First set sound quality is not great. I agree, yes, this reminds me of some of our earliest tapes. "Hiss on top of hiss." Actually, to be fair, I don't think there's so much hiss, as there is just a lot of audience in the mix. Reminds me of the time - back in the day - that I traded for the entire MSG '91 run (9/8-9/18). Was soooo excited. Then when it arrived, well, they all sounded like this. The entire batch of 18 XL2s!

At any rate, set two sound quality improves. As for the music: crowd is treated to an early first set (second song) Loser. I like the Railroad Blues and the Let it Grow->Deal closer. Also, check out the short and surprisingly funky NFA that suegues into a rare '80 Dew.

I was so high and it was so long ago, it is hard to remember. I remember thinking the Jack Straw opener was not nearly as good as the last show I was at here in 1979. Same with the US Blues encore. I was just graduated from high school and didn't have to sneak off to see a concert in the city. I was so mature that summer.
I was on the floor but my seat was in the balcony. Way too far away for my youthful tastes. I remember struggling to maintain because it was all so much. Not having a seat and so high. What became my usual situation at shows.
That 1st set was just so much fun. And the ending just about set me on fire. My 5th show and each song was so new. Holly cow I remember the BIODTL, LLR and Ramble On Rose! It was incredible I got to see my first 5 shows at the Uptown. What a venue!
The curtains in the lobby were way too bright! The 2nd set opener kicked me out of my LSD lost cause state. And then the Althea was so wonderful. I had not really liked the new Lost Sailer Saint on the album, but live it was quite moving. I remember Terrapin melting me.
I have no memory of drums and space. But I certainly remember the NFA! I mean everybody was going even more crazy than ever. Then... AM Dew came and I was launched into another universe. I don't think any other AM Dew was as memorable. But, the Good Lovin' got everyone back into total rocker mode. I recall the audience clapping and screaming outrageously in that theater. We did not stop even 20 minutes after the encore.
I saw the 1st night but, I missed the 3rd night and Alpine Valley's first GD concert. I went to all the other ones there though!
As for the recording quality, I have not listened to it for years. I keep listening to the first night. Phil dropping the bomb in the opening numbers. All I know is this aud is just another washed out recording. I tend to not tolerate them. But, I have it from this source, and may give it another listen. It was such a fun time!
Will they ever renovate the Uptown? Going to the Riviera just down the street (to see Phil and Friends) is nice but not the same excellence the Uptown was. I don't know anything regarding the swaying Uptown balcony. It was infamous. I was always down on the floor. I am not a twirler. Back on this night I was learning to be railer.
I don't know what to rate this recording, so, no rating.

This was my first Dead show and I still remember it! It was an awesome show (second set was unreal) and experience. I've never been the same since. I have to give it 5 stars as it was the day that changed my world. Thank You Grateful Dead !!

Disregard. Can you remove these posts?

I like the previous reviewer's comment about this being a first tape. As I've ranted about previously, there was a day when we were not so fortunate to have an archive. That first box of tapes still contains many of my most favorite shows. 5/4/77 Palladium that was so many generations old, the hiss had hiss. 2/15/73 Dane County with the incomparable, and apparently rare Dark Star > Eyes >China Doll. They all wore a track in my brain that remains to this day, and I still prefer those tapes to cleaner arguably better sound available here.

This was one of the first tapes I ever owned and because of that I'm sure that I'm partial, but the lead in the loser is sooo amazing. I listened to this tape to death in the early 80s. Alas but my tape was probably a couple of generations down the line from this one. I wish there was a board of this but I'm grateful to have heard that loser again. Also, the jerry lead in Deal, is also brilliant.

My second show -- great venue, great show. I recall how shocked I was walking in -- the place was so small and intimate. Just walked up the aisle to the front. No hassle at all. Magic place to be. Moved to the back right before Terrapin, sat back and enjoyed rest of show -- until Morning Dew raised the roof. From the perspective, the audience "noise" is a welcome reminder of the experience.

We hitched from philly to chicago to see our friend rabbit with next to nothing but a dozen doses and a smile. Singin we can share... all the way, we spent the longest day of my life on the side ofthe highway that goes from Indianapolis to Chicago. Livestock trucks stacked 3 high with pigs going to market in 95 degree heat. We gaot into town in the way part of AM and they had held the bar open for us. We shared women and wine and went to the show the next night - then they opened with Jack straw.
After all the big stadiums this was like sharing a living room with the band, Does that place hold 3,000? maybe less. Ran to the stage and realized we didn't have to. -
History lesson - You weren't always allowed to bring taping equipment inside.
Terrapin - Jerry was the story teller as much as the guitar player this evening.
Famous quote from during Mortning Dew - If i knew they were gonna play that i woulda worn me shorts.

Love ya Paul and Rabbit and whats'er name and whats'er name.

This is the only circulating version of this show, so ya takes what ya gets. Put some EQ on it and it's totally listenable.

And it's got a Dew! One of only 4 played that year, and despite the noise it's cool hearing the audience going nuts. I would have, too.

A great performance overall, typical of the period. Every single show from spring and summer of 80 is worth having.

Truly an epic 2nd set...I have been dreaming of finding a better copy of this show. Jam at the end of Althea is all-time.
Anyone with a line on another (better) recording of this please let me know.

The band performed this incredible song once in 1978, and once in 1979. Any recording of Morning Dew from 1980 is very welcome, and I'm grateful for having had the chance to listen to this.

If you turn the volume up, and then up some more, you can hear the music quite well. The exit begins around 7:55, and what a joy to hear the pin-drop quiet. As it builds, Garcia sounds fast and fluent. The initial crescendo of blurred/trilled chords starts around 10:30, and it takes off soon thereafter.

I can only imagine what a thrill it must have been, to be on the floor of the old Uptown and hear them do this.

Agreed with the lousy quality. Only listened to first 3 songs. Crowd seems rowdy with a lot of annoying clap-alongs. I'd recommend passing this one by unless you were there or are a big fan of AUD recordings to make you feel you were there. I feel the recording takes away from what sounds like a decent fun show based on the 1st 3 tunes.

how can people bitch about an aud like this it is pure dank goodness

Sounds like a damn fine show to me. 'Piss Poor' whatever whatever. We're immeasurably lucky and blessed to have each and every one of these shows, and sound quality-wise i think its quite good compared to others i've heard on here.
And The Boyz sound quite dialed in.

fun show, poor recording quality

This is a piss poor recording, but if you want to sit through it and pretend that it doesn't suck, Morning Dew is worth it. It sails. I've heard worse sound quality, but I can't quite remember when. Performance quality? Again, on that song in particular, it doesn't get much better than this. Averaging it out---3 stars.

Crappy neighborhood. People blatantly selling acid on the street (Doses, Doses). Was in the balconey and it was swaying (no, I wasn't dosed). Spent most of the show watching hippies dancing in a trance. So for my first show, the "scene" certainly overshadowed the music.