This unattributed matrix is a surprise for me. With Jerry under the eleven-month-long laryngitis that plagued our hero throughout 1979, I have to admit, "I'm from Missouri" when I spin anything before November. But this show (as well as May 5th that I just heard) is an outliere that pleasantly reminds me not to take any date for granted in my continual search for "The Sound."

The thing I like about this mix is that the board is kept way back and is more of an accent to the good audience tape. The treatment is gentle and mixes very well. With Jerry in decent voice tonight, I'm happy to say I can recommend adding this mid year effort to your collection.

There is only one issue with the end of the 1st set. There seems to be a phasing or processing delay problem that is quite noticeable. I'm not sure what the technical words are the echo-ish sound that haunts Promised Land, but it's there.

If I had to choose one song to send into the great unknown to represent all that The Grateful Dead are, it would be the version of Franklin's Tower at this location on this day with this crowd and the Dead in the state they were in on this night. Thank you boys for a glimpse of nirvana.

this show has some smokin' parts in it, like most of the Brent half of '79.

However if you have not completely drunk the matrix kool-aid, you might want to pass on this fileset. It's one of those mushy sounding matrixes that people profess to love for whatever reason. Sure, the tonality of the bass and Jerry's guitar is better, but the overall sound is soft and simply unrealistic.

Just my $0.02. If you're a big matrix head, you'll probably love this, but I found it unlistenable due to the constant manifestation of strange audio artifacts and the overall surrealist sonic landscape. I prefer to let the band create the weirdness, not the recording.

Good comments all. These shows 8/4 and 5 '79 have been two of my favorite shows form this year for quite soem time, very well played. 12/28 is anotehr one I highly recommend and I assume everyone's heard 12/26. This show has a nice jam between scarlet and fire and out of estimated. Althea and Sailor are failry polished for early versions. I liked the sound of 1979, a little of the thickness from '78 but easing Brent in and his syncth and vocals added a nice touch from day 1. Check out some of the spring tour shows to bear that out, ui.e. Charlotte, Hampton, Easton, State College, etc.

After years of enjoying this site for the music and the entertaining reviews (check out the social commentary/novel that follows the bands last concert if you have an extra hour or two) i've finally been inspired to post one of my own. Outstanding show. Superb playing, strong setlist, and a great mix to boot. Very enjoyable.

Evan nailed it, albeit in a way that I wouldn't have first thought of. Great show matched up with great sound. A matrix is only as good as the care folks are willing to give it. This one shows some fine attention to detail. Mix is spot on as Evan said. Those Rhino farts have been replaced with flatulent blue whales on crack. Truly a sight, and sound, to behold. Yet another incredibly solid 79 show in MOTB + SBD quality.

Three hours and twenty minutes of sheer ecstasy.

The AUD portion of the matrix brings out the bass guitar so that it doesn't sound (as it does on the SBD's) like a Rhino farting out on the Kalahari.

I was there, but I wasn't there.

There is here.

Best of show: Johnny B. Goode

Yes, this show is that hot!