“It is said that, if you lined up all those who have ever been to a Grateful Dead concert head-to-toe, the line would stretch around the moon, and about halfway back. And nobody would complain!”
Due to the virus, WSLR is temporarily closed to live programmers, so until things start to return to normal, I will be featuring a show(in order), from last year’s broadcasts:
Grateful Dead
Civic Center, Providence, R.I.
May 13, 1981
SBD > Master Cassette > Reel > Dat (48k)
All Transfers and Mastering By Charlie Miller
Disc 1 – Set 1:
- Wang Dang Doodle tease
- Jack Straw
- Tennessee Jed >
- C C Rider
- Friend Of The Devil
- Mama Tried >
- Mexicali Blues
- Bird Song >
- Let It Grow >
- Deal
Disc 2 – Set 2:
- Finiculi Finicula
- Samson And Delilah
- Terrapin Station >
- Lost Sailor >
- Saint Of Circumstance >
- Drums >
Disc 3 – Set 2 cont’d.:
- Space >
- Iko Iko >
- I Need A Miracle >
- Stella Blue >
- Good Lovin’
Encore:
6 – Brokedown Palace
Considering the number of recordings in the Archive, this is a very under-listened-to show. Reviews from this recording:
REVIEW: Solid ’81 show.
This is a really nice ’81 with some definite terrific moments. In particualar…
First Set: CC Rider, while not a favorite of mine, caught my attention as a pretty hot rendition. Friend of the
Devil is highlight of the show. Jerry rips it to shreds and from the first note to the last it pleases the ears.
Mexacali, Bird Song and Let it Grow all have real nice guitar leads.
Second Set: Terrapin nice. Lost/Saint is really tight and strong. The Stella Blue is primo.Overall, a very good ’81
performance with excellent recording quality. The more I listen to this year, the more I like it.
REVIEW: iko iko ah day
I would add that the iko out’v space is very nice.
REVIEW: primed Jerry, but to what effect
Jerry was feeling quite well, but he wasn’t working with a whole lot of support. Let It Grow, Deal and Terrapin
are highlights.
REVIEW: Bird Song>LIG>Deal
This sequence is excellent, with some fine playing by all. The Bird Song in particular is a standout, rivaling
some of the fantastic versions from March. Though the jam is a bit on the short side, the flow and energy are
palpable, with Garcia weaving his usual melodic magic.
Reviews from other recordings:
REVIEW: My First Dead Show–Thank you!
Was just turned on to the scope of this site and holy crap: This was my first Dead show. I was 16 and sitting in
the taper’s section, but never got a tape…Thank you so much!
REVIEW: Very tight, high energy show!
1981 was never one of my favorite years, but this one’s a keeper. Nice first set, with excellent versions of CC
Rider & FOTD. Jerry is in fine form on Bird Song, and the set really ends up on a high note with Let It Grow
and Deal. Many shows I have just can’t regain the high energy level after drums/space. The
Iko>Miracle>Stella>Good Lovin are exceptional. Oh by the way, the sound quality is excellent.
If you’re really into the 79-81 sound, you’ll probably think this one’s a 5 star!
REVIEW: a little secret
1981 is the most underrated year in GD history. check into it.
REVIEW: Very nice
Quality of this one is top notch. Aiko Aiko didn’t get many in 81 so is outstanding for that alone