I give 3 stars.

Donna and Keith suck. period
"stop the keith and donna bashing"....up yours crybaby.
if anyone thinks that she is a good singer, you are as tone deaf as she is. horrible, horrible singing.
the band may as well have had a player piano onstage , would have been better than keith's dull playing.
i know they were using heavy drugs, but how could they have gone on so long with her terrible singing.
the whole Dogchow era of the Dead is unlistenable

Jerry screw's up a bit in "Bertha" but you can't fire Jerry.

I agree with Fasso....Brent was "kiss of death (no pun)" for the band. Cannot listen to that contrived, affected tortured, crazed fake-bluesy strained voice...and his own songs blow (away). jerry said his most comfortable side band was the JGB configuaration w Donna and Keith. That says a lot. If you want to hear clear beautiful meshing of musicians get "Don't Let Go" JGB Orpheum 1976. Jerry is amazing as is Keith, and Donna is in tune, spot and beautiful. Don't fool yourself. 71-74 IS The Dead

The premise that the band was great in spite of Keith from 73 till his departure is ridiculous. If that was the case Donna and Keith wouldn't have been staples in JGB during that period. In fact the band was just a shell of themselves when Brent joined.The 80's sound with Brent was elementary at best. I'm so sick of that narrative. Most of the bashing comes from the heads that toured in the 80's. Just because you were at those shows doesn't mean that the band was at its best. Lets be honest the band was at their peak during the 70's. They were young full of energy and at their creative apex. Put your biases aside and its a no brainer.

Your points are not exactly wrong...but
Keith was worthless from 1973 on. He sounded like he was using his fists, not fingers. Check GD movie during the GDTRFB for a nodded out keyboard player. The good years he and Donna were in the band were inspite of them, not because of them. I saw 276 shows from 1971-1995 and collected thousands more which I recorded in real time and therefore heard. The first show with Brent was a relief beyond description. My favorite years of attending shows was1979-1985.
And their last show was truly amazing btw.
If you think I somehow am missing some point, you are an idiot.

really it was the end of the line for keith and donna they knew it and so did the band but here comes brent and brent did shine he just brung so much more and he sang good too

I think this show kills. At least the latter half. Jerry's playing is so dreamy, Especially on The Wheel into Shakedown. K and D went out with a bang.

you most be kidding your glad that was it for keith &donna you most not appreciate the real grateful Dead maybe DEAD & company sounds better the wear the hottest years don't get me wrong love BRENT

Thank god this was it for them !!! Keith's playing got listless and Donna was horrendous most of the time. This show is alright tho.

the Brent years were better than the Keith and Donna Years is truly ignorant of the music. ou want to argue TC and Pigpen years go ahead but that's it. they were members during the Band's most productive and famous years. Before the internet, when people were less proud of their ignorance, you never heard all this brent years were better bs and thats what it is utter bullshit. Jerry was a shell of himself for a majority of the time, yes he'd wake up for moments or tours, and yes my 1989 he was a beast again but 1989-90 is awesome but not better than any 2 year period of the keith and donna years. This show was a good not great one but has some absolute great moments.

I actually liked Donna. She added a lot to harmonies on a lot of tunes: Cassidy, FOTD, He's Gone, Looks Like Rain, ...The only real "objectionable" moments came with those "Tarzan-like" screams in Playing the Band. But those only lasted 5 or 6 seconds. You telling me you can't give the benefit of the doubt on those? I can. How many times were we subjected to Weir's screaming and mediocre slide playing (no "hate" there; just a fact. Weir could not play slide).

The Keith and Donna sound was key to this band. Can you imagine Europe 72, Fall 73 or Spring 77 without Keith's paino?

It is true that several factors were dragging down the band's sound during this time (Jerry's heroin, Phil's drinking). They too often sounded sluggish. And it is a shame that Keith did not more fully embrace electronic keyboards. Jerry said he wanted more "sustain and color" from the keyboard sound.

This show, like a lot from this last tour with Keith and Donna, has its exciting moments, but overall, the band sounds like it needs a fresh direction; and they got it with Brent.

I have a friend who did stage sound for The Dead, as he explained it inregards to Donna's singing, when the singing became more like screaming or went on for too long, they "dumped" her mike or turned down the volume.

I was at this show, Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden did a presentation with the Fun and Games with Dick and Jane movie running in the background. This had probably become their new local "home" as Winterland was closing which was broadcast live locally on TV probably New Years eve. Subsequently I saw them in Baltimore 1980 ad 1982, which were the last of their shows I actually ever attended.

According to Phil's memoir, Keith and Donna were fired from the band because they had become too involved in drugs to perform consistently, and that Jerry especially had become frustrated with Keith's piano playing.

Inconsistent show, but it's got its smokin' moments.

Lets see here, Keith and Donna left the band because they wern't happy with the direction it was going, which we can hear in her voice she wasn't happy. Time to move on when your not given the chance to be true and genuine.

Hey headNOThippie and all those other anti-donna(/phil) people, listen to her solo's you idiot to get the real Donna and not what she was told to sing and tell me they aren't beautiful. I bet you've never even been to any of her other non-dead functions. Keep your diarrhea of the mouth to yourself and keep away from us. Try listening to the music, don't just hear it. Oh you were probably high or something and was just thinking about yourself. Think and hear outside the box you deadhead wanna be.

no rating because i haven't listened to it yet. Just bashing hateful people.

Hey Archive, add a flag application to your Review page so we can flag people like this that bash the members and don't stick to the format of rating the show. Turning this into their soapbox (like me).

I love this show but I must say the terrible sound quality kind of brings it down for me. Why are so many of the boards from early-mid 1979 not sound so good? Does anyone know?

LOVE LOVE this Bertha>Good Lovin'. I'm a collector of Bertha's from all eras and this is a really high energy one, nice jam in there. Also SICK Shakedown, even Keith's last show there was still some semblance of the old magic!!

5-star show for performance and historical reasons but I subtract one star for the sound.

Call me crazy, but I love Shakedown Street in this show. Not the greatest sound quality, but I like the groove.

I'm shocked by the *hatred* of K&D that I read here. K&D were a significant part of this band for a third of its life—-nearly a decade! To those who consider K&D such a blight to the band, please consider if you really are a Grateful Dead fan...or if you just like Brent, Bruce, or Vince with some soloists and a rhythm section.

Jane Fonda was and always will be a traitor to this country for what she did in Vietnam. It was one thing to oppose the war, but another to sit on a gun of the enemies that was used to kill our boys who (many of) were drafted to go there.

I didn't know it at the time, until later before Brent's first show that this was their last as I hand held my microphones over my head Donna was clearly checking me out as I recorded while she was singing "From the Heart of Me",(not her best performance; kind of sad in retrospect), but like others, since a board came out I recorded over it.
This is an early example of Garcia starting to really stretch out and improvise on the end of "Terrapin Station", as well as a great "Lazy Lightin'"->"Supplication" amongst other things, as the other folks have said! This was a Cancer Research benefit called the "Rock for Life" with Jane Fonda and Tom Haydn introducing the band and one of her lesser known pictures playing beforehand "Fun with Dick & Jane".

Augy
San Diego

They were tired of the band's direction. They got what they wanted in 76, a more mellower sound. Then after the louder and raunchier sound of 77-78 they wanted to go back mellow. They lost this battle and they parted ways.

It was not a planned thing with the band. They dropped the bomb after this show because they knew there was a break in schedule until April so they picked this time to go and give them time to find someone.

Brent was playing with Bobby solo and he was thought of right away plus since he was a deadhead already and knew a lot of the songs so the break-in would be quick. Plus he could sing his ass off so he killed 2 birds with one stone. Thank god. Another decade with her would have surely killed my dog. : )

If anyone knows about how the change in band members came about, it would be nice to post. I'm wondering if this was the last scheduled show on the tour, or if they called it off early after this show.

This certainly wasn't Donna's best show, minor flubs on Bertha and the Wheel. I hadn't heard From the Heart of Me before I listened to this show, and the one they performed on this night had the biggest "ouch" moment I've heard the Dead do. I went and checked out a couple of other versions of the song, and it wasn't that bad, but this one sure was.

That being said, the whole band seems to be playing on auto pilot. Jerry does have some rocking moments, but, aside from the historical importance of this show, its nothing special.

Hey jake I think you should go back to '79 and let the sound guy know.

They had Donna's mike up too high on Passenger. I could hear her.

This show was my first bootleg. Two Maxell tapes of good quality - the quality on the first three songs was shakey but then the sound suddenly kicked in.

Much nicer here - clean all the way through.

The Segue from Bertha into Good Lovin' is phenomenal, a transition they have done dozens of times but it just explodes here.

I remember when Jerry died realizing that one of the things we lost was the surprise of a new transition or a new variation on a transition that comes out of nowhere when you least expect it.

I can attest that this show wears better than most after hundreds of hours of listening - it was a staple in my tapedeck for many years. Funny, it probably 20 years from when I got this tape until I learned it was Keith and Donna's last show.

Hopefully, Keith and Donna got some satisfaction from a quality final performance even if they didn't get a big sendoff.

It amazes me that just two months later this band breaks out with a completly different sound.

you need to jack up the volume to hear what is going on, and we sometimes miss out on a particular channel. It's a good show, not great. Good versions of LL/Supplication, Playin' is reminiscent of 75-76, it's a little sloppy at times. Jerry does have his fingers working this night.

I will miss Donna and Keith. Especially Donna. She was just absolutely fantastic on so many songs, especially in the later years. And she is/was beautiful.

There are a few flubs (and some off-key singing by Bob), but Keith and Donna's last show is for the most part a very good show. Donna's last Passenger rocks, as does Done Ease Me In. High Time is also a highlight. But it's the second set that shines. The second set song transitions morph into one another, smooth and natural, as in the pre-1976 years. The Playing in the Band goes to some interesting places as well.

I agree with jboyaquar below that Keith and Donna should have had a farewell here. Feelings were hard between the couple and the others, probably exacerbated by over-medication. In a interview with David Gantz, Donna said that they were all "wasted," which isn't great for interpersonal relationships. But a tribute or recognition was warranted here. Keith was the best keyboard player the Dead ever had.

It was also disappointing that Donna wasn't on the reunion tours of "the Dead" a few years ago. I guess time doesn't heal all wounds.

This is the last chance for that kackaling witch to ruine anymore songs. They shoud have made this as much of a specticle as a new years show. Keith was alright but the best was yet to come w/ Brent.
Good show though. 3 1/2 stars on the preformance but 1000 stars for the departure of DONNA!!!

hello everyone. i have this show on CD here @ the studio (remastered): pitch corrected, hiss reduction, EQ, etc...

if anyone would like to download the show via FTP, let me know. i will host it.

peace.

-Ben

1st set: The groundwork is laid down for an exemplary set by the undeniable positive momentum of a fine "Greatest." Wow, Jerry is really reaching for the stars early... there's little "Ease-y" about the notes he's wringing out of his trusty sidekick. (BTW, did Jerry have nicknames for his guitars?) "Ease" was breezy. "Mama" is sharp and concise which segues into a bright and snazzy "Mexicali." Finally, the heart can stop palpitating with a delicately played "FOTD." None of the musicians color the music with busyness. Oh my goodness, "Passenger" thunders over my speakers like a 19th century steam locomotive. It just amazes me how this band could go from a booming blast of bellowness to a fragile, lilting "To Lay Me Down." Wonderful choice tho it's sung too fast. This version clocks in at 6:30 when there's at least 8 1/2 minutes of unrequited soul waiting to be extracted. Bobby counters with a poignant "LLR" that oddly fades away in its last few moments. "Jack" barrels in sounding like a lost cut from 'Workingsman.' Unfortunately, this solid stream lacks "Lazy/Supplication" which is a shame because Bobby works himself into a foaming lather at the end of 'Lazy.'&'Supp...' the latter of which brings jaunty Elaine-esque (Seinfeld) contortions from my bodice.

A quality 1st set... one of the better and most consistent I've heard in a long while.

2nd Set: A joyously boozy "Might" opens up the final set in Donna and Keith's Grateful Dead lives. Let's continue to allow the stadium rock out with a riotous "Miracle." Bobby is really in virile vocal mode tonight; apparently, his barking is a subconscious reminder to Donna for what she'll be missing on the road... Anyways, W is really alive during the outro. A very fine version. "Bertha" is more restrained but still enjoyable as it gets deliriously happy at the end. You think, we're not getting the terrible threesome?! "Good Lovin" is just as alive and vibrant. You make the call: Would you rather suffer through "From the Heart" and Keith's increasingly non-active piano or Brent's overeagerness and "Far," & "Easy..." "Big Railroad" is fine, but not really what this set requires; what would be nice is some Meat, some substance. The blessing makes its way through "Terrapin." Quiet at first, the Terrapin builds standardly. "Playin" is a nighttime adventure. Confident in its sparseness, it bare-bones presence contrasts well with the earlier over-the-top renditions of the rockers. Additionally it eases the transition to the rhythm devils. "Space" comes and goes with a flash, and we're given life lessons courtesy of "The Wheel." Uh oh, the effort's there... But the energy is beginning to sag. Yet something interesting happens, the pitter-pat of the cymbals, and then a very odd, intruiging intro to "Shakedown" occurs. It's as if they're in soundtrack, fooling around with the opening arrangement. It's mostly a timing issue, but Jerry's guitar sounds tinnier/higher than the norm. Anyways, it's a slow-burning, jammy, longer than usual intro...The participants have little interest in the song as it serves really as a vehicle for Jerry to elicit some call and responses from what soon will be an ex-partner of his. Attiudinally, I'm harkening back to the spacier sections of '74 shows. The "Playing Reprise" comes from out of nowhere. It's standard despite an elongated mild cymbal-fest at the end. "Sugar" gently rocks out. oooo, nice whooo-out by donna in the bridge. We encore with a strong "Saturday" forcefully led by the growling maestro and his shrieking ex-paramour.

And that's all... no final bow/curtain call for the departing Godchaux's... at least nothing on this tape. Admittedly, I was hoping for a piano man's choice/or at least a ballad with more weight. Any of the big three ('Wharf,' 'Stella,' or 'Black') would have been appropriate. And how could you Not encore with 'Breakdown' after 'Saturday?'

Don't get me wrong. This is a Very good show. But the lack of gravitas considering the importance behind this gig concerns me. Feelings may coarsen over time, and this band's interpersonal dynamic was obviously emotionally repressed, but that's No reason to Not pay public tribute to a couple who toured with you for the majority of the decade. I'm left with the sensation, "That's it?," and I'm writing this 26 years, 4 months and 4 days from its inception. A haunting disappointment- Keith never recovered and Donna toiled her way into Christian obscurity. This is Not the venue to continue my rant, But, for a band that truthfully conveys the wide spectrum of emotional/spiritual life through their songs, this show's lack of recognizing the significance of what should be a Grand send-off would have let any wise prognosticator to view into his crystal ball and fear that this band was Not yet through with the ides of tragedy.

The Day I was born the Dead blessed us with this show that is absolutely rocking. Being Keith and Donna last show, they went off in ways ive never heard on tape before. i give it a 10 out of 10 rating. I was lucky enough to see the Dead three times before jerry left us and they have been my musical inspiration growing up. I love what this site is doing, and i thank the people keeping the music lossless and available for my children to listen to, as i am expecting my first child in just a few weeks

A MUST HEAR

OK, I'm not going to say this is the best show the Band ever played, but it is my FAVORITE show all in all (yes, ever). As one of the prior reviews stated, they are playing really fast and yes, the first set is better then the second.

I've listened to this show several times while have "the experience" and believe me it does not dissappoint. The Greatest Story has got to be the best ever - Jerry works the wah wah pedal with such skill to make any wall melt.

Yes the quality is somewhat lacking but good equalization does help. Whoever said the word "vault" I would love to see this one 'officially' released. For now, do yourself a favor and download this copy.

If this is the show I'm thinking it is, it's Keith and Donna's last show. Also, this was a fund raiser for Tom Haydens political/social organization, the Campaign for Economic Democracy. 'Hosted' by Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden. They showed the movie "Fun with Dick and Jane" before the concert. Set one absolutely took off right from the start with Greatest Story Ever Told. Big energy and upbeat songs, one after another. Band solid, tight and seemed to be enjoying themselves. In retrospect, one sees how they wanted to give the Godchaux's a hell of a send off. I remember Lazy Lightening/ Supplication as sssssmokin'! Another historical piece worth having. Excellent energy and playing. Four stars. PS- soon after this show, Rolling Stone did a piece on Tom and Jane, and their campaign and in it they discuss a 'cute', family moment where Jane Fonda, at this very show, is trying to explain to her daughter how come Deadheads are the way they are. Jane NEVER got it, for reals...

Overall, first set is pretty good, with a great Lazy lightning>Supplication. It sounds like they lose steam on the second set, which sounds disjointed, tired.

Definitely not a must have.

This is a very hot show with Jerry coming out swinging - lazy lightning>supp may be one of the best ever and other cool little surprises - Listen up!

Jerry's on fire, I thought the show needed to be pitch corrected but they are playing soooo fast, tons of energy.

Definitly this show needs a quality upgrade...
this is Not a reel master as purported. Multiple cassette generations are in there

...Vault?

I'll keep looking, but I have yet to find a Supplication as inventive as this one. What a weave! Garcia is in top form for the entire concert, lots of thought-out phrasing. Check out Greatest Story e.g.

BTW: has anyone else noticed that LLR fades out after 6:24, before the song reaches its climax? or was it just my download (zipmp3vbr)?

This show fell on the heels of the Winterland closing so all of us bay area Deadheads were pretty psyched when this gig was announced. What I remember more than anything is that it rained like hell while lined up outside the gig and once we were let in, water was everywhere inside the venue. As temps rose, so did a steam-like fog. Hanoi Jane and Tom Hayden were there to shill for their cause(it was a "Rock For Life" environmental cancer fund benefit) and the crowd was fired up for some R & R and yelling for "Jerry" and "Dark Star" etc. Jane was visibly rattled by the lack of interest in what she had to say. A somewhat current Jane movie w/George Segal(sorry, can't remember the title) was played on a big screen lowered from the stage.
The Dead's set was long and full of tunes, many that hadn't been played on the west coast in some time. Listening to the show all the years later, it seems the band was somewhat tired and uninspired. Donna was especially out of it. Shortly after this gig, it was announced in the local newspaper that K & D had departed from the band. I wasn't surprised. Overall, this isn't a must have.

Should also note that Jane Fonda was there and I remember she showed a movie or film of some sort before the band played. Anyone have more info? I took my friend to this as his first show and he never looked back.

I'm surprised this show isn't talked about much with people I talk to. Jerry Freaks on that thing he plays, hotter then angus young. Great show. I think it's a must.....Shakedown speed up is real fun, Greastest story solo jerry is hot. Like it was his last show. Enough said.
Great sound......

Peace
also check out 10-27-79 for big Bass

"Rock for Life" benefit. noted on calendars as
K&D's last show. Terrific show from the first
note, still holds up great. Interesting songlist
and great performance. One of the best first sets,
and the second is great too.

....it should be noted