Always liked this one. I give a 4 star rating if it were audience.

Is there a way to listed to this without a skip between songs?

I only saw 8 Kaiser shows, but for indoors this was the place to see the boys. The Stranger really stood out this night. I don't know if its because it was the first post coma version, but Jer's guitar work and back up vocals are super strong and fresh. IMO, Stranger's were always better anywhere but to open a show. Check this one out!! The Dew is also a monster

one of my favorite morning dews. having ben to alot of shows and an awful lot of morning dews over the years this along with the hampton 84 dew stand out in my mind as 2 of the better versions. reason being i like the scratchy almost crying lyrics jerry pulls off on those versions. however the dew is far and above my favorite song . sad thing is it may just come true someday. amazing that the song is wrote in the 50's about the nuclear bomb and the aftermath of it. ( 'sorry but my spelling sucks' maybe even my history as to exactly when wrote. )

this venue was for the family. I finally made it to the last shows they played there in 1989. After years of my cousins and my brother talking about The Kaiser in beautiful Cali. I finally made it out there and I agreed with everything I heard the moment I arrived-love at first site.. I flew out by myself from Chicago to LA where my Aunt and Uncle live. My 2 cousins both older had been hitting The Dead and JGB shows up and down the coast for years. There first was in Long Beach 1981. They sent us pictures and tapes from Ventura every year they went circa 82,83,84 and by 85 my brother couldn't take it and made it to the Sept.'85 Kaiser shows and this 87 Garcia return run. It was like a right of passage for my brother and I to make it to the Kaiser. It was like making it to the Summit.
I was bummed I coudn't go, I was to young still in junior high. My brother and his friend visited my Aunt & Uncle then went to the shows with our cousin's and there friends. One of his favorite Dead experience's of his life and He would tell you musically it wasn't the hottest shows he had ever seen. I actually really like those 2 shows and the 9.11.85 show would of been a birthday show for me. I share the same B-day as Mickey. So for years burnin' kind bud my friends and I would listen to my brother raving about the scene at the Kaiser. Trying to describe a real kind Haight type of atmoshere. As you mentioned Rainbow They were calling it the Winterland of the 80's.
So anyway I finally made it to the last shows they played at the Kaiser in 1989 not knowing that was going to be be the case. The lot inside and out was busting at the seems and I kept thinking what a crazy pschedelic carnival.I remember talking to my cousin Chris at the time and saying "man you and your brother had been coming here for years"..? I can't believe how beatiful this is can you? He would laugh and say bro I know I've been all over U.S. to indoor and outdoor venues. This place is "for the family".
At the time I had seen the Dead at Alpine in [88]
but I didn't pick up on that reference. I thought he ment the fact that we were related.
Anyway I mentioned The Dead was coming to Alpine Valley this Summer[89]. He had never been but was dying to get there one year. He said that was a done deal and thats all we talked about while we were dosing on some real clean liquid.
I remember when we were at Alpine He saying that it was Disney World for Dead Heads with the biggest illegal smile. We were so happy to hanging together on the '89 tour again. At possibly 2 of the top 10 best in and outdoor venues in Dead history.
Recently we talked on the phone and We were both glad we each got a chance to catch them at these 2 killer venues on there final stops.

Sorry so long, big time memory lane. As soon as I read Rainbow Brother saying He loved going to the Kaiser, memories came rushing. A lifetime worth.

I caught a lot of California shows in '87 (36 to be exact) and this one ranks as one of my favs. It must have been doses? The stranger 1st set closer just wails - Everyone has their own favorite shows for their own indiosyncratic reasons, and that is fine, but the "Stranger" features Garcia ripping as hard as I have ever heard. The stranger is a must listen, I would rate it as one the most unique and best I have heard.

UPDATE: 08/05
One star? I'll admit bias in my review, but one star is way off the mark. I was there and it was no one star show. Admitedly, when I listen to the show I also recall how great it was seeing any and every show at the Kaiser. It was one of the best venues in the country to see them play. For those who haven't been, it was similar to Winterland. Speakers were placed in the hallways for those who just wanted to groove. And groove we did. The walls of the halls would sweat it was so hot and frenetic. I lived up in the Oakland hills and going to "Rubber Room," (what my peers and I called the Kaiser) was a frequent occurence in 1987. As far as this show, I think the China-Rider was energetic although Jerry's voice is raspy. The best ever? Naw. I think the Dew and the Bird Song definitely stand out. If you only listen to one song though, I recommend the Stranger. It rocks. It's tight, energetic and Jerry winds the band up over and over. I've seen stadium shows in front of 65,000+ people and venues like the Kaiser which holds 8,000. I just enjoy the way the band plays in smaller more intimate settings. But hey, if you want the best show they ever played, don't listen to me, because I won't be the one telling you to download 5-8-77.

1st: "Jack" feels rushed. "Althea"- got a nice groove going-decent Bobby slide, but the proceedings remain subdued with a "CC." "Bird" is a good call due to the laid-back feel to the show so far...This version fits the show well, kinda dreamy and spacey. Awkward start to "BIODTL," lightweight version. "Ramble"- fine, but nothing memorable. "Stranger" Everyone gets lost, and it's tiring how dull this dazed affair is.

2nd: The attempt is placed out there with the song choices China/Rider/Man Smart... Unfortunately there's a certain energy missing. It's all too casual. "Ship"'s not bad actually...Jerry appears to have a greater interest in singing the ballads than the rockers. Also, there's life to be found in "Estimated" Unfortunately they should have gone straight to Drums as tonight's not the night they can transform from Estimated's complicated arrangement to the smooth glide of Eyes. (there is some nice stand-alone Jerry guitar work...his voice is another story) Drums and Space segues nicely into "Truckin" which slips and slides effortlessly. "Dew"'s passionately read tho G's guitar is not as searing as 3/27.

The "Johnny" is energetic and eager tho G's not blazing as was 3/27. W appears determined to shread his vocal chords...,sometimes it sounds as if there's an alien lifeform emitting sounds from his vocal chords...This is one of those occurances.

Closer to 2 1/2 than three stars.

With all due respect, this was a GREAT show to be at, loose or not. And part of what I love about the Dead is they didn't HAVE to be tight to produce magic. This was a monster show to be at.

Bird Song and Stranger were standouts. The Dew was a monster live, though I will admit it doens't give the same effect on tape, but the JGB was RIPPIN'! And that comes through just fine. Jerry was rockin' back and forth and just rippin'!

With all due respect, the recording quality may be the only salvageable respect for this show. CA shows later in the year were much tighter and memorable. The only memorable thing here is that Bobby - once again- can't carry any of his tunes and the jams are loose and sloppy- ie Estimated. Where are all of Jerry's whips and sharp turns and the lead in at Dew - well you be realistic. Evewryone has their own taste, but I consider myself discerning and wouldn't recommend this show for any other reason than to have an exceptional recording.

C

This is a great show and a very nice soundboard. Kudos to the mystery recordist.
The 1st set has a few rough spots but has a great Bird Song and a nice Stranger.
The 2nd set is real hot. The drums->jam->Truckin' is reason enough for the download.
I caught night one and night three of this run. Wish I had seen this one as well. It's a sweet show.