I had a tape of this that was one of my favorites. Yeah, it was the sloppy 80's, but in the early 80's, Jerry's voice still sounded good, he still played really well, and they still jammed quite a bit. Also there were a lot of songs played, which made for long shows and unusual setlists.

Jerry misses a verse on China Cat, but he makes up for it with an extended jam on China and then sheer utter wailage on Rider. I love the way he builds to a tremolo jam, high and loud, and then the volume falls to nothing before the final verse. Such juxtaposition. You think Phil wasn't playing well this show? I wouldn't agree, especially based on this Rider.

Next we get a Feel Like a Stranger and a stranger jam -- not the usual fast, ripping jam from this song, but a smooth transition into Comes a Time that features an exquisite Jerry solo in the middle, then a sweet minor mode ending that perfectly sets up Estimated. Jerry's not exactly perfect on that either, but plays with great energy. This goes into He's Gone, and then the real fun starts. The He's Gone jam changes first the rhythm, then the key, and finally smoothly slips into Uncle John's, on which Jerry, frankly, explodes! Drums goes into a slow Not Fade and another wonderful transition, this time into Sugar Mag, which smokes like everything else this set.

....there are some nifty moments. The first part before the drums is a dream set list - love every song selected - where did that energy come from (perhaps the devils dandruff)? Sound quality is great. BUT, something just seems “off” to me, kinda sloppy in some places, not fully together. Still would have loved to be there, but my first show didn’t come until August of that year.

Yes! Oh yes, yes please, more please, sir ❤(~);}

Nice 1980 second set which is smokin hot, hot, hot!

Being a fan of Sug Mags, I must say this is a great version, full of energy.

A classic dead show, check it out if you have not already.

Couldn't disagree w/Pangolin more - this is one of the best 2nd sets ever. Stellar China Cat/Rider. Comes a time is excellent - the transition from Stranger is out of this WORLD! Not to mention the Uncle Johns!

If you like the Dead at it's jamming best, this show is for you.

Recording is fabulous

Jerry played his best version of Comes A Time which is touching and the China Cat>KYR smokes.

Nothing spectacular here. I was disappointed with comes a time (one of my faves). I think overall, Bobby (who seemed energized) was trying his damnedest to get the rest of the band on board but with no luck.
Lesson: If Charlie Miller's name is on the show it means it will be expertly mastered; it does not mean it's going to be a great performance.

Listen to the China-Riders from spring '80, Capitol Theater, Penn State and Hartford, all amazing. The pre-drums was some of the best jamming I ever saw live, my first "Comes a Time", another great He's Gone, (also listen to 5/12/80 He's Gone), and my second Uncle John's (Glens Falls just before)with very nice transitions. This SB is very well balanced, but the audience tapes do show how ape-shit everyone was going, The NFA> Sugar Mag was short but high, high energy, double rock and roll encore. I remember it well.

This was one of the best shows I saw from '79-'83. Jerry was obviously 'on' from the beginning, and the song selection (Comes a Time and Uncle Johns) before the drums shows how into it he and the band was. The crowd was a little weird, someone blew up a cherry bomb during Comes a Time, go figure, but all in all, I'd say a top 5 show during the Brent era. Great to hear such clean quality, I've had an audience cassette of this for years but this is brilliant.

So glad a SBD surfaced of at least part of this show. SQ is pretty good -a little "hot" but nice dynamics. Yes a matrix would be awesome. The pre-drums is epic, and the short, but rockin post-drums and the double encore will rock your socks off. The China>Rider is amazing with Jerry lighting it up during both solos, his "headlight" verse. Things get even better with the return of Comes A Time and the unique He's Gone>Uncle Johns. the transition jam is way cool. Also to the previous reviewer - Phil is not up front but I can certainly hear him - he is not taking charge but certainly laying down a solid foundation. Absurd to give this only 3 stars on the basis that Phil is "not involved". You basically would need to write off all of 1981 on that basis.

...Phil is lack luster on this show because the rest of the band is on, though Jerry drops an entire verse during China Cat. When Phil is not interested in playing anything but root notes then the show cannot be great. Typical of so many early 80's shows.In his autobiography Phil admits much of the early 80's were his worst because of alcohol. I am afraid this show falls short. Not worth it if you like Phil even a little bit. Ok for the songs sequence before drums but other than that no worth it.

Wow, 27 years of a subpar source I had on tape of this amazing show and then out of nowhere a SBD - this is the first I have ever heard of a SBD source for this show. Totally Psyched Thank You again Mr. Miller!

Anyone who reads this who is currently doing matrix's may I suggest a Matrix done with Jim Wise's source and this SBD. After hearing the Stellar work that was done on the 5/8/81 mix I'm eager for more. 5 Star Performance esp for this Monster front loaded 2nd set. I know it is only 7 + songs but I still think it would be worth it. Sorry I'm not a audio tech otherwise I would attempt this myself.

gotta love the laid back ferocity of this show.

...for drawing this fabulous show and high-quality recording to my attention. It's a real gem.

Very smokin'set w/ a beautiful Comes A Time and He's Gone thrown in for a lil' contemplation......the encore is out of this world!!! They just come out no holds barred and level the place for those last two w/ a garage-band kind of rawness that leaves you just beggin' fer more. Brent has some moments in this show that are uniquely sublime, as you follow along....