Perusing the SBD reviews, one would think that this is a C/C+ of a show. What does that mean, even? Maybe for some cranks it means, "1979 isn't 1969." Well, no duh! That's right, Dark Star-> St. Stephen-> the 11-> Lovelight this is not. Pig Pen is dead; Keith and Donna are gone; and this sounds refreshing to my ears. Like the New West magazine of December 1979 once headlined, "New Life for the Grateful Dead."

I concur. This show is an excellent example of how the first summer tour with Brent finds the band a bit feistier than they had been toward the end of the Keith and Donna times. (Of course, '78 has some sick highlights, Red Rocks among them.) Phil, in particular, seems to have found a new lease on life, here. On the board, he comes through as a blown woofer: oversaturated. But he's "feeling it," and he sounds great on this aud. When Phil's on, the band's on. It helps elevate an otherwise ordinary setlist to new heights.

The sound, here, is awesome. It's a nice, wide open recording with a minimal of audience interference. Both Bobby and Jerry shine on the Estimated, and one can hear the dynamics as if right there in the 12th row. The drummers are so tight that they're "invisible," and Brent fits as though he's always been there. They must've loved playing Estimated at Red Rocks; it soars.

Don't believe the naysayers. Just let the music play.