Reviewer:
Mind Wondrin
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favoritefavorite -
September 27, 2018
Subject:
Doing the Greeks
They'd just been across the bay at the Frost - playing the two "boutique" campus amphitheaters in the Bay Area at the time, and right before the Alpine Valley Solstice shows. People would ask, "are you doing the Greeks?", which meant you got in on the ticket lottery or camped for tix. It was the most-special of the venues, though the congestion and parking were notorious and it lacked camping and vending. I had some of this show as filler for years before I had the whole thing. I hadn't heard it for more than two decades again, yet immediately recognized the parts that were on a much-loved Red Rocks tape. In fact I was given parts of this run as B & P filler several times BITD (odds-beating fluke. Did this ever happen to you?). The Greeks were annual from 81>89. Played 29 times! Sgt Pepper's was played over the PA as the boys took the stage (as heard on the Oade AUD source). The band then had to walk offstage before coming back to begin the 1st set. But some have made much of this fact, feeling that this was a better show as a result of hearing the Beatles first - even showing up on faves lists. But I suspect there's just been a simple date error - the following day is clearly the best of the run (and perhaps month). This show is known for the first Keep on Growing and a remarkable Peggy-O.
First Set. Though I always like a See, See Rider, the first few are a slow warm-up until a fantastic Peggy-O. Jer does these little placeholder half-steps in his solo that are incredible (these have had a huge influence on my personal playing and probably for some of you). Helena trainwrecks. I liked the years where it was a mid-setter - too bad that Jer losing the thread a few times, and equipment problems, force them to leave the stage again (not obvious on the SBD). They come back having decided to launch the first-ever Keep on Growing (of 4). Ultimately, Clapton's bluesy rave-up didn't stick, and this one is tentative, though Jer has one in the chamber for his solo. The next week at Alpine is the one you want, though the Merriweather Post has the best tempo. IIRC this was Phil's idea? In the encore slot it may have stood a chance. Stagger Lee is the first since '82. The rest is average '85.
Second Set. Healy has a little moment for himself, pulling ridiculous pranks during this show, including before Morning Dew (wisely cut from the new Miller source). Playing in the Band is uptempo, like much of '85, though nearly ruined by the Healy interjections (it's not a "woman's voice seducing Bobby" and Weir is said to have hated it because Healy was sending it to HIS stage monitor). The rest is average '85, except for a great Drums. Brent is out for the first part, with a little drums-and-keys jam, then he leaves and it gets freaky (on this new source, Drums actually starts @6:52 in China and ends 2 minutes into Space). Truckin' is rough and they wisely and smoothly segue into Smokestack. It doesn't really get its head of steam. By Sugar Magnolia, Jer sits back on the first part and Bobby starts losing his voice. Day Job isn't a bad version - but it's not 10/14/83.
1st Set: C
2nd Set: C-
Overall = 2 stars
Highlights:
Peggy-O - Jer does some cool half-steps
SOURCES: There are an unusual amount of sources with mediocre sound and pitched too fast or slow. The chappell matrix is great - better than miller_117028. Charlie has since worked on a much-improved transfer that has been pitch-corrected, (135615_sbd-new_miller). 135656_sbd_miller is a mirror of this better version.