It's those songs and arrangements that we all love from Reckoning (or...at least, I do) with slightly worse sound quality, but substantially more passionate. Listen to the jam in Cassidy, for example -- WAY more intense than the (excellent) one from Radio City on Reckoning. In October they were playing with a little restraint; they were making a record, and didn't want to fuck up. But here, they're letting it loose. That's what we come for!

Also, I LOVE the way you can hear them chatting with each other between songs -- I've never heard that before, it makes it feel like they're sitting in your living room jamming. SO GOOD.

Purple People, seated under the purple lights in the Phil Zone like surfers of an eruption, I envy you during this Estimated Prophet, the first of 81 and last of 80, the metaphysical glue of their connection. Focus on Phil until some Helen Keller awakening shatters the shell of your mind and reveals to the stunned hatching within a world beyond all wonder. The intrinsic peculiarity of this song is never covered by the gray blanket of familiarity wrapping most things. It's as different and mysterious and off-the-wall and triumphant and creepy now as the first time you heard it.

This was my first show of 200+. Deadhead from the word drop. I never knew a human could have so much fun on this planet! I had only heard music like this in my dreams until that night! Seeing the crowd damn near jumping off the balcony at midnight just freaked my 18 year mind...along with the golden dolphin hits I bought while standing in line to get in...Dancing like crazy, spinning in the hallway, staring in total disbelief that this kind of thing actually happens while we're still alive...this must be heaven, close enough to pretend.

Magical Mystery Tour was playing on the screen as we entered...John had just been killed and the wounds were still very fresh. Dire Wolf opens-please don't murder me. This show was the turning of that corner down a long 15 year hallway to the next thing...the love that did not forsake me in the days that lie between.

The recording is pretty nice, the show in retrospect is Good Ole Grateful Dead.

Ooops

Always nice to have an acoustic set in this period, which had some of the best. There are better ones in the Sept/Oct Warfield/Radio City shows, but this one is still pretty sweet.

The rest of the show is enjoyable with an interesting set list.

The Brokedown Palace wasn't something they had played much in many years at the time.

Yes, my first NYE in Oakland. And my only acoustic set. Great time. This recording does it justice, too.

Great show better than i remmber(hard to remmber so long ago).this is the only show i know of they play satisfaction but nobdy mentions it .maybe they played it more i dont know, but it was a gas to watch them play it.i sure would like to get a copy of this show if anybody has it...k.frewen@sbcglobal.net (trade or something)

The only word to discribe the music quality of this show is beautiful.. Harmonies are awesome. I got chills listening to Ripple. ChinaCat/Rider is just sweet. The boys sound to be having a blast together. A definate keeper!!

We chose to listen to this show again on New Years 2005 due to its hot set list. The boys are definitely on it this night.

DB is right on. This show has a warm and fuzzy sound to it. It just feels good. While it's not the best show by any means, it is a very enjoyable NYE show. The sound of the band was evolving so much during this time. Brent is key during this period...and Billy K is outstanding. He is such an overlooked drummer...Mickey is a good percussionist...but Billy K is THE drummer!

Under-rated show sound quality and performance. The boys did'nt blow it this new years. It's interesting to see how the bands playing evolved after Warfield and Radio city.Download this one and save it for the most 'Gonzo' monments this New years or any new year

While it might be that this ain't the greatest show ever! It most certainly rocks. The version of deal really jells and the party vibe started with the acoustic set just picks up some pace and builds and builds.

There are some sound issues with this recording, drop outs and then something that sounds like audience tape subsitution?!?! but these are minor glitches, the overwhelming (and there are some overwhelming moments here) sound is pretty ok. The version of Althea is nice and tight too.

Once again the man Billy K really bring this baby home, paring back the random abstract complexity for some straight ahead (though still in weird time sigs) rock drumming that gets the head nodding, toe tapping, quickened heartbeat type reactions that you want from a party show. If you're looking for a psychedelic trip out, there are moments, but in the final analysis this is a balls out rock monster! I recommend getting this if only cos the setlist has a relentless flow that is well nigh irresistable, additionally if you want a show where you can hear the smiles on the boys faces as they just have fun being a rocking band together then this is for you!

this was my 1st nyrs. show, I like evryone else? had to give my entire ticket 2 get in (no stub) I had an extra-special time, up front on the floor for the entire acoustic set, Cherry with a round picture of a single rose over his head...wow, To Lay Me Down..I was sold the China Cat / Rider will be with me always..and the Sunshine to Sunshine closed up Brokedown perfect..the funny thing is ... my friend and I were in s.calif. and came up for the show...didn't know there were what 4-5 other show's before new years, I got what I needed, thnks to the smedleys

I had no idea who the opening act was until I arrived at the show. Great choice. The Dinosaurs were great. The Dead's set was very good but not stellar. Most NYE shows never lived up to the hype. They were always more of a party. Exceptions being '76, '78, and '82.
I have a master audience Dinosaurs recording if anyone needs it. Email me at jeffsetz@comcast.net

the previous shows, nor was it a good hall to play acoustic in ! As great as John Chippollina was, Jerry would always almost completely, overshadow him. Just goes to show you how great Garcia was ! God bless'm both !
Who's got a recording of "The Dinasours" (Berry "Fish" Melton, Merl Suanders, Robert Hunter, Spencer, Dryden, the bass player from Big Brother ?, and specially for this show, Nicky Hopkins on piano, Country Joe McDonald, and his sister); who played in between the Jamacian opening band and Grateful Dead ?