Big Railroad Blues is enigma. Almost gets worn out in 1971 and 1972. Dwindles to nothing by 1974. Makes a cameo at the last Keith and Donna. Gets played, just enough to not be unusual throughout the 80's and then slips out of consciousness, more or less, in the 90's.

I find these kind of patterns fascinating. What drives them? Is it, as Bobby says innumerable times, that they just forgot the song? Do individual songs offer opportunities for exploration that suit where the band is going for certain periods of time? Or is there a pattern of play - a musical narrative into which a particular song fits and when the narrative changes, the inspiration to play it goes away?

The band was super tight and pretty much flawless. Every song would have made it on a record if done in the studio. The Playin' into UJB has some out there jamming like no other I've heard from them. Thee weak link for me is the OMSN encore. A different song like Casey Jones would have been perfect, as it was obvious that it was snowing hard that night. 4/13/85 and 4/19/87 Irvine aren't too shabby either. Give them a whirl also.

And agree with Augy, that Spanish Jam is phenomenal!

My first show that my Brother had brought me too. I was standing across opposite Phil's bass stack and during Feel Like a Stranger, his bass amp(s) was just buzzing or something right into me!! Pretty funny but definitely felt a few of his power cords that first song of the show. I went to a bunch more shows after!!! Thanks tapers!!!

Probably the "meltiest" 2nd set I've heard. Bob's playing is as far out there in the pudding as it gets- wild stuff! Too bad the playlist is on the short side. Playin-Uncle John's is as close to a dream as it gets;-')

If not the best, certainly one of the better Irvine shows. And besides early versions like for example 1968-2-14 or New Jersey Roosevelt Stadium in '74 this here at Irvine is probably the greatest "Spanish Theme" ever at least that I've heard! I use it on my answering machine but some people in the past thought it was to long, oh well. So now I've shortened it!

Augy
San Diego

Yep, this was my first dead show, one of many. Such a positive trip brothers and sisters! Tonight is my fortieth birthday, and somehow I stumbled here. WOW. My last show was in Vegas in 93. Now I am living in Lafayette, Louisiana. You just can't underestimate how deep and hardcore our friends in the Grateful Dead have touched our lives.

Yes, I was there and this is bringing back great memories of that SW tour. It was Vegas the night before and most of us were recovering from that great show. This is a pretty decent taper session. Bobby sounds alittle off but otherwise not bad quality.

Set 1 a smoker with a mean Stranger to open and a killer Althea. I like this show, back in the tape trading days I enjoyed this show with a lot of spring '84.
Set 2 is so sick nice transitions out there but tightly played.
playin'>Uncle>drums>Spanish>Other one>Wharf Rat
and I like the Sat. Encore fav slot for that song.

awesome sound *****
show ****
If your a fan of the good 84 stuff check out the Philly run this spring.

Slayed in Ca. This second set is up there in the statosphere, each tune builds playin, ujb very cool drums ending with a crazy poly rhythmic jam
{check this out with headphones}, spanish theme.
This must have truly been a unique gd experience
While I have much respect for cheyler's reviews I must say I have enjoyed this very much. I do hear plenty of healy's general gd weirdness !

I hear it too, but the second set sounds clean to me.

aside from the warble, this is a very nice sounding SBD.

check out the bass plunges in Althea
fantastic Playin, Other One the drummers are playing a very punchy show.

good show...I like it

robert

The sound makes this a show that cannot be enjoyed at least by me. What a great release this would be if they had a clean copy in the vault.

The sound quality is a 3.5 or so but the real problem is the tape warble throughout the entire show, every track. The pitch wavers and wobbles and instruments go out of tune and back in again. It is truly unlistenable, which is unfortunate because it is an excellent show. I'd report this as a problem but I'm sure the problem is with the uploaded files. Damn.

Althea good NFA CC Rider but pretty generic stuff in a listless year. I have no doubt this was a fun show to be at but even 4 is charitable.

This was my first Irvine show. I went solo cause I had recently moved to Long Beach from the east coast. I remember being the only one I could see taping it. Irvine is a strange oasis in the middle of Orange County. It has been host to quite a few shows that were memorable. This show was hot & as I was leaving a person handed me a flyer for an after show party in Newport Beach, so I went. I was an instant hit when I walked in with masters from the show that everyone was just at. I made a lot of friends that night. That show still brings shivers to me when I listen to it.