This show has been listed as an all-time fave by Blair and shows up on lists of others as well, though it remains a hidden gem for the most part. It's in the middle of a hot tour (after amazing shows on 9/2, 9/4 & 9/7), and arguably the tour peak, if not the year's peak. Also, it's way uptempo - like they were attached to electrodes. The AUDs were a hidden gem for traders for decades, but gods-be-appeased we finally have a decent SBD. I had a hissy AUD for years and, though the SBD isn't the best mix, the show is so delightful discernment decidedly dwindles.

It's an explosive-Jer first set, followed by a unique second set, at one of the highest (altitude-wise) venues they played [the 7th, precisely - though @6243' not quite as high as the previous week's Red Rocks & Park City]. The promoter supplied a large fire pit for hanging out after, and Bob McCracken got hold of a thousand roses and had the stage decorated; the leftovers festooning sundries, making a dirt horse track homey and Heady [no skulls though...]. The show is sometimes ticklisted for having the only CR&S encore and, for those that then listen, discovered.

First Set. Of the seven verses in Music Never Stopped, Bobby remembers two. Ah well, it's not a big song in '83 (and there were only 6), although the jam section gives a hint of Jer's firey mood. The mix is better on the AUD, and the MTX is great here. Brent then plays Dixie (only heard on the AUD). Partway through They Love Each Other there's a quite sudden X Factor and then it's game fucking on. My Brother Esau gets going late, then kicking ass. The rest is excellent-to-aces*. Jer starts tearing through Big Railroad. He goes off again in Beat it on Down the Line-10 (that's ten w/out Phil or Jer). From here he's like a coiled spring on each song. *The only exception is Minglewood [local fillies/T in Santa Fe], where you get Bobby's Slide Practice™, though it's still pretty hot. The SBD has a 15sec cut @5:35, so best to use the MTX. China Cat starts very briskly...then goes even further uptempo. It has stunning interplay, incredible Phil and a crazy-ass jam. I Know You Rider is a marvel to behold at this tempo and leaves 'em restless for more during a super-long break.

Second Set. Bobby's opening joke is AUD-only. Dewimmina starts flinging X Factor right off. On Cumberland Jer goes into a manic flurry mode; the last jam particularly astonishing. This whole set has a one-off feel, not quite like others from the tour/era. There's no Bobby guitar on the SBD for the first couple mins of Playin' (heard only a little better on the AUD). It has an utmost-qual jam. The verse/song section of China Doll is solid, then it goes right back into tapping that jam universe, but veering into unique territory. Jer and Phil only stay for a minute or so, then Bobby, Brent and the drummers have themselves an idiosyncratic Doll jam. If the open jamming is your fave part of this band, this set's for you. Space quickly becomes yet another unique, cohesive jam. After 12mins it slowly becomes a superb Other One. The last jam of Goin' Down the Road is chocolate cake for breakfast. Listen for Brent on Saturday Night. Before the encore there's a 26 Miles tuning (heard better on the AUD). Surprisingly, this snarling Cold Rain & Snow is the only one as an encore. Also, Phil sang on it, wearing a sombrero. This was notable because in this era Phil didn't sing - often he didn't even have a mic setup (Box of Rain didn't return until '86). Clearly they knew something had transpired and wanted to run with it!

1st Set:  B+
2nd Set: A
Overall = 5 stars   HG

Highlights:
They Love Each Other - sudden X Factor
Big Railroad Blues - Jer ready to rebel at whatever you got
Beat it on Down the Line - Jer now waiting like a coiled spring
China Cat Sunflower>I Know You Rider - some say best of '83
Second Set - entire match is aces; only Drums is average

SOURCES: The silberman_miller_84487 is the best AUD - better than what used to circ; as is the Seamons matrix (139379_mtx). We finally have a decent SBD: the 139299_sbd_eaton_miller. It has great Phil, but can use EQ in the 6k-10k range. It does sound like it runs much too fast, but it only needs a pitch adjustment of -1%, starting at Big Railroad. Most of the AUDs run 1-2% fast.

Grateful to finally get a very good SBD of this show! And yes indeed Phil is all over this show, god he was good in his heineken day's. Love it! Kudos for the upload! Jerry is charging during china cat, I mean listen He's large and in charge in the transition. Long live 1983!!!!!!

One Of The Last Grate Examples Of Phil Leading The Entire Band And The Band Listening And Willing, Or In Fact Able To Follow Him. Where Ever He May Lead. Mickey Seems Slightly Out Of The Cosmic Box. A Bit Rigid And Overbearing. The Magical Power Fields Of Santa Fe And The Surrounding Area Helping Everyone Along. This One's Got Some Nice, Unusual Riffs Throughout. (The Other One eg.) A Fine Show. Superlative Sound. A Crackle Here And There. Probably Due To Those Magnetic Power Fields. Keep Watching The Skies. Jerry's Up There.

Excellent addition.

Was extremely happy to finally see a SBD emerge of this well-known show. Really good copy, crisp and clean.

Biggest beneficiary of this source? For me it has to be Phil. He's up front and in charge here, his ability to tie together the entire band with his rumbling mastery on full display. This is one certainly worth seeking out in order to add to your collection. Outstanding. Mr Eaton and Mr Miller rarely, if ever, disappoint. Kudos all around.