“There Is NOTHING like a Grateful Dead concert!”
Grateful Dead, Rutgers Athletic Center, New Brunswick, NJ
May 15, 1981
SBD > Master Cassette > Reel > Dat (48k)
All Transfers and Mastering By Charlie Miller
Takes a few minutes for them to get the soundboard mix right…
Disc 1 – Set 1:
1. tuning
2. Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo >
3. Franklin’s Tower >
4. New Minglewood Blues
5. Dire Wolf
6. Cassidy
7. Candyman >
8. Little Red Rooster
9. Jack-A-Roe
10. El Paso
Disc 2 – Set 1 cont’d.:
1. Ramble On Rose >
2. Looks Like Rain >
3. Don’t Ease Me In
Set 2:
4. Scarlet Begonias >
5. Fire On The Mountain >
6. Estimated Prophet >
7. Eyes Of The World >
8. Drums >
9. Space >
Disc 3 – Set 2 cont’d.:
1. Not Fade Away >
2. Black Peter >
3. Sugar Magnolia
Encore:
4. U.S. Blues
REVIEW: Lightning
I vividly remember the lightning flashes through the skylight during LL Rain! There was almost a
dialogue between the band, audience, and electrical storm that really upped the energy. The SBD
sounds fantastic with crisp energetic playing through the whole show. 12 song first set (sweet!) with a
rippin scar/fire/estimated/eyes! How bout the “don’t give up the fight” lines from Bob (Marley) during
Estimated. Right around Black Peter time, I worked my way up front stage left…really, really close to
Garcia. I was basically touching the stage about 10 ft from Jer…and feeling slightly overwhelmed and
almost unnerved. You see it was really loud, and those notes Ol Jer was hitting were more than just
notes, well they were waves. You could really see these waves rolling out and the ground was, well
rippling and buckling almost…good times! After that I generally found myself drawn to Jerry side for
shows. I’ll never forget that raw energy coming from Garcia and his guitar.
REVIEW: Awesome Show
This is another great ’81 show–very well played, Jerry’s voice sounds good and Brent is by this time
well integrated into the flow. For my money he is unquestionably the best all-around keyboard player
(i.e., singing included) the Dead had over the years and really added a lot to their sound. The second set
is quintessential high-quality Dead with a rockin’ US Blues to close.
REVIEW: Great place to be on a rainy night
As I listen to this show some 32 years later, I can still remember the lighting flashes in the skylight
during Looks Like Rain (as mentioned by another reviewer). It was one of those magical moments that
pushed the audience and band. The set list is very typical for this time period (earning only 4 stars).
Nothing special but all played very well. Glad I was there.
REVIEW: bread crumb
There are 27 Scarlet>Fire, Estimated>Eyes. The songs were played together 35 times, but those 4 in a
row, are the lesser number. In the early ’80s, there was a holy grail quality to that run of songs, which is
interesting because that is the period during which most of those runs occured.
REVIEW: Eyes Of the World
Pretty cool intro into Eyes…I like the musical figure that Jerry plays and Brent picks up…different and
unusually tasty.
REVIEW: strangest of places
listening while working today, not able to fully engaged. Generally view 80s don’t ease as a bit of a
throwaway, “let’s get backstage.” But damn if Jerry’s rip through the second instrumental break (starts
2.08 or so) didn’t straighten my spine and yank my attention.
REVIEW: Marley Reference during Estimated
Bob Marley had died a few days before this show and Bobby sings a snippet of Get Up, Stand Up as a
tribute during Estimated. Fun show, and yes, the lightning was cool.
“Today’s Dead Tomorrow”, Upcoming Gig Events
As always, verify with the venue…
“Bob’s Birthday Bash” – A Party For Bob Dylan
Fogartyville Community Media & Arts Center, Sun., May 21st, 6:40 p.m.
525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota, 894-6469
Dr Mush – 6:00 p.m.
Ship of Fools – 6:40 p.m.
David Smash – 7:35 p.m.
Steve and Rebecca – 8:00 p.m.
Roy Handcuff – 8:30 p.m.
Kettle Of Fish:
Siesta Key Oyster Bar, Wed., May 17th, 7:00 p.m.
5238 Ocean Blvd, Sarasota, 346-5443
Marina Jack’s Patio Bar, Thurs., May 18th, 6:00 p.m.
2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota, 365-4232
Hoosier Bar and Grill, Fri., May 19th, 9:00 p.m.
163 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey, 966-1251
Stottlelmeyer’s Smokehouse, Sun., May 21st, 2 or 3:00 p.m.
19 East Rd., Sarasota, 312-5969
Ship Of Fools:
D.Coy Ducks Bar & Music, Sat. May 20th, 8:00 p.m.
5410 Marina Dr., Holmes Beach, 778-5888
“Bob’s Birthday Bash” – A Party For Bob Dylan
Fogartyville Community Media & Arts Center, Sun., May 21st, 6:40 p.m.
525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota, 894-6469
The Blue Rooster:
Tues., May 16th, Suitcase Full Of Blues, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Wed., May 17th, Dean Johanesen, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Thurs., May 18th, AJ and The Automatics, 7:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Fri., May 19th, Ari and The Alibis, 8:00 – 11:30 p.m.
Sat., May 20th, Big Al and The Heavyweights, 8:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Sun., May 21st, Truality, Noon – 2:30 p.m.
1525 Fourth St., Sarasota, 388-7539
J.R.’s Old Packinghouse Cafe: (all shows start at 7:00 p.m.)
Mon., May 15th, Open Mic with Rick Alvis
Tues., May 16th, Rick Miller
Wed., May 17th, Stretch’s Sunday Electric Jam at Aces
Thurs., May 18th, Ted Stevens & The Doo-Shots
Fri., May 19th, Seamus McCarthy Band
Sat., May 20th, Mumbo Jumbo
987 South Packinghouse Road, 371-9358
Sarasota Folk Club:
This month’s Sarasota Sailing Squadron concert is Mon., May 22nd(NOT the last Monday, due to Memorial Day each year), “Love & Peace Hootenanny”, with no open mic that night.
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/
