This first set is one of my all time faves with all the rare nuggets, but the second isn't as strong as the set list promises. There are much better played shows from 93 but this one gets all the attention due to the setlist. Picasso>Fire is a rare combo to be sure but the Fire jam never really catches, well, fire. Wave isn't one of my favs but isnt as bad as some would have you believe. I disagree vehemently with the previous reviewer that Phil songs are grate by definition as Shoe Fits & especially Childhoods End are among the worst songs written in the history of music. The Cassidy>UJB> Cassidy sandwich is cool on paper but doesn't have much passion in the actual execution. Post Space is pretty flat, although the 'better than TV' line in Gloria is hilarious, one of Bobby's best examples of vocal improv. Despite the shortcomings I'm still giving this show 5 stars, first set is top shelf.
I'll give a show five stars if I think it's one of the best of that year/era. Trying to compare different eras is like comparing apples & oranges the sounds are so different.

any and every phil tune rocks. period. and the gloria is top notch as well, complete with the better than tv peak as noted below. This was awesome and I wish I could have been there.

Lobster boy sheesh you music snob. I thought i was! This show was great and no one can replace brent. well bruce can. I was at these shows and they where great.

This is the famous "better than TV" Gloria (what Bob shouts at one point). OK, maybe it's not famous but I've always liked it -- seems spontaneous and like everyone is peaking at the same moment.

playing is average to below average but i will give points for the second set surprises. Agree with dmilks that they are far from epic, but how I would have loved some of the creavity to have spilled over into 94 and 95. Oh well, then I wouldn't have gotten easy answers and I faught the law everytime. Lucky me. 2 1/2 lightning bolts for this gig. oh by the way wave to the wind still blows. embarrassing

A solid show. This show was an excellent example of the potential of the new sound forged with the emergance of Vince and departure of Hornsby. I loved Hornsby and Vince together, however at the time we were reminded that Bruce's stint with the band was going to be a short one and indeed it was. Vince needed time to develope his niche within the band. I think he wasn't bad, he had big shoes to fill and he had a sound all to himself. He could not be something that he wasn't.
Otherwise,1993 was a year of great hope. The band tailed off during '92, Garcia was sick again, and they had to work in several new unimaginative songs. Throughout the band's career, new tunes would be played to death when they first broke them out, that was how the band developed and shaped the song until they found a nice groove with it and learned how too jam it out. Kinda like live rehearsal. We heads were a very understanding bunch.

However, they were building from the momentum of the Dec 92 comeback shows. Maybe Garcia was going to stay healthy for a while and the band would take off again.
During this show, old standards like Shakedown, Dire Wolf, Hightime, Cumberland, Fire on the Mountian were all very well played. Match those with excellent versions of Same Thing, Piccaso, and Wave to the Wind (superb version), and this show offered a look at where the band could go. The Cassidy>UJB> Cassidy combo not only well played but in a great spot, provided us with the thought that maybe finally the band could "mix-up" song placement and take some songs and explore their potential. The post drums were even given a jolt with the Gloria.
Accross the board, a superb show at a time when those were becoming rare.
Definatlty check this show out,a top 3 show from 1993.

I enjoyed this version, good year for Scaret Fire in 1977 - this is a rockin version - It had be dancin the boogie woogie!!!!!!!!!!

Good Sound, but I would have a hard time giving this show more than a 3 star rating. Sorry, but just b/c they played Picasso>Fire or Cassidy>Uncle>Cassidy, if they don't play it well (which I don't really think they did), it doesn't do much for me. The Wharf Rat is so mired in flubs, it is virtually unlistenable.

I don't often agree with Tito (as many of my reviews will point out), but I do agree with him that Phil singing High Time, and a lot of the Dead repertiore that he chooses to play with his solo band is an abomination. Sorry Phil, I love ya, but it may be time to either hang it up, or start looking for some different material.

This is a great show. Strong Shakedown opener. The tuning into Dire Wolf lets you know its going to be a good one. The Pop and Twang Garcia has and the pace of the tune sound more like 83'. BIODTL more of the same. Masterpiece is excellent I agree it could be the the one of the best versions for the Dead, except Bobbys voice was too shot.But Garcia's solo is one of the best ever. In 93 the Rest of the Band really tapped into a groove that just sustained those peak moments in a Garcia Solo sequence better than any other year. Cumberland is awsome Jerry really displays those Banjo skills.The Promised Land is among the best of the 90's Jerry is cooking and Vince's piano playing is excellent I always felt that Vince had the chops he just made poor choices. That summer and particularly the Expo shows he had really started to Improve.
Second Set starts of with a forgetable Picasso but leads into a nice Fire. Wave to the Wind is Sick. May not be a great song but I guess it was Phil's way of tricking the Band into Playing that mid-seventies Eyes Jam Cause when he's not singing thats what you have (at least this version). It has some of the best Jamming of the night. Garcia's almost in seventies mode jazzy uptempo playing all the way through. Cassidy is great too. Very good jam into an excellent UJB the seque back to Cassidy isnt executed perfectly but all in all they pulled it off pretty nice.Post Drums Other One- Wharf Rat -Sugar Magnolia- Gloria is superb a real treat. This Show really rose my expectaions For the rest of the summer. Too bad they couldnt Conjure up a couple more t start to finish great shows during the East Coast run.

This is a nice sounding board. I really enjoyed this setlist. Fire is outstanding! I thought Cassidy-> UJB -> Cassidy should have been done more often. This is one of the best shows of 1993

I didnt like first sets but i like this one..sentimental venue..Fire out of Picasso is sick..dirty jev-o smokes pickles.
I cant understand how factman can give "phil Lesh and friends"money making machine garbage 5stars while he gives some Grateful Dead shows 2 or 3 stars.Are you that spun out on this bullshit "the dead" crap?i would listen to the worst GD before listening to any "Pihil Lesh and friend"or "the dead".Listen to Phil Lesh sing "High Time".It is absolutly ridiculous.unintentional comedy in its highest form

there is a bit wrong with the mix...just sounds like the instruments were too low and the recording level was too high-----everything is there and at a low volume this sbd sounds very pleasing to the ear---so i will turn it down a bit and give it a 4 because the playing is stella yes stella

I was aghast to find that Stratocaster is the first person to weigh in on this show!
I know 93 is a hit/miss year, but I figured this would overall rank in the top 5 if not 3, thereby prompting someone out there in cyberspace to call attention to it before the middle of March 2005.
If you're ga-ga over 9-22 w/David Murray and you don't want to burn yourself out on it, try this show on for size.
The only reason I'm giving this show a 3-star rating is the recording. This sounds like the source of the 2 or 3 tapes I've had/have, and there's something I don't like about the mix. I've heard plenty of shows from here (the archive) that sound fantastic TO ME that still garnered criticism FROM OTHERS of the audio quality. There's a slight, for lack of defining word, grittiness in the overall sound of this show. Ironically, I think that's exactly what gives the sound its personality, and deflects attention from the lack of audience in the mix.
However, the combination of setlist and execution in this show make it a must-have. I already wrote a review for this show in Deadbase '93. I will say no more.

I have to give this show a slight edge over the preceding night and on par with 09-22 as the show of the year. The first set is tight and features very crisp versions of virtually every song...the second set is huge. First set highlights include the best Shakedown of the year, Masterpiece may be one of the best versions played by the Dead...Jerry delivers Dire Wolf with authority...second set includes a smoking Picasso Moon that segues into Fire in the Mountain that is brimming with energy and is played in a unique arrangement...both Jerry and Bob are dialed into more compressed distortion and this results in some fantastic interplay...the Cassidy-Uncle Johns-Cassidy sandwich makes its only-ever appearance and is pulled off here with great result...Gloria is played with energy and is very well done...