Tinny sound, over-saturated in a lot of places, poor stereo image, unpatched cuts, and taper decided to pause during Drums > Space. Viewcounts inflated due to being a "featured show" at some point, but there's many, many better sources of tonight's show.

stay away from this source, lots of random cuts like in NFA and Lovelight

It also is oversaturated, go with the Suraci copy, it seems to be the best

Who ever says jerry played from a stool is way off that never happen in 84 last time was in 80 during the amazing run at warfield and radio city shows along with the 2 in new orleans

I was here & it was an AMAZING show! There was a cooment that they turned the houselight off at the beginning of Lovelight....somewhat true, they turned the houselight ON. The show started late and ran past the "curfew". At the end of Not Fade all the houselights came ON & Jerry had already started Lovelight which they finished with no encore. It was so weird after a full smoking show like this to see the Lovelight with all the house lights on but THE MUSIC NEVER STOPPED!

Anyone know why the Dead seemed to nearly always play "Alabama" in Hartford?

Outside of the three years they overplayed it (1979, 1980, 1981 and 1982 if you're being picky), it breaks down like this -

1983: it was only played 10 times, one was in Hartford (10%)
1984: it was only played 8 times, one was in Hartford (12.5%)
1987: it was only played three times, one was in Hartford (33%)
1988: it was only played three times, one was in Hartford (33%)

Out of the 17 shows the Grateful Dead played in Hartford in the years after they introduced the song, they played "Alabama Getaway" SIX times (35%) there. That seems disproportionately greater than at any other venue - Especially in the later years when the song wasn't being played much anywhere.

Can't figure it out, but I haven't done any research into other venues.

"I wish I was a headlight on a northbound train.....Oh to be able to set the time machine and go back......

Easy to see why I went back again and again (and again, etc.). A lot of converts in the neighborhood after that fine autumn eveing in Hahtfahd. The scene was still somewhat welcomed (or ignored) at this point and tent cities on the lawn in from of the State Capitol were not unsual. Romed around the old Civic Center when I was in this dead hulk of a city a few months back to try and pick up some of the old vibes. Vibes there- but little else. Sad.

The Grateful Dead are so roccoco in the fall of 1984. Every tune is given an electrically gilded treatment of ornate filigris of notes (10-9-84's Jack Straw)and over the top coda, (the ensuing "He's Gone" as well as the "Shakedown Street" from the final show of the tour).

Tonight's show is over the top in terms of both its setlist and the length of the show, though it takes them till about Row Jimmy to really gel. The sound is wierd in the beginning of the first set too; something the matter with their p.a., it seems. The show opens with Bob serenading the crowd with some solo guitar while technical problems are apparently tackled but not resolved.

Hartford was pretty quirky in the sound quality department. It was a steep, square arena; in the upper levels, (which really went up high), the sound was distant and tinny. Phil could sound wonderful in some places, as if he was playing an accoustic bass. In general the band sounded somewhat weak and distant at Hartford Civic Center.

By virtue of Dan Healy's shenanegins, (and whatever drugs he was on at the show), this increasingly becomeas a Grateful Dead meets Butthole Surfers experience. It's as if Gibby Haynes has replaced Dan Healy for the second set and is adding demonic distortions to Bob's voice while simultaneously lighting cymbals on fire.

The wierdness complements yet another visitation of the 60's Grateful Dead to a fall 84 show. This is a very "60's"-inspired tour when you think about it. It's as if they were collectively experiencing nostalgia this tour with the return of the pigpen blues songs, the brief Caution jam from 10-8, the "Dancin' in the Streets" breakout and the return of "Lovelight" to the regular rotation. Tonight's primal moment is the NFA>Lovelight that is truly a jam of the old school-they clearly do not know where they are going to end up, (i.e., it seems like they're collectively trying to decide whether or not to stop and come back for the encore; the result is a nice, loose transition into Lovelight.

A heavy show, a challenging show. The first set must have worn people out! I hope they had a nice, relaxing break, (but knowing Hartford Security at the time, I doubt it.)

Big Daddy played it twice in '84 the first was on 4.27 both a treat.
He must of not liked playing High Time all wacked out. Maybe to close to home? Jerry bust's out some wild solos on Estimated along with Bob's vocals running through a processor.
If you want some real deal '84 check above date and the BCT run end of this month beg of Nov.
top notch Dead.

5 show but 3 or 4 weak aud.
no drums>space
rippin china>rider.(Jerry wails on bridge)

I'm proud to say this was the first show I ever was witness to. There were many to come. I was 13, had no idea what I was getting into. In retrospect it was one of the finer shows I ever saw. I don't think it ws the first 'computer show' as mentioned, but that doesn't matter. I remeber wondering 'Does this fat guy ever talk or stand up?'(Jerry spent the majority of his time on a stool in 84-86) All the same, the fat man rocked!!!

I have been looking for a good copy (soundboard or otherwise) of this show for years and to be honest I do not think one is in circulation. This show has historical value as it's their first (and if I'm not mistaken the very first ever as The Dead were the first to venture into this area) computer show ever. If you don't know what I mean listen to Estimated Prophet and you will see.

listen before you download then make your decission....the loss of drums>space detracts from the vibe of the show. nice sound even though theres a cut at the beginning of eyes. 5 star show minus 1 for the cut in eyes and 1 for no drumspace

This is a GREAT show but it's an audience recording. People that are into audience recordings will like it. The sound is very good. I find the crowd distracting. I had a soundboard of this show many moons ago, so IÂm guessing that it will eventually show up here.

Epic first set. Check out a 95 and then listen to this and see what I mean. Second set is filled with great nuggets. Boys never really leave the stage before the encore because the fire marshall was closing them down so the love light is really and extnesion of the second set.

Great show

One of the best non-'74 ChinaRiders I've ever heard.

My old cassette of this is at least equal, quality-wise to this version, except mine was missing the Eyes>jam, so I downloaded that. I've got the Space, but not the drums, nor first set, so can't help with the kind patch.

After seeing many shows in the early 80's and loving the early 80's for a long time, I realize the late 72 and 77 were the 2 best years. I also happened to be at this show, and loved it...

A fantastic show, and a truly superb AUD. I've had a cassette of the 2nd set since about '86, and it's killer. The pathos of Jerry in High Time & China Doll is exquisite, with that dark '84 edge, like the great Morning Dew from the previous show, 10-12. (I still don't understand the anti-'84 bias out there.)

You can't beat the China Doll>Throwin' Stones>NFA>Lovelight. It takes you from intense and deep to glorious, wild celebration, just like a great post-drums is supposed to. And Healy's wild mike tricks sure don't bother me; they just add to the weird magic.

My only gripe: this excellent show needs a little TLC, in the form of patching the Drums>Space sequence and Esau, and maybe smoothing out those 1st set level fluctuations (if they're tape artifacts, and not original). Anyone up to that?

As always -- many thanks, and mad props, to archive.org!

I can definitely vouch for the first set, it's been one of my favorite ones for years. I love the Esau

An amazing concert: segue after segue after segue, partucularly in the second set. If you like those shows where they go from one tune to another with hardly a pause, this is the best example I know of.