This show has haunted me like a phantom. First: Grateful Dead, 1984, a year of strife but also of invention -- the bad comes to us face to face, but there's beauty in that imperfection, and the moments of light out of this liquid darkness shine brighter as a result. The Grateful Dead are a dark band, and 84 is one of my favorite years because everything is so dark and mysterious. Now, they're coming in hot in the 1984 summer tour, and Red Rocks is the perfect place to sizzle. This AUD by Bryant and transferred by Miller is exquisite and boundless in sonic resonance. The drums are pounding and separate, Phil is booming, Jerry is fast on the attack, Bob and Brent in typical jangly twirling melody. The first set really hits you -- it even produces a great, energetic FOTD! -- and things continue to roll on from there. The second set -- man, it sounds like they're playing like they're double parked. The Touch of Grey out of Scarlet is maddening in its rush -- my god! And then the Other One -- brilliant and full and rich with creepy, weird, grotesque beams of eternal light. At the Rocks, these guys are their most dynamic; this recording here totally brings that to life for us. Official rating: 4 1/12 Stars. In the upper-deck approaching the greatest shows of all time. One of my lifetime picks. Keep it weird!

Highlights: The Other One