My friend was a taper at this show and has such a cleaner recording. It's a shame it hasn't been uploaded. Hmm.. I think I have at least the first set burned to CD somewhere.. He's Gone and The Wheel are what brought me back for more.

Get a proper upload Bike Mike!

That the most I remember from this show. Those were purchased in the parking lot and consumed just minutes before entering the arena. Anyone who doesnt remember goony birds they were very popular and clean acid at the time and this particular batch was dipped twice. I remember my friend wearing a leather jacket and being laughed at and then feeling paranoid the whole show. Thinking Jerry knew he was an imposter and vibeing him directly. The drums turned into a giant chrome motor with the band attached out front and Jerry driving this out of control hotrod. I remember Candyman being very trippy and the stuff was really kicking in. The only thing else I remember is All along the Watchtower but I was trippin around the hallways of the Arena amongst all the sweaty dancers. This show had a strange vibe. Seems like alot of shows that have Feels like a Stranger in them are...or maybe it was me. Great memories, I really miss.

First set has some very nice moments, but second set oddly get progressively sloppier: with everyone seeming to fall apart and be in different places and just plain making consistently odd fudges, as if they forgot how to play. Oh well.....

If you can't lay your hands on the matrix, download this. It's practically indistinguishable from a matrix (except for occasional talking near the mikes :-().

Yeah I agree with the reviewer who said it sounds like they were playing for the friends. There is a lot of sloppy playing in this show, but the passion is still there. Jerry shreds it on many tunes. Given the sloppy playing on many songs, I give it a 4.

1st Set: A loose, casual short "Mississippi" opens up this three night stand at a 'blah' Amphitheatre in 'blah' Orange County. For chrissake, you can see the Parking Lot from every seat...totally disallows any boundaries between the show and the outside world from forming. "Stranger" is punchy and quite dynamic. Second that for "Franklin's" which confirms Jerry being in solid form. "Minglewood" is fine but a litle tame for my tastes. "Candyman" has a steadying pace. "Queen Jane" starts out rough but Jerry soon strightens out the ship. "Push" is fine. Although the notes are pouring from Jerry's guitar, there's nothing during "Let it Grow" that's uniquely magnificent. That being said, it's a quality performance.

2nd Set" Butt-bump your partner to the affectionate "China Cat." A bit weak and unpronounced in the beginning, and doesn't get much better as it pleasantly rolls into "Rider." Apparently, noone has bothered to tell the band that their attempt at turning "Louie Louie" into a rugged blues number is futile. Fine for a soundcheck, laughable as a 2nd set entree. "Estimated" sounds strong but there's a novel aspect missing. Perhaps the music sounds thinner tha usual. Mmmmm...there's plenty of wounded whinnying by Jerry and company during a heated "He's Gone" Some cool multiple 'synth' drumming. Nuclear holocaust threatens everyone's livlihood during the mad scamper of "Space." (late 2's/3's) Everyone's vocalizing with plenty of effort, but maybe that's the detriment. A mild thrust sends us to "Gimme." Where's Jerry during the verse break to provide the guitar spectrum? Bobby disallows Jerry time to express an interesting solo before he commences his cheesy snarl. Without a ballad in our sights we're heading for an average "Sugar" land.

Tonight's encore is a standard "Black Muddy."
Hey, Bobby, remember when you sung about the 'rich man and his summer home?!'

3 1/8 stars.

This is a very, very good sounding Audience! Lots of energy to boot!

This is one of those special shows when you can feel that Magic. This show had great energy, even Black Muddy River was Rockin. I'm not a big fan of Audience tapes, but this one really brings back the true feeling of being there. Jerry laughs during 1/2 step, all the way to BMR,(seems this nite will last forever) the crowd goes crazy. The band sounds like they are playing in front of their friends. This show is a preview of the Maine 7-3-88 - and Lauguna 88 shows.
That same vibe....5 stars for the show, 4 stars for sound.

The circulating PCM copies of the 88 irvine shows wre taped by myslef and sean weber using my EQ. which was schoeps cmc44 ORTF into a plain Sony PCM-F1 spny betamax, Sony proX r500 tapes Row DD section 6 center. we taped all 6 shows in 1987 and 1988 from the same seats thanks to the GD ticket office. I'm not sure how close to the master these are but i can put up a master copy if need be. Paul B got a few of the shows from my master at off the PCM.

From what i just heard on my dinky computer speakers at a low volume, this sounds like a great audience tape of an overlooked performance! I was here & it sounds as good as i remember it. a rock solid first set to begin. then a fat china>rider & next one of only a few loui-louis! An excellent estimated>he's gone combo! you can tell the boys are psyched during drums>space & then the huge end of the show1 jerry scorches the watchtower! only thing missing is a jerry ballad(stella, dew, black peter) between watchtower & sugar mags! I've become spoiled with sound quality in the digital age but this audience tape is great. many thanks to the taper and seeder! i've wanted to hear this since that night 4/22/88!!!!!!!