Despite the poor sound quality. It's not that bad for an audience. However, one channel does mostly cut out near the end of Playin', which BTW, IMO, goes on a few minutes too long. The last part with just the drummers doesn't do anything for me. Otherwise, though, it's a worthy effort. Half Step and HCS are the other 1st set jams, though HCS is way short here.

The sound does get much better for the second set. There's nothing to write home about until you get to the jamming meat of the show, which doesn't disappoint. The Other One has everything that makes the 72-74 period special including a key change in the first jam, a spacey part, loads of Phil, and then two full-on meltdown jams from Jerry. When at last it dissolves into nothingness, out comes Eyes charging from the gate and it's total dance party mode for a while. Jerry and Phil are both especially animated on the second jam. However, there's a long audience patch that's rather annoying, from before the 3rd verse to well into the exploratory outro. This is before they standardized the 74 Eyes jam. It's a smooth transition to a gorgeous China Doll, but I'll skip the screetching that is You Ain't Woman Enough and go straight to Sugar Magnolia.

100% sound related issues will make this a tough listen
(See- German Shepherd listening review.)
hopeful somebody upgrades first show after Pig's passing.
the first ever show at Nassau
the first of three at Nassau 3/15 3/16 3/19
the first of Spring Tour 1973

Thoughts on Death and The ALMIGHTY:
We ponder Pigpen's passing.
I want to give some questions
to think about that my pastor laid on us.
Question #1- Do you have any spiritual beliefs?
Question #2-Who is Jesus to you?
Question #3-Heaven or Hell-when you die?
Question #4-Why? on what basis?
Question #5-Would it concern you
if your answers conflict with
what the Bible says about eternal life?

THE LOVE of GOD
The love of God is greater far
than tongue or pen can ever tell;
it goes beyond the highest star,
and reaches to the lowest hell.
The wand'ring child is reconciled
by God's beloved Son.
The aching soul again made whole,
and priceless pardon won.
Refrain:
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
the saints’ and angels’ song.

When ancient time shall pass away,
and human thrones and kingdoms fall;
when those who here refuse to pray
on rocks and hills and mountains call;
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
all measureless and strong;
grace will resound the whole earth round—
the saints’ and angels’ song. [Refrain]
Could we with ink the ocean fill,
and were the skies of parchment made;
were ev’ry stalk on earth a quill,
and ev’ryone a scribe by trade;
to write the love of God above
would drain the ocean dry;
nor could the scroll contain the whole,
though stretched from sky to sky. [Refrain]

I'd say it's always recommended to get more instagram followers.

Pigpen went to the great beyond, but the band must carry on.... Indeed, this night's performance is slightly hampered by slightly subpar sound quality, but it shouldn't deter one from enjoying the show.
I've always felt this night was something of a warm up for the beast that the following night is. While the night of the 16th is among my top ten favorites of 1973, this night is still worthy. The highlight for me is the cathartic Playin' in the Band.

Sweet licks!

but good. Highlights: China Doll

It seems to be good for Playin' up to Eyes of the World. About halfway through Eyes, the AUD patch is employed and quality goes through the floor. Comes back later in the song though and quality resumes until AUD appears again for You Ain't Woman Enough for the rest of the show.. 5 Stars still because I can't judge the Dead.

I hear as inspired a band considering they just lost one of their soulmates. Plus you get that live feel that a pretty decent audience recording will give you, that living, breathing element within Grateful Dead music. Check it out, I do not hear an uninspired band, to the contrary, a band pouring out a tribute, if you will, to their fallen comrade. It's as good as I remember.

Don't let the SQ deter you from missing out on this. The jamming in this show is excellent, and this stunning performance of The Other One is one of the very best I have heard, comparable in inspiration to the great version on Dick's Picks 28 (2/28/73). Seriously if you're on the fence please just sample that song, I guarantee you won't be disappointed!!

I listen to a lot of Other Ones, and found it interesting how clear the "in a circle" refrain came through on this one.

i love the shows from 73, such an interesting transition between the years of 72 and 74. 758 said it best. i read the reviews ahead of time and was expecting to be disappointed by the sound but its really not that bad even on my small comp speakers. the aud is rough but there isnt too much of it so as to spoil the show, the sbd parts sound fine to me.

overall this show rocks! love the setlist, all the songs played to my hearts content, especially the end run with a beautiful eyes, god i love that song. nice treat with box of rain in there

Hearts were heavy & the mind was wandering. The death of Pig was obviously on the minds of the Dead as heard in this lackluster performance. With that said I will give it a 4* rating because after all they DID NOT cancel the show. The one thing about this show that stands out for me about this show is that the Dead did not perform He's Gone for Pig, I wonder why.

I'm really surprised no one has mentioned that this was the band's first show after Pig's death, becoming forever one of the grateful dead.

His death must have weighed on the band. The performance seems to lack focus and energy.

Can't say much for the AUD portion of this one except YIKES! Not worth listening to unless you are courious. The SBD portion however is another story- very listenable! Playing is its typical bad ass as is the Other One which holds up to many from 72 and both clock in at the mid 20's! Lots of nice interplay with Billy really coming through in the mix. Eyes is a monster and for me is the whole center piece of the show (is there really a BAD Eyes from 73?).
Its not the cleanest SBD out there- theres a nasty splice in Eyes and some slight distortion in the vocals on Truckin' and Other One but hey- its still better than nothing and most of it comes through pretty well! A worthy choice to add to the collection as it will not disappoint.

It is true that the audience portion of this concert is not worth having, but the soundboard portion is most definitely a must.
I listen to my Dead discs most often with high quality headphones, and though there are some mono sections, patches, and channel drops, this show sounds fine enough.
This was the Dead's first performance of a March-April 1 run and they were playing at one of their consistently highest levels show after show. With the exception of the Europe '72 tour, these were the longest shows, averaging 3:30 a night.
Sometimes the Dead could achieve a musical level which was so focused that they seemed to achieve that indescribable "X" Factor. This Playing in the Band is x-factor all the way: driven by intense drumming, modulated by tempo changes, given spaciness by Jerry and Keith, this Playing is one which tells many musical stories. Totally engaging without a meandering moment. And the 53 minute jam of Truckin'>Other One>Eyes>China Doll is excellent as well, the Other One particularly wild, with a beautiful long Eyes necessary to calm down some harrowed nerves.
Put up with the occasional glitch and you will have an overlooked outstanding performance. Along with 27 August '72; 28 October '72; 18,19,24 November '72; and 10 December '72 this Playing is superb.

Too bad the sound quality of this is poor. I was at this show, the first one after Pigpen died. For most of the concert The Dead did not face the audience, but stood in a cirle facing and playing for each other, and the departed Ron McKernan.

but this is faint praise. The worst sound I've heard on this site. Cheers to the site but this recording is for completists only. It gets two stars b/c Garcia's guitar isn't so weak in the mix. The vocals are a bust.