obviously not a soundboard source, tons of audience through the mics.

Go straight to the "Dupree's". Jerry gets in a few great lines, aims for high notes, solos like it's a 1980 JGB show, etc.

If you like that, skip back to "Cold Rain and Snow", which is also quite solid.

The rest of this show is pleasant, but not overwhelmingly impressive. Throughout the year of 1988, the band was consistent and taut, but not overly adventurous....

I sang a little while and then flew on.

What happened to the Victim?! Drops off right before the jam as if they had equipment problems. Foolish is also kind of short. Anyone who was there know why?

So, it's the penultimate gig at MSG!

Reading some of the other reviews, I was expecting a relatively mailed-in performance. But to my ears, that's not the case at all here. The show starts strong with a fun "Let the Good Times Roll," with Brett in particular really delivering the goods. From there, we get a solid "Hell in a Bucket", which shows the band really firing on all cylinders.

From here, things settle in a bit. While it's true, Jerry's not reaching to throw in a lot of extraneous riffing, I would characterize this performance as "relaxed" or "settled" rather than "lazy." I mean, at this point, the band is gearing up for the end of a long run of shows, so it's forgivable if they don't seem to be bouncing off the walls during this performance.

Finally, the set list is a solid mix of new and vintage GD. Anyone who's going to complain about getting a "Dupree's", a TOO and a Sugar Mags all in one night really needs to get a grip.

Highly recommended and certainly better than a couple other recordings from this run.

good quality sound on this. my first show. decent, but not great, as most of the other reviews said. US Blues was great for a first encore for me, Bobby says they always like to play it on Bobby's birthday, they got into it.
i star any good recording high, every show is worth a listen if you like the setlist, even if only to compare it to a better version- loading up a 4 star show with terrible sound is very disappointing.

Though not much on paper, this show is very good, not a smoker, but well-done and solid.

This is probably the worst beginning of a Dead show I’ve ever heard. Everybody in the band seems disinterested and tired. Jerry and Bob are extremely week on guitars throughout all the way through Dupree’s Diamond Blues, not a single excellent lick. Although, Jerry sounds fairly effective on Dupree’s and Bob’s background guitar is pretty effective. But the song is played in a post-disco era bounce sounds decent but misses the early ‘70s feel that the songs emerged from the 1920s Jazz period. Bob comes in early on lyrics on Walking Blues, Jerry’s timing on lyrics is imprecise on Loser. Bob doesn’t quite hits of the notes on Promised Land. Phil does walking baselines with hardly any embellishments, and drums are doing backup and keeping up rather than painting touches. And Brent, well by this point his drug habit is impeding his playing ability. Anyway the problems with this show go on and on, and I won’t belabor the point. Drums starts out strongly, but ends electronically, which I think is a problem for almost all drums of the mid-1980s, but that’s just a preference. The space I can live without.

The upside is Bob sounds energetic through about half of Stuck Inside a Mobile, but backup chorals are strained. Sampson and Delilah is nothing short of good. All of a sudden Ship of Fools comes up, which is well sung but somewhat mechanical. It’s almost like the boys had been warming up with the material before here....Foolish Heart, yeah now we’ve got a groove, but Jerry’s voice, shaky and not what it used to be, but at least his fingers have warmed up and he’s certainly expressive with his lead and Phil is embellishing well. By the time you get to Sugar Magnolia, I wish I had been in the audience, and on U.S. Blues I’d be dancing and in a trance.

Overall show for 1988 was average. The songs that stood out for me LTGTR, Loser, Samson & Delilah, Ship of Fools, I will take you Home, and Stella Blue. Bob forgot the verse in Promise land what a brain fart that was funny. Sound quality good. No mind expanding jams, oh well.

One quick note from this show. Brent's daughters came out during Take You Home and sat next to him as he played. Very special moment indeed.

1st Set: Well, by the eighth night we're basically guaranteed all repeats, but that's not necessarily a bad thing as a friendly, light "LTGTR" proves. "Hell"'s an up and down affair filled with loads of off-kilter, offbeat moments. The crowd loves the "Cold Rain" selection. Starts off shaky with overactive drumming but picks up steam in the last minute. Totally felt the "Walkin" comin. Once they find equal footing, it's quite effective - smoke from the soles. Though I'm being incredibly lazy, "Loser" is not all that affecting...standard. Maybe the high-pitched anticpatory energy works against the song's messages. "Memphis Blues" is a tad tepid, but certainly not a lot worse than any other option. No roar for "Dupree's;" maybe they're not that familiar. No matter cause it's a bit flat. Besides Bobby forgetting most of the second verse, "Promised" nicely finishes off the set.

2nd Set: Again, it's very odd that both the sound and the playing becomes more full-bodied and electrifying as the, at first stolid, tune - in this case "Samson" - progresses. I'm not sure how this contrasts with the one a week ago though from other reviews, it looks like unfavorably. This "Ship" is a fave because of Jerry's clarity and sincerity captaining the vessel. Desperate but not overly straining himself. Frankly, it's probably not overwhelmingly better than others. Anyways, it's time to get demented and beat yourself up. Phil's thumping line is adding an unwanted thereby compelling spotlight on the individual's doom/gloom. Does anyone else agree that Robert Smith wishes he could have placed it on 'Pornography?' Along with Jerry's masterly control over the lyrics, Phil's urgent work is hilighted in this keen poignant mix of "Foolish." A keyboard and percussive jam lead us into "Drums" which is a menacing hunt through the forest for an unfairly maligned plebe. She's captured and given a mind-altering substance which only increases the horror for the waters-on. ("Space") Completely used and abused her saving grace is from her captured father, Brent, assuring her that he'll rescue her soon and "Take her Home." Uh oh...those brutish beasts have returned...yes you've been invaded but it's time to use your wits and escape their wrath. Despite still feeling the effects of the drogas, (hyperspace, "TOO") you have eluded your captors and are hiding safely atop a redwood, nestled in a cozy branch. Combine your collective atrocities against your innocence along with your new found solitary ='s "Stella." (Direct and short) However, the corner of your eye miraculously catches spires from an approaching nautical vehicle. It's Daddy and he's here to wipe out all of the baddies. Your glee can barely be contained. (an infectious "Sugar") You'll survive...

"We always like to play this tune on Billy's birthday." Why? can't tell ya... but "US Blues" Vigorous save for Jerry's voice, and slideriific.

3 2/5ths

over all great show. sound qual is not as good as 9-16-88. duprees is a great touch. good times cuts at 1 min 7 sec. other than that, another classic NYC show. a must have for a true fan. 4 stars for sound quality.