Estimated>Eyes was played at Richfield Coliseum on 9-8-93 for the first time since since 7-22-90. The last time they played this classic combo was 2-26-95 with David Murray. Of the three versions with Vince, the Richfield one takes the cake IMO. All of these 90s versions pale in comparison to a good 80s one though, much less the powerhouse versions they tossed out in the late 70s, Englishtown 9-3-77 or 10-29-77 De Kalb come to mind.
As for the rest of this show-SHAAAAAKEDOOOOOWN!!!!
One of the all time best Shakedowns! No kidding, this one ranks up there with 11-20-78, 12-5-79, 6-30-85, 6-22-91 and 9-10-91 as my favorite versions of Shakedown. Jerry is hitting all the notes with the perfect amount of funk in his tone. Vince is in rare form, showing that when he's on, he can tickle the ivories with the best of them. Delectable funk jams found here. Free your mind and your ass will follow!
The Cold Rain is also among the best versions out there. I rank this with the TLEO from 9-10-93 as the best examples of the 'acoustic' tone Jerry was using around this time. The acoustic feel harkens back to this tunes folk roots. Jerry nails every note with gusto and really gets into the vocal, practically shouting the "Out in the cold rain and snow. Run Me! Out in the Cold Rain and Snow. RUN ME!!!" He is so into it and singing so passionately that it makes you forget the late date and transports you back to the mid-60s. Then they drop the Ball with a mediocre Queen Jane and the show never recovers.
This show features one of the all time opening combos-Rain>Shakedown>Wang Dang>Cold Rain. Then one of the all time biggest dropoffs-the rest of the show. Rain through Cold Rain is absolutely blistering, the rest of the show is absolutely boring. This is a textbook example of the "hit and miss" show that was so common 93-94. Dont know what caused the show to fall off a cliff like that but... "goes to show you dont ever know"
5+ for Rain>>Cold Rain.
2 for rest of show.

Aother great opening night at MSG. Incredible energy in the garden. I give it a 4.75

Highlights include: final pairing of estimated>eyes ( last played in Philly, fall 1989), Jerry strumming the "washboard" in the china>rider, rain>shakedown>wang dang>cold rain to open.

As I look back, this was a great tour. Even the "off" nights are good or at least better than I remember them being at the time.

Be sure to check out 9/20/93 for the smoking 1st set and the 2nd last show in Boston.. its hot!

First night was good with the Quiet Rain opener, into Shakedown which they love to play in New York. Second set was quality with China>Rider>Est>Eyes soild for a LI boy! Thanks!