This was one of those prized tapes that was traded extensively among the scene. A phenomenal, excellent, quality of sound and a great show!

81 was when it all began for me... amazing how back then i'd be begging for a tape of this show..if it was like,more band than crowd..now the clarity blows me away.... makes grown'n old alot harder... the start had a few wtf moments... still, take me back... where the sweet magnolia blossoms

This show contains my favorite Althea. Seems to be slower than any other that I've heard, but I love this version. I had this on cassette back in the day and haven't heard it in about 20 years--well 1993 to be exact when it burned up in a fire. Great show but fantastic Althea in my opinion!!

After hitchhiking from New York to Salt Lake for this show and arriving 2 days early it was awesome. Nobody mentioned Might As Well – I think this was a break-out after putting it away for a few years (3 years ??)… I remember that ol’ feeling NICE might as well….., and the dew … great show. The next night/show (Seattle), they broke out Baby Blue …. I remember texting my friend (now my wife) …. Wait it wasn’t a text, I called for a dime. Would love to find the two guys we met during the days before this show, and the guy from Reading PA that gave us a ride to Seattle.

This site is fantastic. I just discovered it. I have been searching for a recording of this show for a long time. It has, what came to be known among my friends freshman year in college(1985-86,) the quintessential Scarlet>Fire. We all believed it to be the best we had ever heard. While I know many, many great versions are out there, this one will never be topped for me. I am sure that is partly due to the fact that it was one of the first ones I had ever heard over and over. But also because it is just a smoking, hot version. The mix is much better than the ones I have heard over the years. Brent's organ is much less prominent. Not that I don't like his organ, but in other recordings I heard, it almost overpowered Scarlet. This is truly fantastic. Thanks.

pretty average first set selection wise, some stand outs, well played in general

great song selection second set, interesting scarlet fire, nice for 81, estimated and eyes smoke, the spanish space as it were is very interesting i liked it, morning dew is good as well

A ROTTEN shame!

LMAO

que up to about 2:30 in Truckin.

the audience patches are annoying but the performance is a 6 star so this show gets a 5 fo sho!

Because of my age, this time period was one where things got real busy real fast. College was over and it was time to start something and so on. I didn't get to too many shows for a few years; about 1978 through 1985 I saw maybe 4 or 5. Hearing this recording makes me wish I'd gone to a few more. But then I say that about every GD era! What impresses me here is how fine a voice Brent was in the mix. I know he took a raft of shit from a lot of Deadheads, but they are wrong. Brent brought A LOT to GD and it's evidenced on this recording. Brent comps Jer really nice on FOTD. Blessings to all of you out there who I would undoubtedly recognize if we saw each other in person.

I am 37 and have seen hundreds of shows listened to over 1500 shows, 1976-77 is my favourite era except for 1981 they guys were refreshed and recharged by Brents (now solid) contributions and flair. Jack A Roe, St. Of Circumstance-Scarlet-Fire, Estimated-eyes, Morning Dew Spanish Jam am I missing anything WOW!

And for the dolt who thinks this show sounds poor or un-even American Idols back on hurry!

Peace,

NRS

I'm not usually a big Saint fan being an older head (still stuck in the 60's and 70's) but WOW! Garcia was out of his mind here! Plus Bobby screaming " What the F@#$ you gonna do now" during the rip roaring climax of the song. Especially in this very religious right wing town. WOW!

I am hearing this version for the first time
(how did this version fall through the cracks?) and I am just now peeling myself off the floor! WOW! A must listen. I have a new found appreciation for Saint now, especially after hearing this version. Have I mentioned, WOW!

Just an interesting historical comment on this show. The reason this show happened was because a group of friends in SLC got a petition going for the Dead to play Salt Lake. Over 7,000 signitures were collected and the rest is history. What a treat having the Dead play in your back yard instead of having to travel.

The sound is pretty bad, and is inconsistent. The balance is off, as well. For instance, sometimes Bob's guitar is right up front while Jerry can barely be heard. There are aud recordings better than this.
The performance is average for this time period. There are plenty of '81 shows here that are good shows with good sound.

this has long been one of my favorite altheas, if not THE favorite althea. it is laid back, articulate with only minor weaknesses in spots as opposed to outright flubs, and after the last verse, jerry, bob and phil tune this one up to a new level. seriously. it is a sleeper version that deserves "11" on the volume dial to be properly appreciated.

this is a mega show. unfortunately, even the fresh board tapes of this that circulated in the '80s were slightly muddy. of course, this is analog talking, not the digi precision that has spoiled us. i still love it.

Dead appearances in SLC always rock and bring out the best in all involved. Sound seems not quite soundboard, but more like cardboard in places. A tiny bit fast.

Lost Saint deserves mention, too, for being totally rippin', even with the cut during Sailor.
My version of this, which I got DAT>VHS years ago, doesn't have the aud patches BUT the sbd quality is completely amazing. I suspect the circulating version got hosed, somehow, based on the below comments. No noticeable hiss or degradation in my copy, at all.

Three things on this day in 81: I spent the day driving around Salt Lake valley and the canyons in a MG Midget borrowed for the day (first real sports car experiance -> haven't quit since), traded the roadster for the bus at the Salt Palace (the first of _many_ shows), and found out there's only one way to go and that's higher. Okay, so the sound quality is lacking - tell me it's not better than the 3rd gen cassette of this show that you traded a quart of organic carrot juice for; I didn't think so. GSET and Fire are some of the best of the era, but I'm biased.

how any one can say this sounds great...
beyond me
this soundboard sounds like...
crap
i'll give a "great show"
but the sound...BAH!!!

Jerry's turns on Fire are absolutely out of this world. Ridiculous runs and copious amounts of feedback. Unbelieveable. The rest of the show is awesome too. Grate Dew! Though the sound quality kind of falters. Starts off as a decent AUD and cuts to A+ SBD during a heavenly FOTD. The Jack A Roe is GOLD. The band is super tight. This is just another day at the office for the Grateful Dead and another blowout. Sound Quality is unreal. Estimated is AUD.

Great show overall,highlights for me:Scarlet>Fire>Estimated.Jerry was truly inspired and supported beautifully by the band members and visa versa. "don't worry 'bout it..." D/L now.

This one has a special place in my heart as it was the first show I ever traveled to and REALLY experianced. The old Salt Palace was like a space ship inside, and I was so blown away that I ended up on the bus and my life was never the same again. I am delighted to find such a great copy.

Very good somehow I always thought this was a little better however. Fire is when it starts picking up steam and Est > eyes is really hot... Dew which was a rarity in '81 was a nice treat and agree with the althea being hot + FOTD++

BEST ALTHEA EVER...

Bobby in Truckin: "ever since she went and had a sex change, all a friend can say is 'ain't it a shame.'"

I intended to revise my Las Vegas review and stupidly submitted it here instead, sorry !

Awesome , first set is a little weak. C.C.rider is cool , but ,the entire 2nd set rocks! Maybe the best Scarlet->Fire I have ever heard.Est->Eyes->Brent&Drums is great! can't say enough about this show.