This was my first dead show. I was a freshman in college. I was hooked. Saw shows in altanta, Miami, Oakland, Mountain View and LA. Wish i saw more.

I thought this was a good show although I was pretty stoned in those days.

the highlights are a high energy, blazing Fire on the Mountain and the Wharf Rat. The lyrics are messed up on Terrapin(the guitar work filler is nice) and Playin' in the Band is okay (Bob belts out the lyrics) but its not as experimental or high energy as some others in the same time period. For a much better Scarlet, Fire, Samson, Terrapin, Playin' combo from this tour I recommend 11-1-79, except for the Scarlet/Fire (Which is excellent for both shows), pre drums 11/1 has a higher sustained energy than this show. The Scarlet/Fire from this show is a must stream! Keep streaming for as long as you want and then check out the Wharf Rat. If the Terrapin was mistake free and the Playin' in the Band was on par with 11/1, 11/6, or 12/28 I would've given the 2nd set 5 stars but as is I give it 4 stars.

I like this audience recording better than the other one that's avaliable. Nice and crisp, unlike the other that sounds muddier and farther away from the band. Solid performance to boot. Check out Terrapin through the PITB reprise, great stuff.

Iam not crazy about those first shows from Spartan an on through summer. My gosh what more do you want from these guys than this re juved Fall 79 tour. Rochester was nice, Augusta was ok atmoshere of venue and party scene probably out dis the show (check out 84) But, this MSG run was killer, the 24th was just ok and New Haven CT on 25th was a hot one. Now you get in to the old school ice rink Cape Cod run and I would easily say this is some of the Dead at there career best . Listen to the Dancin>Franklins-He's Gone>Caution Jam>Other One>Drums. The Nausau run was pretty strong and I really dig the Cap Centre and quit hgonestly the whole Nov '79 run smokes and most of Dec with exection of a few drowsey shows. I don't recall '78 being any better and I love that year. I love Jan-feb run after his voice comes back beatiful stuff. Pre april 78 run.
Also words cant describe not only that funky sound effect had had working on his organ but how he played was sublime.
ex. 10-25 Shakedown
10-27 Dancin>Franklins

This show was disappointing as were most of the shows from the early tours with Brent. Not a lot of energy from the band although the crowd was into it. This was my 5th show and I remember being there saying.."well I guess this is the end of the road...at least i caught a few good ones" My next show was providence 11/3/79 which was equally bad and confimed my feelings of Springfield.....although they broke out Alabama Getaway. I realy thought this band was done. Little did I know that there was plenty greatness remaining....Brent Mydland...what a tragedy.

This show gets a bad rap, IMO. This show kicked off one of the great tours of the post Donna/keith era, and this show is not quite up to the standards of Cape Cod, Nassau or the Veteran's Memorial shows. However,I saw every show on this tour and I liked this show a lot. The whole second set just rocks, great scarlet-fire, nice terrpain and great Playin through the encore. As far as the sound, this is a very nice sounding aud tape.

...this recording is strange. Very clear (low gen), but WAY too much mid range. So much so that it actually hurts your ears to turn it up at all. That being said, it is still listenable, and the crowd is going nuts. Nice setlist, too. Jerry flubs Loser & Sailor>Saint is pretty weak, not to mention a very quiet Easy To Love You. Highlights are Mama Tried, Minglewood, Fire (not necessarily this Scarlet, but the Fire is nice) & best part: Playin>>>Johnny B. Goode. In particular, one of my favorite versions of WHARF RAT I've ever heard! Sick. If this is the best recording out there, it is worth the d'load for historcal purposes, but there are better shows out there.

Sound=2.5, Performance=3.5, Setlist=3, Crowd=4.5 ... 3.375 overall.