This is a fantastic under-the-radar show out of a classic Grateful Dead venue, the Capital Centre. In between a Greek Theatre run in Berkeley and their first show of the European fall tour, the Dead played a somewhat random mini run of three East Coast stops in a row, with shows in Bethlehem, Buffalo, and Landover, respectively. This is the last of the three, and it serves as both the closer for their three-night mini tour as well as a promising final tune-up for their shows across the pond.

This is quite a first set. As with most of the early versions of Athea, this is searing hot. It Must Have Been the Roses is always a privilege to listen to, and they close the set with a hypnotic, dramatic Sailor > Saint. The segue into Saint is one of the best you’ll ever hear. The second set is as awesome as it looks on paper. How about that Spanish Jam > Wharf Rat of Space? The show is consistently excellent from start to finish, and this is a well-balanced soundboard recording (both qualities that can’t always be said of early ‘80s shows). The recording is crystal clear, and everyone’s audible in the mix, including Phil, whose bass can sometimes be hidden in SBDs from this era. Just as important as the songs included within the setlist, is the fashion in which the songs flow in order from one to the next. This show has great flow.

Very, very enjoyable ‘81 gig. Smooth and consistent. I don’t stroll through 1981 nearly as often as I should (do any of us?), but I’ve listened to this one twice now, and it’s definitely one that I’ll be revisiting again and again in the future.

Sweet Candyman.

Better than 3 stars. Nice versions of most songs. Sailor/Saint is very nice. Spanish jam is sweet. Wharf Rat is kind. I saw this show but have no memory of it except seeing Kreutzman arriving in his limo with some hot blond chick driving him and he was laughing and seemed in good spirits.

Nothing earth shattering, well played.

This is one of a few shows at the end of '81 where Lost Sailor > St. of Circumstance end the first set. Most of the time they were followed by Deal, giving us the ever popular L>S>D initialism (coincidence or message, you be the judge), but in these few instances, the follow was "we're gonna take a short break..."