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Grateful Dead Live at Uptown Theater on 1980-08-20

by Grateful Dead

Publication date: 1980-08-20 ( check for other copies)

Topics: Audience, Mason B. Taylor

Collection: GratefulDead

Band/Artist: Grateful Dead

Resource: DeadLists Project

Set 1

Jack Straw, Loser, Beat It On Down The Line, Ramble On Rose-> El Paso, Big Railroad Blues-> Looks Like Rain, Far From Me, Let It Grow-> Deal

Set 2

Greatest Story Ever Told-> Althea-> Lost Sailor-> Saint Of Circumstance-> Terrapin Station-> Drums-> Not Fade Away-> Morning Dew-> Good Lovin', E: U.S. Blues

Notes

"Mason B. Taylor was a taper from Chicago that recorded concerts by many bands in the Chicagoland area and on Dead tours. He used a Nakamichi 550 with Nakamichi 300 mics with shotgun capsules for most of his earlier recordings. In later years he used Sony D-5 and Sony D-3 cassette recorders with Nakamichi 300 mics.

Mason captured spectacular musical moments and loved to share them with his closest friends. In honor of Mason and all the love he put into his recordings we are now able to share these moments with those who can appreciate them most.

As the shows get uploaded we would love for you to share your stories about the epic times the music evokes so we can all dial back into that moment when the magic was happening.

Thanks to Mason’s family and his Chicago and Cleveland friends for opening up Mason’s Jar…"

Addeddate: 2014-05-10 15:43:03

Identifier: gd1980-08-20.128619.naks.mason.flac16

Location: Chicago, IL

Run time: 142:06.20

Source: Recorded By Mason Taylor on a Nakamichi 550 Cassette Deck, on chrome tapes, with Nakamichi microphones

Taped by: Mason B. Taylor

Type: sound

Venue: Uptown Theater

Year: 1980

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Reviews

Reviewer: lilrichwhiteboy - - August 30, 2015
Subject: Yep. Another Killer Uptown Show!

I am in a real quandary as to whether I should be giving this upload four or five stars. Ten years ago, I panned this show after listening to a few 1st set songs of the other Nak-700 recording. Well, what the hell was I thinking??? It just goes to show what a good recording will do for a review. This is a killer show but, Mason's 1st set recording also has much to be desired with DeadHead225 being correct about him moving to a better rail location in the 2nd set.

Being from Chicago I decided to listen to the 2nd set for sentimental reasons and the respect I have for Mason's ability to get good captures with the fabulous mics he possessed. To my surprise, the 2nd set is an absolutely spectacular balcony recording of a very punchy second half. GSET > Althea is classic moving smoothy and effortlessly into Sailor. The Sailor > Saint > Terrapin is competent with an excellent NFA (though I am so spoiled with the epic '77 versions, I always wish the later versions were longer.)

But here's where I am having a tough time with four stars - Morning Dew. The Boyz only did it four times in 1980 out of 86 shows. And this is a very well done Dew. It's not the monster Dew we all know and love from Rochester a few weeks later but, it's very well done. And it leads into a very good Good Lovin'. The capper is U.S. Blues which I have a fondness for... that unfortunately isn't on this upload.

I always look for a sissling end to a show and this night is where it's at. I have respect for DeadHead225 giving this five stars since I would say this show skirts X Factor. I would also give this fine show five stars overall if U.S. Blues was there and the 1st set was as beautifully recorded as the second. But I can't for the entire show as a whole. With a 2 1/2 star sounding 1st and a maxed out 2nd set, this averages to a four star presentation - wishing I could give it five. Maybe someday, another FOB might show up from somewhere. But until then, enjoy the excellently played and recorded five star second.

Reviewer: njpg - - August 20, 2015
Subject: -

Starry-eyed deadhead romanticism aside, this falls under my 4-star criteria of "good but nothing special", performance-wise.

Reviewer: Deadhead225 - - May 10, 2014
Subject: Another killer Uptown

5* for this whole run. Recommend skipping to the 2nd set for this source. Mason's rig moves to better location for set II and outshines the other balcony source IMO.

Thanks so much for uploading these late 70s and early 80s sources. Several offer nice alternatives to existing sources. A cool legacy.

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