My first year out of college. Got a good job and made my way out to Oakland. Was there the previous year as well from the Midwest. Last time we drive out. Now we could afford plane tickets.
Saw the 29th and 31st. Stood in line that winded down the parking lot at the coliseum. 9:30 or 10 and we waitedMaking friends where and when we could.
Debated. Jerry's side? Phil's side? Better chance at getting closer to Phil. Line of sight. All that over thinking. Got in and initially got to the equivalent of three or four rows deep.
Me and my buddy just hung out. Taking real estate inch by inch but not being intrusive or a dick about it.
My first experience with X. Had its precursor MDA and the other three lettered monster. A couple of girls had already invested the time. She was so into my left arm as we talked.
Anyway. Bertha--> Promised Land was smoking hot. They loved playing Cold Rain and Snow on the west coast. Those songs were so hot and remain so.
So close I could even see Jerrys pack of Merit Ultra Lights.
Terrapin!!!

This, the first posted recording of this on the archive is also the best one to date. I couldn't get into this show. Some friends tried hilariously to break in by staying in over the previous night and the next day. They almost got away with it by hiding in these big beams up in the ceiling, and then got caught by celebrating too soon when they thought they were in the clear. Dumb asses.

The first and third show of the run were way better, but it says a lot that they were able to do a New Year show well enough in '87 to make a product out of it, and it's a great movie to introduce people to the later-era Dead.

This TERRAPIN is about as hot and fired up as Terrapins ever get. Jerry rips through time and space on the jam leading into drumz. Worth the DL for the Terrapin alone.

Think the Neville Brothers opened for them this night as a rich addition to the energy of this night . Nice warm-up band ...hehe

This is one of the greatest Aiko's EVER! For those of you that have seen the video you know what I'm talking about. It's rare to see Jerry so animated, he's dancing all over the place, glancing over at Art Neville on the keys and smilin', smilin', smilin! God I love the Grateful Dead! I'm listening to this at work and can't wait to go home so I can watch my video! Miss ya Jer!

I also remember laying back in a buddy's dorm room at Penn State smokin' the chronic and hearing this show broadcast. I think that deadheads all over the country were freakin' out. I personally feel that the video of this show detracts from the awesome sound and energy. Excellent sound quality on this recording. If you dont have this show. Download it now. Don't wait.

Always thought this was overrated. stayed up until 5:30 on the east coast to hear the whole thing. Not horrible, but not as great as most say. i am deffinately in the minority on this. the UJB is a mess. I prefer 88 New years which is not held in as high regard. oh well. 3 stars for kesey calling danny Ainge " one mean Mormon" on the PPV broadcast

yes i love the high energy in this show also great new years show

I taped this this off of the radio and played it constantly while I was in college in the late 1980's. Unfortunately, the thieves who broke into my car in and around that time stole this and about 20 other dead tapes. So I was thrilled to have found this show once again. The sound of this show is very good and the playing is quite tasty. I especially love Masterpiece with Brent singing his lungs out. The encore -- Banana Boat and Do You Wanna Dance -- is also pretty groovy.

I live in VA and it was hard in school to get out for New Years, but it was being simocast on XL102FM. MY friend Clark and I stayed up all night drinking Whiskey and listening to what the boys we doing 3500 miles away. It was awesome because we never got shows on radio here.
The First set on paper looks average but was played with real emotion, espically the Bertha, Cold Rain & Snow opening segment. Brents leads on Rooster are jammin. Birdsong was real nice. Music to close was very good.
Second set was well played and tight.
A real solid NYE show if you ask me.
Quality is good to. As archive does, it really brings back the memories. Kudos!

I think this is Pre-FM. Its much richer than any SBD I'. I had a tape of this show and it sounded exactly the same. I really love the energy of this show. If you need a reason to dl this other than the great sound quality, try the encore w/ the Nevilles. Great stuff.