The reason I love this recording is because it picks up lots of audience noise, cheers, claps, conversation, and sounds similar to a concert, almost replicating what it's like to go to a show. For this reason, I give it five stars. That said, if you are looking for the music to come in loud and clear, I would give it three stars, due to the audience noise.

Taping in 1980 and earlier was not easy and especially in a venue like RCMH so any tape out of there is a blessing, and of course any audience tape will have the noisy fan that can intrude on a peak in a jam at any given moment... (I taped for years so I know what it was like pre-taper section and post) that being said... THIS IS A GREAT SHOW! 26 songs...say no more... and not only that but solid versions, good energy.

I give it three stars but only because I am a picky mofo but I give the taper responsible for pulling it off thanks greater than any rating system can express.

I was a freshman at Ithaca College and I became good friends with Evan from White Plains...we got tickets, 1th row center, $40, man, that was a lot of dough for a struggling college student...Evan and I set out that day, exited about opening night, smoked a little in his Fiat Spider, picked up a guy in an Uncle Sam suit on the way into the city...he has some liquid in a Visine bottle, offered it as compensation for the ride...we drove into the City, I remember that liquid hitting my eyeball, OMFG, I was tripping from the time it hit...we drove into the city, parked, and walked to Radio City...it was still light, and Evan was hunger as he dosed went we parked...there was a Burger King across the street/near to Radio City...we stood in line for a long time, I was tripping my face off, I wasn't hungry, suddenly, I was at the head of the line, the girl was saying, "Whatchu want?", people were pissed, I didn't care, I told Evan I'd be outside...I walked outside, there was a bum who had stashed a bunch of stuff some Dead Heads had given him, tee shirts, bumper stickers, he was telling me, you people are nice, you give me things, I was absolutely tripping more than I ever had...at some point, Evan found me and we went to the doors...we waited a few minutes and they opened the doors...I remember the shag carpet in the lobby was so thick I had to wade through it, and the chandlers were hanging down so low that I had to duck between them...we got to our seats and Bill Graham came out and talked about how this was dream for the Dead to play Radio City and how we should all respect that...

When the boys came out and played the first set, I could see the notes come off of Jerry's guitar as he played them...he rocked back and forth, and the golden notes just floated into the ceiling...

Seriously, after a 120+ shows, opening night at Radio City is the one I really treasure...

I love this show, both the acoustic and the electric. Classic Dead concert. And I'm ok with this being an audience recording and not great quality. Totally fine and accept that

BUT...
How can this get 5 stars? 5 Stars means one would be hard pressed to find a better concert from both a playing AND recording perspective.

Come on people. I love the Dead too but it screws up the real rating of shows and wastes people's time to ping all Dead concerts with 5's.

It was me in the first row of the balcony clapping through the show, and whoo-hooing. Please accept my deepest apologies for getting in the way of a great recording.

Several people recording were sitting next to me, the closest with a pair of microphones pointing out into the audience. This sounds like that recording. Others had lines off of the mixing board, which was right behind us, and some had hand-held mikes.

At some point, I realized that this was a sanctioned recording system and quieted down.

What a world. Time has flown, and will.

Dave the Rave

Thank you Sugar23ee. I appreciate the affirmation regarding people's opinions and comments regarding the shows (all posted shows). It does stick in my side that people actually have the audacity to complain about something that is free! Aren't there enough things in this world to worry and complain about that cost you more than just your time? I am an audiophile by nature with a discriminating ear. But no way in hell would I ever look a gifthorse regarding free music, and esp. Dead shows. I'd give my left nut to be able to see one more "bad" show, and yes I saw a few that weren't the best. But as the old saying goes - There's nothing like a Dead show!

Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! And stop the whinning you spoiled brats!

Anyone who wants this or any other show that cannot download or wants a remaster copy, feel free to e-mail me.

Peace,
Audiohead22
audiophilehead@hotmail.com

Dire Wolf, well what can I say except that it put a smile on my face and brought a tear to my eye. For those of you who are extremely critical regarding sound quality read "audiohead's" comment. Listen to the show for what it was, not the way you think it should be. These shows were great, and I have been to many, many, many, of them between 1976 and 1995.

I was 15 years and about 4 shows into my dead life, and I must admit that this show was great for the first acoustic sets since the sixties and those 2 hits of blotter I took. That was the strongest I have Ever taken-thanks to the 2 guys I got it from they told me "good luck and tell me your not flying in a half hr." I was and did not stop. Holy shit and hold on was the theme for this show. Good times and if I can remember the Scarlet/Fire transion was pretty hot.

This is a very good low gen audience however YOU HEAR EVERYTHING - BE FOREWARNED. Even though the sound is crisp they are moving the mikes once a song and this is real guerrila taping and tough to listen to. This is only for listening to if you went to the show and cannot get another copy.

I went to Radio City and can tell you first hand these are underrated shows that do not get any love - The setting was awesome and they projected all of these slides from their career in the background while they played which explains the cheers all of the sudden, all of this in a barnyard type setting

some of you don't like that 'in the show feeling'
but I LOVE IT and this one puts you right there
just close your eyes and poof there they are
and ripple oh man gets me every time