“There Is NOTHING like a Grateful Dead concert!”
Grateful Dead, Uptown Theatre, Chicago, IL
December 5, 1979
Matrix
SBD -> Cassette Master -> Dat (44.1k) -> Data DVR
Recordist unknown
All Transfers and Mastering By Charlie Miller
Master Audience Cassette; 2 Sennheiser 421s + Sennheiser 441
Recording by Ira Frisch, Transfer and SHN encoding by David Minches
Matrix by Hunter Seamons using Final Cut Pro (FLAC > AIFF > Final Cut w/couple areas of EQ >
AIFF CD tracking via Audacity > FLAC16 via xACT)
This recording would easily pass for a studio release!
Disc 1 – Set 1:
1. tuning
2. Alabama Getaway >
3. Greatest Story Ever Told
4. Dire Wolf
5. Me And My Uncle >
6. Big River
7. Cold Rain And Snow
8. Easy To Love You >
9. Althea >
10. Lost Sailor >
11. Saint Of Circumstance
Disc 2 – Set 2:
1. tuning
2. Shakedown Street >
3. Samson And Delilah
4. Ship Of Fools
5. He’s Gone >
6. The Other One >
7. Drums >
Disc 3 – Set 2 conti’d.:
1. Space >
2. Black Peter >
3. I Need A Miracle >
4. Bertha >
5. Good Lovin’
Encore:
6. Johnny B. Goode
7. Don’t Ease Me In
These are the reviews from the matrix recording:
REVIEW: Amazing matrix
Hot, hot, hot show. No hyperbole necessary, just listen to this, you are in the the venue on a really good night with the Grateful Dead. Highest recommendation. Crank it up. My thanks for the great job on the mix on this one.
REVIEW: Extra Garcia Goodness!
It is easy to hear from this lovely matrix creation how “locked-in” the sound system was at that Uptown on this night. Garcia is obviously diggin’ it as he is not only singing with tender careful beauty but takes double-length solos in both ‘Ship of Fools’ and “He’s Gone’. I’m a Black Peter freak, and after repeated listening, it is definitely my favorite of the Brent-era. Then non-stop rockin’ until the finish line. Really, truly superb second set with all band members in psychedelic coil.
These reviews are from the Charlie Miller soundboard recording:
REVIEW: Awesome show!
I heard some highlights from this show on the GD Hour years ago. I recorded the show on tape but lost it on tour. This is the best Shakedown I’ve ever heard and the jam outta He’s Gone rolls out! The Other One and Drumz are also choice. People need to check this show out!
REVIEW: “Old School” Samson & Delilah
I don’t know it its a mistake or what, but Weir brings back the chorus verse before the lyrics, like all the other pre-Brent versions. Never heard that with Brent, so maybe a mistake, maybe just a thoughtless moment of spontaneous improvisation. Not that big of a deal, just worth pointing out. Black Peter is one of the better versions I have heard. Jerry croons in the end making it an exceptionally passionate version. This is not a traditional five star show, and is certainly overshadowed by 12.1 & 12.26, because they are better played. There are flubs in the playing. I’m giving this a five star because of originality in playing, nice long jams in He’s Gone and Other 1, even if they are mellow, still well taken. No “Space” segment in this show after drums, and Hart sits in with what sounds like Garcia and Brent. Good good stuff. This is a Jerry led show in terms of energy and flow of playing. Great show BTW. Thanks again Mr. Miller. Love these Winter 79′ shows!
REVIEW: Charlie Miller
Just revisited this site recently after downloading hundreds of hours of music ten or more years ago.
Thanks to Charlie Miller for devoting his time in his pursuit of this music…a hero to those of us who are
on the receiving end. Would love to hug that brother and tell him thanks in person….very nice set.
REVIEW: De-Jah-Vous
I do believe i have commented on this ship of fools before, maybe different source. wonderful extra long solo, nice Jerry.
REVIEW: Mr. Charlie Miller does it again….
Now put this in your ear and smoke it. Yeah, much love for 73 and 74 but in 78 and 79 there are some
burners. This is one of them. Brent especially is on the money tonight, not much Bob screaming and
Jerry is running up and down the frets like a man on a mission. I do not review many shows, but having seen the Dead over 100 times, and missing those days like crazy sometimes feel the need to poke my head out of the sand. Kids, listen to this and smile. And of course Mr. Miller, wherever you are, thank you! Your work has made my day countless times. Take care all and God Bless the Grateful Dead.
REVIEW: Need to slow down? Here’s your show!
I don’t know if I have ever encountered a show that slowed the music down for soooooooo much of both sets! Check out the 11+ minute Althea, just note after note after note. The Shakedown is just as mellow, Brent throws in some of Cape Cod-style funk and then Sampson rocks, of course. But Jerry’s back with Ship of Fools into He’s Gone. The Other One brings it up a bit, but out of drums into Black Peter! Jerry, what are you telling us? It’s a great show, beautiful Mr. Miller sound. Just a totally unique vibe to this show. Jerry was. going. real. slow. Love it!
REVIEW: bread crumb
I don’t usually write specifically about an individual show, so much as the impression that it makes on
me, but this is actually a quite extraordinary effort. There is an elevated energy running through the band that is evident throughout the show – Jerry even goes a little scat in Black Peter – making it well worth listening to. The jam from He’s Gone to the Other One is particularly interesting. It might be the best show if its era without a scarlet > fire or estimated > eyes.
These reviews are from other recording:
REVIEW: Don’t tell me this town
Some great energy this night particularly with Shakedown, Hes gone and Black Peter. Brent streams
seemlessly into and out of some of the older tunes. Nice punch opening with Alabama and a cruising
first set. Second set is fuller, cheers to another wonderful show.
“Today’s Dead Tomorrow”, Upcoming Gig Events
As always, verify with the venue…
Kettle Of Fish:
Siesta Key Oyster Bar, Wed., Dec 7th, 7:00 p.m.
5238 Ocean Blvd, Sarasota, 346-5443
Marina Jack’s Patio Bar, Thurs., Dec. 8th, 6:00 p.m.
2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota, 365-4232
Clancy’s Irish Sports Pub & Grill, Fri. Dec. 9th, 6:00 p.m.
6218 Cortez Rd., Bradenton, 794-2489
kid red & friends:
Munchies 420 Cafe, Sat., Dec. 10th, 5:30 – 10:00 p.m.
6639 Superior Ave., Sarasota, 929-9893
The Myakka Band:
VFW Post #9226, Sat., Dec. 10th, 6:00 – 10:00 pm,
3511 12th St. East, Ellenton, 729-8535
Ober Rivers and His D.U.I.s:
Mike Pizza Benefit
P Man’s Classic Cycle Paint, Sat., Dec. 10th, 2:00 p.m.
721 7th Ave. W., Bradenton,
Music starts at 3:00 p.m. Schedule:
Sunset Ryders 3:00 – 3:45
Jason Haram 4:00 – 5:00
The Distractions 5:15 – 6:15
Ober Rivers & His D.U.I.s 6:30 – 7:15
Michael Mac Band 7:30 – 8:30
License to Chill 8:45 – 10:00
Schmitz Brothers Band:
Porsches in the Park, Sat., Dec. 10th, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
St. Armand’s Circle, Sarasota
Casey Key Fish House, Sat., Dec. 10th, 3:00 p.m.
801 Blackburn Point Rd., Osprey, 966-1901
Ship Of Fools:
Gator Club, Sun., Dec. 11th, 8:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.
1490 Main St, Sarasota, 366-5969
The Blue Rooster:
Mon., Dec. 5th, Monday Jazz with Steve Arvey, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Tues., Dec 6th, Lauren Mitchell Duo, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Wed., Dec. 7th, Bryan Lee “Braille Blues Daddy”, 8:00 p.m.
Thurs., Dec. 8th, Betty Fox Band, 7:30 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 9th, Have Gun Will Travel, 8:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 10th, Doug Deming & The Jewel Tones, 8:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 11th, Truality Gospel Brunch, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Ben Prestage, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
1525 Fourth St., Sarasota, 388-753
Sarasota Folk Club:
This month’s Sailing Squadron concert is Monday, Dec. 19th, “Holiday Of Song”.
Concert starts at 7:15 with no open mic.
1717 Ken Thompson Pkwy. 388-2355
For all information regarding the Sarasota Folk Club, go to their website:
http://www.sarasotafolk.org/