Got lucky and scored 6th row center through regular Ticketmaster phone order. One of those where I didn't know how good the tix were and the ushers kept waving us forward. Anyway... Jerry's voice was weakening, and whatever, but Ornette Coleman? Thanks. Sports Arena is a crappy venue, but we were hearing it off the main Dead PA and I thought it sounded pretty fucking great at the time. Solid song selection (except that "wind" in the second set), and, oh yeah, Ornette. And 6th row. And my second to last Dead show (went the next year in LA as well). No interest in post-Jerry Dead (although I like Phil or Bobby's side projects). Just for fun, I was at Cornell '77 and dozens of shows back then, so I have some cred, lol.

Somebody has to have a better recording of this. If not it would be quite a shame. I was at this show and the one earlier in the year in Oakland. Yes, the first was off the richter scale but this show was up there. First problem was, the Sports Arena was never intended for music. Second problem led off the first...all 3 nights had sound quirks. (I heard "is Jerry's mic broken" several times.) Third, I'm not so sure Ornette was a planned thing. Call me crazy, but after what happened in Feb, you'd have to be nuts not to have the proper sound mix. Wharf rat...was hands down one of the best 7 or 8 minutes I've had. You definitely had to be there!!

Given the guest wattage, this show should have been more interesting. The jams don't really go anywhere, the playing is disjointed in spots and Jerry's voice is noticeably bad. Might be the only show where Broken Arrow was a highlight.

First I want to say I'm revising this, because I want to apologize since I noticed that for some strange reason this is appearing twice, why I have no idea! And I just noticed that about the reviewer on the next show. I sure hope this doesn't come out a third time now; or perhaps hopefully, it will fix itself, in which case you won't know what the heck I'm talking about. But that's better than seeing it over again!
Wow how can I forget, I haven't heard this in quite a while, since my tapes are in storage. Not to brag, but guess who was right behind me during the first set on the lower mid-front left side facing the stage; none other than Ornette Coleman himself!
So when the set ended, I introduced myself, and said that I'd seen him before at the Palace in Hollywood, and heard the tape of him with Grateful Dead in Oakland. To which he seemed enthused that he was recognized in the dark, with a semi-general admission crowd. Naturally, I expressed that it would be great if he would play with them. He probably was planning on it anyway, even if I didn't talk to him!
Airto, was his usual greatness. I was fortunate enough, to have seen every, (besides for most of the Hamza El-Din and Olatunji appearances,(I held Babba's hand, (since he was blind), backstage on New Year's))), Airto appearance with Grateful Dead, except one, in addition to other times with other folks at jazz fests, on his own, and the first Planet Drum show at the Marin Vet. Center. As well as on the second Planet tour!
I remember Easy Answers to be amazing, or was that other run of shows they did here at the L.A. Sports Arena or both, (I love that tune, but even so)? I have to listen again, to those as well, with Branford Marsalis in '94. I'll write more later. You'll dig this I hope!

Augy
San Diego

I thoroughly enjoyed this one, and still do... I was listening to audience tapes last night. Hot first set without guests, and things get nicely weird in the second set.
Beats the hell out of the next night, imo.

Ornette can't save this one. Blah is the best word. try nights 1 and 3 before delving into this show. Oh yeah....wave to the wind????why in all that is holy are they still playing that tune at this point?

Kinda sloppy overall, and the soundboard seems to have some pitch problems (a little Jerrymouse I'd say). But, otherwise clean, and listenable. Nice Estimated D/S> Other One. Wave to the Wind has promise, good Jerry leads.

Ornette Coleman