“There Is NOTHING like a Grateful Dead concert!”
Grateful Dead, Berkeley Community Theater, Berkeley, CA
8/14/71
SBD: MR->1 cassette gen.->DAT->SHN->CDR
originally via M. Woyczynski.
One of my earliest cassette additions, and still one of my faves…
Disc 1 – Set 1:
1. Bertha
2. Me & My Uncle
3. Mr. Charlie
4. Sugaree
5. El Paso
6. Big Railroad Blues
7. Big Boss Man
8. Brokedown Palace
9. Playing In The Band
10. Hard To Handle
11. Cumberland Blues
12. Loser
13. The Promised Land
Disc 2 – Set 2:
1. //Truckin’ >
2. Drumz >
3. The Other One >
4. Jam >
5. The Other One
6. Me & Bobby McGee
7. Sugar Magnolia
8. Not Fade Away >
9. Goin’ Down The Road, Feelin’ Bad >
10. Not Fade Away
Encores:
11. Happy Birthday David Crosby
12. Johnny B. Goode *
13. // Uncle John’s Band *
* With David Crosby
REVIEW: Don’t Miss This!
I have had 8/15 for some time and loved it, now it’s nice to have both nights, and this one is now my
favorite. With the show starting with a Bertha, Uncle, Mr.Charlie, Sugaree lineup, it’s beginning to look,
and sound like a Europe 72 show. And with a Brokedown, Loser, Hard to Handle and Cumberland to
follow -you’re hooked! Even the Playin is starting to get, well, jammy! Listening now to the
Truckin>Other One>Jam. Wow. the boys are in Berkeley and preaching to the choir. They blast out of
the gate like it’s 1969, then space it out to mellowville with Jerry leading the way with sparkling jazzy
non-wah riffs. Do you hear the China Cat theme halfway thru? Quickly morphs into a prototype MLB
jam before turning dark and modal again then thundering back to the verse. Definitely “burning crater of
my mind” territory! Two discs of pure Dead Magic. Highly recommended.
REVIEW: That BCT sound
There is something unique about the way the shows from Berkeley Community Theater sound. Can’t put
my finger on it, but it’s a good thing! This is an excellent show, and even though I prefer the 15th over
this one, I wouldn’t(didn’t )hesitate to grab this too. Hard To Handle is definately one of the hotter
versions out there, and Cumberland ain’t bad either. I think they played some of their best shows with
this original 5 man line-up in the post-Fillmore/pre-Keith era. A small sliver of time in a huge run. If you
like 1971, you’ll love this. 4 stars, because I gave the 15th 5.
REVIEW: This is the one.
Between 1967 and 1976 I attended more Bay Area Dead shows than I can remember. From the Polo
Fields to Kezar Stadium and most points in between. I can honestly say that of all the recorded shows
I’ve listened to, this one embodies the the sound of the Grateful Dead better than any other. I was at this
show and it felt different because of the acoustics and comfortable assigned seating. No band delivered
the sound quality of the Dead at this time in history, and no bass player ever sounded like Phil Lesh live.
This recording captures that “feel,” the physical sensation that is the Grateful Dead sound.
REVIEW: Outstanding
From beginning to end a very strong, sometimes stellar show. Hard To Handle and Cumberland Blues
are among my favorite versions of those songs ever played. 8/06’s Hard To Handle is also outstanding. I
love the different treatment El Paso gets, much slower and close to the original than they would play it
later, but it has a really nice power and feel to it. Seriously fine playing by all but Jerry and Phil really
stick out. Man they were on this night. In fact all of August ’71 is fantastic. ’71 was such a crazy year
from Mickeys’ leaving and the raw swagger of the earlier part of the year to the addition of Keith in late
Sept (I think). BTW I love the two keyboard sound of Pigpen and Keith. Well it seems by August they’d
more than weathered Mickey’s loss and the Dead were nothing less than outstanding!
REVIEW: Hot 71
I have about 1/3 of the 71 shows on disk, and this one is in my top ____ list. Blazing lead from JerG will
remind you of the blistering sound coming out of your obligatory Ladies and Gentleman set. Combine
this with 8-6-71 and you start to feel what 71 is all about.
REVIEW: Phil Drops Bombs!
Phil is incredible in both of these shows! Heavy, Heavy Bass licks!
Another Fine Day in The People’s Republic!
REVIEW: Essentially Oiled
The essence of the Dead is all-right here. This is it. Whatever it is. This show reminds me of a clenched
fist. Phil Lesh is God.
REVIEW: Memory lane
This is something I never even dreamed of finding. On this day, my very first summer in Canada and the
U.S, I was walking in the street in San Fransisco and met these two young guys who said, there´s a good
concert tonight on the other side, why don´t you come along… and I went, of course, and saw this
Grateful Dead show in Berkeley.. truly amazing what you can find on the net almost 40 years later.
Where did all those years go? – The music is fresh as ever. All the best from Finland
REVIEW: High Energy Show
I love the clarity of this soundboard with both Jerry & Phil front and center. All of the songs are well
done, especially the Pig tunes considering his health issues at the time. The Other One jam has hints of
MLB and then Feeling Groovy and then Spanish Jam. Top it off with a great NFA-GDTRFB and you
easily have a 5 star show.
REVIEW: The Day I Was Born
This show was played on the day I was born, and they actually play “Happy Birthday.” While you may
not care, I find that incredibly cool.
REVIEW: Classic Dead
This is a high quality, well played show. ’71 was still a time of Dead innocence and growth. The sounds,
songs, and audience experiences were not yet stale. Jerry’s background vocals on Bobby McGee say it all
for me. Passion, muscianship, companionship, the desire to put out music that reached the sun, stars, and
our souls. I miss those times.
“Today’s Dead Tomorrow”, Upcoming Gig Events
As always, verify with the venue…
Kettle Of Fish:
Siesta Key Oyster Bar, Wed., Aug. 16th, 7:00 p.m.
5238 Ocean Blvd, Sarasota, 346-5443
Marina Jack’s Patio Bar, Thurs., Aug. 17th, 6:00 p.m.
2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota, 365-4232
Beach Club Siesta Key, Fri., Aug. 18th, 8:30 p.m.
5151 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key, 349-6311
D.Coy Ducks Bar & Music, Sat., Aug. 19th, 10:00 p.m.
5410 Marina Dr., Holmes Beach, 778-5888
Ober Rivers and His D.U.I.s:
Cortez Clam Factory, Sat., Aug. 19th, 8:00 p.m.
10104 Cortez Rd. W., Bradenton, 798-9898
Schmitz Brothers Band:
Old School Bar & Grill, Sat., Aug. 19th, 7:00 p.m.
1991 Main St., Sarasota, 363-7744
Snook Haven, Sun., Aug. 20th, 12:00 p.m.
5000 East Venice Ave., Venice, 485-7221
The Blue Rooster:
Tues., Aug. 15th, Hot Club SRQ, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Wed., Aug. 16th, Al Fuller Blues Jam, 7:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Thurs., Aug. 17th, Shantel Norman, 7:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Fri., Aug. 18th, Ben Prestage, 8:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 19th, Gypsy Elise and the Royal Blues, 8:00 – 11:00 p.m.
1525 Fourth St., Sarasota, 388-7539
J.R.’s Old Packinghouse Cafe: (all shows start at 7:00 p.m.)
Mon., Aug. 14th, Open Mic with Rick Alvis
Tues., Aug. 15th, John Howard & The Smokin’ J’s
Wed., Aug. 16th, Stretch-N-Frinz
Thurs., Aug. 17th, Ted Stevens & The Doo-Shots
Fri., Aug. 18th, Heather Downie Band
Sat., Aug. 19th, Mumbo Jumbo
987 South Packinghouse Road, 371-9358
Sarasota Folk Club:
This month’s Sarasota Sailing Squadron concert is Mon., Aug. 28th, Rick Hardeman.
Open mic at 7:15 p.m., concert at 8:30
1717 Ken Thompson Pkwy. 388-2355
For all information regarding the Sarasota Folk Club, go to their website:
http://www.sarasotafolk.org/