What a satisfying time it was to think we would always have a summer Red Rocks run. The first day is noted for a Scarlet>Touch; the second day for a top China>Rider>Man Smart; the third for a great 1st set and a continuous 2nd set with the first Fantasy. There was lightning & thunder all three days, but not as bad as the '82 run. By this point taping had become a noticeable mess, with tall mics scattered everywhere. The next year there would be a solution - specified tix for a taping section. The '84 run was not well-seeded BITD of B&P. Even today there is no SBD and not a lot of choices for an '84. It's taken a long time for even these AUDs to show up.

First Set. Bang-up opening with a one-two punch of an Alabama into a caroming Greatest Story. A great, uptempo Friend follows (the set peaks early). After Rooster offers Bobby's Slide Practice™, a Railroad ticks all the boxes. Jerry wrangles Me & My Uncle until it impresses, spilling it all into a Mexicali that's pretty astonishing. The rest is below average to above average, from an Althea that pretty much trainwrecks, to a Might as Well that's brisk.

Second Set. We sometimes see this Scarlet noted as an ace; and it IS great. It's uptempo and Jer takes extra measures - such is his joy. The sudden jerk into Touch is cool. Jer dives in and Phil immediately cannonballs - though the rest belly flops. The tempo only increases for Estimated: an interesting aspect, plus a decent jam. Eyes is no doubt challenging for Jer at this tempo, but instead of playing the alternate beats he's game. Entertaining if nothing else. The rest is average '84 and solid GOGD, with an extra song, going for double Berries. U. S. Blues comes back strong, to spill them to the lots satiated.

1st Set:  B
2nd Set: C
Overall = 3¼ stars

Highlights:
Greatest Story Ever Told - caroming
Friend of the Devil - uptempo injection
Mexicali Blues - freshened
Scarlet Begonias - top version with a left turn into Touch leading a brisk set

SOURCES: AUDs only. The suraci_78162 is the best quality for the first set (just adjust balance). The nubar_d5scott has better sound for the second set (and with the tape flip in Space patched). Just use judicious EQ for better highs and less-overriding bass. Hopefully its first set will show (or a SBD, which would give justice to this show). The mke2002_holbrook was recorded with a binaural setup/dummy head (beyerm88_holbrook upgrades this source).

Seems like they got in a hurry in the second set. Makes one wonder what happened backstage...

I have seen the Dead a bunch of times. This one really got me though. The Alabama Get Away imediately lets you know Jerry is on fire that night. Later on the Mexicali Blues is the version that made me understand the song. I never really got it until I heard it that night. In fact I spent years looking for this show just so I could hear this again. (Did I really hear that or did I imagine it?) I heard it! Red Rooster is good too. In fact one of the great first half shows going. By the second half, its almost like who cares.
It was a great night in Red Rocks that night. I remember being there witha friend who was amrginally into the Dead and this show kick his ass. I have been going to shows for a while in the Denver Area (All the 77-78 Red Rocks shows, Folsom in 80.) I had also been in California and seen dozens of other shows. This one stands out. Great stuff. Pretty good recording. Should probably be listened to loudly!

Not many shows with this awesome mix . Had this tape stolen in college. Sounds great!!

Been wanting to see a copy of this show up here for a long long time. I thought I may have had the only copy. This one sounds quite nice & crisp as I remember the show being. My own master sounds a lil bit more boomy & audiency. Probably the difference between Naks & Beyer's M201s I was patched into.