Many thanks for this recording. Wow. I search for recordings like this where you can feel the crowd. Holy moly the end of China Doll!!!! So incredible that such a sleeper of a song can bring out such a strong reaction from so many people.

This is a 5 star recording. So clear and even throughout.

I think 1980 was a pretty uneventful year, except of course for the acoustic sets. This one in particular is very good. I like the vibe AUD tapes give, especially for acoustic sets.

The first electric set is pretty good. Nothing amazing but solid nonetheless. I’d say the same for the last set as well. I’d say give it a listen. I may not be returning to this show but I don’t regret listening to it.

Cheers!

The full SBD is not in circulation. But there is one AUD that sounds incredible, considering it was captured from the 29th row - clearly Mark had a sweet spot. This is the second of the shows at Radio City and the 19th of the series. It also ranks in the top 3, and when GDP gets back to this series, the rest of this show will be the first released (and hopefully the 14th!).

First Set. The acoustic set is essentially perfect. There are a few that you can argue are better on other days, but the section from Must Have Been the Roses through Monkey & the Engineer is crystal. This was used for the second disc of Reckoning.

Second Set. A SBD would be nice and would better reveal the wonderful playing. The AUD takes a while to settle, improving even through the third set. At Tennessee they're really having fun tonight and you can hear it. Listen to the extra bits Jer sticks in Mexicali. The solo careens all over the walls. Althea is up to par by the end, but not up to those from May and June. The rest is aces with Jer getting in one-of-a-kind licks on RxR Blues, and check the drummers on Music Never Stopped. A tight and energetic set.

Third Set. More like the sets from other nights of the series, but still above average. After a potent Samson and a perfunctory Ship, Estimated is dynamic. Bobby bleeds it on the stage, but Jer misses the cue on the return. Terrapin starts shaky but becomes dramatic. There's a fade in Drums, but it's complete. Space is short and the next couple are rendered pretty much stock, but the end is great, with a hot Sugar Mag & Casey Jones.

1st Set:  A
2nd Set: A-
3rd Set: B-
Overall = 4¾ stars

Highlights:
Entire 1st set - may be the best of the series
Feel Like a Stranger - the playing is dialed-in, regardless of iffy sources
Mexicali Blues - all over the walls and lots of extras
Big Railroad Blues - some one-of-a-kind licks
Music Never Stopped - pinned by Billy and Mickey
Samson & Delilah - potent
Sugar Magnolia - the sound of the band smiling
Casey Jones - leaving it all on stage

SOURCES: The best AUD is the cohen_vernon_13140. It has the finest clarity and bass frequencies, though it is pitched slightly fast, needing -1%. Other AUDs are pitched slow or sound like they were from the back of the balcony. All of the first set, except the first song, is on the bonus disc of Reckoning. Althea is a bonus on Go to Heaven.

"This is a tea and toast Grateful Dead show...deliberate and very very nice" - olympiaroad's review

This show was pretty fu&$king great. We get in the city and across the street from radio city we have some food and some very clean windowpane and 3 sets of The Grateful Dead. There is something about Casey Jones encore at 1:30 am and walking around Manhattan so stoned and well anyone else who has ever done this knows what I mean. And we did this often as we could, but it was every city we did this in not just NYC.

oh and sorry forgot my email, yankees2738@aim.com

This was only the second show so the acoustic set was prominent and were they special. Jerry plays well throughout. Nice jam after drums although Sugar Magnolia is so-so. This is a good show. 10/25 and 10/26 are as well. Thanks for this very nice recording.

After reading all the reviews, I have to say I am thankful to hear one of these shows in completion with such good sound for a 1980 audience recording. Great job and thanks for preserving this one through the ages!

Man this is way too cool! I can't wait to chill out with some beers and relive this show. I WAS THERE!! October 23rd. It was a last minute decision, my buddy's brother came home from California with tickets and asked if we wanted to go at like 4:00 in the afternoon. We had to drive from New Haven but we made it. Almost didn't go, glad I did. I have my ticket stub. If anyone wants a .jpg to put on a CD case or something send me an e-mail. sberton@yahoo.com
Al Franken (SNL & now senator) was at this show too. He was all f@cked up and in between the acoustic / electric set walked up this narrow piece of concrete from (stage right) that led up to the first balcony, jumped in the balcony and walked right past us high fivin!! :) Thanks for posting this gr8 music man!!!

I recorded this from orchestra, Row C, Seat 224 which is the 29th row somewhat off center left (facing stage) just under the edge of the mezzanine. Nakamichi CM-700's > Sony TC-D5M (Dolby B). I did the analog to digital conversion using a Tascam 122MKIII (cassette playback) > Tascam DA-40 (DAT record) > Tascam CDRW-700 (CD Burner).

I taped four or five nights of RCMH. The others have not been transferred. I do not think the others are anywhere near this good except perhaps 10/30. Have not listened to that one in years.

I remember it like it was yesterday.

Enjoy

First off, I must agree with "gruUbic", bless you Marc. And thank you for allowing your recording to be posted. Great job, fine sound, nice work with the Nak's and D5 (though you were dancing a little during Stranger, lmao glad you were enjoying!). Awesome audience recording! Your efforts are very much appreciated! Homage to you bro...

Second though, I have to say my peace in this area. It's not the "Boyz" that are trying to stop the SBD's. It's the Greedy "family". Now that their 'cash cow' has passed on, they feel compelled to try and stick it to their loyal and 'extended' family/fans. Bear, Betty and Healy all let at least one taper straight feed to the board. That was a given with the Band. They knew it for 30 years and never complained. Unfortunately this subject is a sore spot with me. You can't live by your laurels for half a lifetime and then suddenly give them up for lent. If they decided to give half the net procedes from the Dick's Picks and other merchandise to some organization or foundation (e.g. Rex Foundation) then I think we'd all be happy. But damned if I'm paying $18.99 for a cd of a show that is/was available for free. It is about the music isn't it? Oh wow I must be in a time warp, lol.

Ok, enough of my bitching...But seriously, let's get REAL people.

Excellent show and run of shows. Great sound, good show, take it while you can!!!

If anyone wants, I remaster many shows and distribute them freely. I will be getting to this show at some point. E-mail me if you're interested.

Peace,
Audiohead22
audiophilehead@hotmail.com

I very much appreciate the reasons why the Boyz do not want us to download soundboards for free...no worries.

This recording is close to perrrrfect audience delightfulocity...thank you, Mark Cohen... Crystal...centered...hissless yumness...but i do gotta say you must've been sweatin near the end of the Ripple - SO CLOSE...and then the tape needed to be flipped...

That's life in the big city
the life of a taper
and I for one very much appreciate your efforts

4+ for an aud tape...
a 5 plus for puttin me in what, the 10th row at RadioCity?

Tan Bueno!

GREAT RECORDING.... MUST D/L

Great songs, acoustics were almost perfect. I'm glad I was a part of the fun.

Very nice ! ...... Radio City place of the Rockette's,They cant kick ass like this though. U can feel the energy through the speakers or better yet........... headphones !
........ Close your eyes and see all the hippies just movin about..... smilin , dancin, singin........,just havin a grate time ..... Oh yea the smell's too..... "down in front " all of the stuff that made for a great experience....... great recording really .... enjoy many many