Reviewer:
Sonny11
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
June 2, 2022
Subject:
Tidy and well played
Nice show. Seems Jer got his dosages right as he hits a number of high points. As mentioned the tryptic of Bird song/Let it grow and Deal is nice. Love brent's scan during his solo on CC rider, which even Bob manages to not lose the plot on his slide solo. Jerry's second solo in Mexicali is smoking, and nice interstitial jam between Stella and Good loving. I think the 2nd set is fine, except for perhaps the energy-sapping Lost Sailor, redeemable only for its announcing St of Circumstance to follow. Its no wonder Bob dropped this navel gazer when he reprised St years later.
Reviewer:
ripple947
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May 13, 2021
Subject:
Solid but not a 1981 standout
Honestly, after two long jammy shows in New Haven, this was a letdown. They went from 55-60 minute pre-drums segments those nights to less than forty minutes. This was more like the short, energetic, basic shows from 1987 than what they were capable of in 1981. The ending first set trio of the first set is the highlight, the second set kinda meh.
Reviewer:
kbmill
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July 29, 2015
Subject:
bread crumb
I'm not hearing Wang Dang Doodle. I mean some of the chords might be there, but it's a stretch to connect that to the song that bursts out 2 1/2 years later. Kind of like hearing Iko in every Man Smart Woman Smarter.
Reviewer:
clementinescaboose
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January 22, 2014
Subject:
Bird Song>LIG>Deal
This sequence is excellent, with some fine playing by all. The Bird Song in particular is a standout, rivaling some of the fantastic versions from March. Though the jam is a bit on the short side, the flow and energy are palpable, with Garcia weaving his usual melodic magic.
Reviewer:
chris phillips
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
August 11, 2013
Subject:
primed Jerry, but to what effect
Jerry was feeling quite well, but he wasn't working with a whole lot of support. Let It Grow, Deal and Terrapin are highlights.
Reviewer:
Slarti
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
March 8, 2011
Subject:
iko iko ah day
Reviewer:
spinalpap
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
January 20, 2008
Subject:
Solid '81 show.
This is a really nice '81 with some definite terrific moments. In particual.
First Set:
CC Rider, while not a favorite of mine, caught my attention as a pretty hot rendition.
Friend of the Devil is highlight of the show. Jerry rips it to shreds and from the first note to the last it pleases the ears.
Mexacali, Bird Song and Let it
Grow all have real nice guitar leads.
Second Set:
Terrapin nice.
Lost/Saint is really tight and strong.
The Stella Blue is primo.
Overall, a very good '81 performance with excellent recording quality. The more I listen to this year, the more I like it.