Sometime around the late eighties or early nineties I was bumming around Greenwich Village smoking a joint and I stumbled some guy on E. 8th Street selling a bunch of tapes, including this one. Well, I bought it, popped it into my Walkman, and nearly blew my mind when they hit the Rider. Wow, talk about exciting! Jerry sings with as much energy as I think I've heard from him, especially on the second northbound train verse, where he just stomps in over everyone. And while the reviewers talk about Jerry and Brent but listen to the drummers too. Boom boom boom boom! Outstanding.

If you're looking for something that is heavy with Brent's keys and Jerry's interplay, then this is it. Much of it is just totally flawless and energetic. Who says the GD didn'...rock the 80's? I like to start at the insane China-Rider,followed by Prophet-Eyes, the final four is a nice Wheel-Throwing Stones-Not Fade Away-It's All Over Now Baby Blue...

Wasn't there. Just a listener.

As previous reviewers mentioned, seems my only beef with this recording is the low Jerry mix, both vocally and occasionally guitar wise. On the other end Brent is way up and expirementing with some crazy shit to say the least. Love the key into to Throwing Stones which inspires a much longer than usual build up into.

Other highlights include a sick closer It's All Over Now, Baby Blue and the China>Rider transition which reeks of Godchaux's footsteps, but a more updated sound, especially with Brent's mad scientiest phase. One downpoint of the show is the Wheel. Kinda poopy, not much interplaying between Bobby and Jerry and while Brent tries to keep it alive, this is a Jerry song, so he can't. The Wheel is supposed to bring you out of the drumz>space segment with an upbeat feel whereas this version just reminds us of the decline of Garcia beggining.

Anyone got any SBD's of May 84 shows, trading wanted.

dylan.muhlberg@colorado.edu

enjoy! great sound quality as well.

This is a very good show. Nice esoteric Bird Song, strong Riders, agree with the others here. Recommended

I had this tape since 84 and listended to it till the wheels in the cassette came apart, probably. The time that Jerry does that headlight verse twice was my fav moment almost ever. What a telling moment. Still was alive in there inside that 300 pound pale green body. Brent is way on. Listen, if anyone has the 10-18-84 show SBD, lemme know, I'll hook you up with something cool. Listening to this right now, Jerry is kinda low in the mix, oh well. my email is thisis@pacbell.net

Very interesting, incredible Rider. The fact that Jerry belts out the "I wish I was a headlight" verse twice is insane. One of my favorite 80's China > Riders!
Ordinary mid 80's first set, nice second set.

The drums/space segment will take you out to the great beyond. Classic 84 segment with lots of weird "beam", arcade, and guitar sounds bouncing round and round. The Rider is tasty, though Weir clearly didn't think JG was going for a 2d bite at the Northbound Train apple. Outstanding SBD quality.

RECOMMENDED

First set is decent with Garcia's guitar a little low in the mix.....however the powder kegs were lit following intermission as the Dead craft one of the most devastating China>Riders ever!! It starts with an Atari 7800 intro from Brent and Phil..bobby is also playing some beutiful chordal patterns. The transition jam is hot- everytime you think they are going to settle into Rider Jerry peels off another riff which transforms the band into a speedball concoction. Rider is noteworthy in that Jerry sings the headlight version twice. In my opinion after listening to this several hundred times he did it on purpose. He seemed to be crying out in agony and frustrated about the direction of his life. Mabye he just missed Rock, whatever he belts out the lyrics and we are treated to an extra stanza. Nice post drums Stones...if nothing else nice filler material.