thanks for not cutting up Good Lovin'.

Interesting end to Easy Wind.

Did I hear wrong, or did Ron get it right at the end of Easy Wind, and the other boys got it wrong? Usually it's the other way around!

Sound is great, the description is way out of wack.

amazing show here from 1971, really loving the early 71 stuff, everything about this show rocks all is played well great songs an the ender is superb with a great uncle johns encore to boot, great show overall!

Sounds like my wife.

But, back to the music - we all know the show in question (we do, don't we?) and it's not in question (questions, questions, questions - why no answers?)and so any enhancement in the 'presentation' (Miller or otherwise) is just more icing on an already very nice cake.

And the chit-chat, well without resurrecting the 'to matrix or not to matrix' argument - no, we don't argue here, let's say "discussion" instead - well all those between song conversations, audience participation (calls for Dark Star), flubs and whatever, well (2) they just add more character and make our favourite shows even better.

Thank you 'Mr. Charlie' and also thank you for the surprise birthday present you also just put up - the much improved Portland 23/02/71 show (apols for the UK date format) - yes, much superior - bye bye to the tape flips in 'Me & Bobby McGee' and Wharf Rat. You are a real leg end !!!

Cheers,

TW 4-10-0-9

Thank you, Mr Charlie.
This sounds great.

xxx

Charlie, You Rock

..as Charlie Miller masters tend to be. The guys are relaxed and in good form. Jerry's voice is smooth and soulful and his guitar sounds like Tennessee whiskey. Bob's guitar has a beautiful, jazz-like ringing tone. His solo jam in "Hard to Handle", well, I didn't know he had it in him. It's awesome. Phil is low-key, subtle and tasty throughout. Pig is in good form though early signs of the decline are felt, if not quite heard. This sbd would make a nice matrix to zest it up a bit with the crowd effervescence. The songs are mostly short but sweet. Definitely a keeper.