The second of two nights of feelin' the Byrne. Most people felt this was the better of the two nights, and I tend to agree, even if it was shorter and the after space part not so great. After a strong first set highlighted by Stranger and Cassidy, the second set starts with one of a handful of 80's Dancin's done in the old Mo-town style rather than the 70's disco versions. In my altered state at the time, it seemed longer than 7:37, perhaps because it's packed with good play. Then comes A Touch of Gray in the fast and loose pre-In the Dark style, followed by the sublimnity mentioned in this review's title. A smoother, sweeter transition from Playin' into Uncle John's I defy anyone to find. It's a nicely jammed, long UJB with a brief look back into Playin' before transitioning into a wonderful China Doll, which dissolves into an intense jam in itself. The ending felt a bit rushed, but with some heat in Throwin' Stones -- this is about the time they introduced the structured jam in A major that continues to this day as opposed to the looser jams of 82-83.

Can't add much to what was already said. Phenomenal audience recording that brings me back to that night of magic. No argument that this was my favorite STRANGER with a magical groove allowing Gar's magic fingers to dance all over the fretboard. But what about the UNCLE JOHN'S BAND!! Wow! I remember being totally mesmerized watching Gar's sick fretwork on this gem of a tune and the recording brings it all back home. Truly a night of musical magic and so grateful to have been there.

5 Stars for sound very very nice worth the download no question. Nice Mid 80's Jersey night Band is ON...Gone are the Days.. Thank God for Archive and Charlie Miller.

Brent goodness with Healy effects...sounds like a UFO taking off. Just one of the many highlights of this smoker of a show. I agree, this is the definitive recording, too. One of my favorite tapes from when I first started collecting almost 30 years ago.

It doesn't get better than this 1984 show. It starts on a party note with a funky Stranger, and as others have noted, it is one of their best versions. The Big RR Blues will have you dancing with a grin on. A better than average Throwing Stones to the inevitable NFA, this being the mid 80s. The Baby Blue encore is poignant, and Jerry milks the emotion from the song with every note he plays and sings - one of the overlooked joys of later Dead shows. There are no train wrecks with this show and Jerry is still in good form aside from hoarse singing. The sound quality is phenomenal, better than soundboard because it sounds more realistic. Jerry's guitar shines, Phil lets loose some rafter-shaking bass bombs and colors the music with his loose, free playing style. I missed this show but caught a Hartford show from the same tour.

This is a clear, up-front aud recording that lets a really sweet show shine through. They just sound like they are all drinking out of the same well on this night. Love it.

What I remember about this show is afterwards driving around Manhatten at 2 in the morning getting flashed by hookers on the side of the road driving down cobblestone backstreets. This was my first trip to the big apple and it was our only chance to see it. We were pretty scared not knowing where we were going. Anyway it all worked out ok. I don't remember the show being all that great. About this time I think Jerry was pretty heavy into smoking the black stuff.

I had split parents, so at this time I was able to hit the Ventura California shows during the Summer near moms and amazingly hit the NJ show in the fall while staying at my dads.

I cannot believe I was seeing this kind of stuff at 14 years of age, but these were some of the best times of my life.

This show felt like a huge dance club. Everybody bopin, hanging over the balconies in silhowette. Dancing in the streets, had a super hero type of melody to it. "Felix The Stranger", (as jersey heads call it) like others have said - has to be one of the best from this era. Candyman was so clean and crisp, no one stopped dancing the enire night.

Thanks to the Meanch bros of Providence NJ for turning me on to the Greatest Garage band this world will ever know. What a way to turn 14 years of age. I remember the next morning, back at school (9th grade) and seeing how "strange" all the normal preppie kids really were.

Just like a STRANGER, STRANGER, STRANGER, (that neat echoe the band played with in 84) was still bouncing off the walls of the school.

Most memorable moment was dancing in the nose bleed section, we took turns playing bongos on top of each others backs and amazingly skeleton fingers and hands would magically appear when we would focus on the percussive movement that our hands were making. We did it several times, as if proving a mythology.

I still believe the dead has a very special sound, that is very unique when in around NJ and the surrounding areas. Its something to do with the woods, or maybe it's because it's in these same type of woods The Grateful Dead was first revealed to me.

It just doesn't get any better. Man I had been to the circus and had seen the elephant and I was still barley turining 14 years old.

Can you imagine, Steve and George Meanch's mom picked us up in a station wagon after the show.

I'm one very Grateful Man for having found this Archieve. Check it out, it's well worth it!!!!!!

Best things in life really are free.

Brian McCartie my Spirit Warrior Brother...... RIP

should be listed China Doll>Jam per Dead Base one of 2 in 1984. The first is this one and the second one is 11-3 Do It In The Road>Jam>Drums. (smokin').This one seems par for the coarse esp. when it when it comes to China Doll's into Drums. Your gonna get a little outro jam. Brent does a little trippy synth at the end. I guess it takes on a different direction but it fizzles out before it starts. Jerry's mind is already persian bound back stage.
I also noticed for '83, Dead Base shows about 5 nights with songs titled jam. Iam on a mission.

nice aud ****

This gets five because the other copy has em and this sounds a whole lot better. Softer on the high end and crisper with higher levels. Very sharp AUD. Thanks to Aizen for the choice.

It is a WONDERFUL audience tape, and the songs are very strong. What an underrated gem. I am glad to have found it via Strats reference to the Stranger from this night

another trippy show from 84 great sound especially for an aud, great dancin

This is some of the most high-powered post-69 GD out there (especially set I). I agree with the previous review...set I is a must download for any 84 fan...ok set II as well...

Update (10 days after 1st review written): I can not get this show out of my CD player. BEST "STRANGER" EVER??? I am updating from 4 to 5 stars. Download NOW!!!

This is the essential recording of this show. The "mouth of the dragon" c. beach recordings are nice but neglect the contributions of Brentski. This front of board is so dandy that you can here Lesh looping around the delicious tiger axe leads from Garces. POwer house show too.....lots of speedballing from Garcia and it is clear that Lesh and Brent are highly intoxicated as well. Nice pre-drums jam session and a contemplative Baby Blue Encore....first set should be dubbed down to analog for any '84 head. Peace