“There is NOTHING like a Grateful Dead concert!”
Grateful Dead
Onondaga County War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, N.Y.
May 17, 1981
FOB Audience Cassette; Sennheiser 421 mics > Sony TC-D5M
Thanks to Frank Streeter for the master recording
Transfer by Charlie Miller, Mastered by Scott Clugston
A superb audience recording by an expert recordist, transfered and mastered by two experts!
Powerful evening, and VERY electric!
Dis 1 – Set 1:
1. Alabama Getaway >
2. Promised Land
3. Peggy O
4. Mama Tried >
5. Mexicali Blues
6. They Love Each Other
7. New Minglewood Blues
8. Candyman >
9. Looks Like Rain
10. Big Railroad Blues >
11. Little Red Rooster
Disc 2 – Set 1 cont’d.:
1. China Cat Sunflower >
2. I Know You Rider
Set 2:
3. tuning
4. Cold Rain & Snow >
5. Samson & Delilah
6. Ship Of Fools
Disc 3 – Set 2 cont’d.:
1. Estimated Prophet >
2. He’s Gone >
3. The Other One >
4. Drums >
5. Space >
6. Saint Of Circumstance >
7. Wharf Rat >
8. Sugar Magnolia
Encore:
9. Satisfaction
Only review from this recording:
REVIEW: Return of the Dead
After their 1978 show the city banned the Dead from playing there until this show. The band was
psyched to be back & it sure sounded like they wanted to show it. I got to patch into Frank’s deck for
this show. Still sounds as crispy as I remember. Great set list!
Reviews from other recordings:
REVIEW: Yah!
Yes this is smoking! Thanks Charlie!
REVIEW: Fire!
They are on FIRE!!!!!!
REVIEW: Thanks
I have been looking for a decent recording of this show. I was there and Jerry was sharp that evening.
For historical accuracy the venue is called the Onondaga County War Memorial Auditorium.
REVIEW: Credit where credit is due
Excellent audience recording of quite a fine show. Thirteen songs in the first set and a genuinely
jammed second set. Pretty tight top to bottom. The Boys pretty quickly reached a peak with Brent
and this is a show from that plateau- he is fully present for this performance.
REVIEW: Great set-closer
The songs from The Other One to Satisfaction are one of my favorite power segments from the early
’80s. It’s incredibly energetic. Bobby is on absolute fire throughout. His vocal improv starts getting
wacky during the chorus of Saint of Circumstance and culminating in Satisfaction when he riles up
the crowd before they go home and throws in a few non sequitur ad libs: “You’re gonna burn. You’re
gonna burn and you’re gonna twist and you’re gonna turn.” What does he mean by that? During
Satisfaction, he tells the crowd, “I need someone to help me now.” And they start belting out the “I
can’t get no” lines like it’s nobody’s business. I’d give it five stars for performance.
REVIEW: Don’t Let The Previous Night Overshadow This Stellar Show
Unfortunately, the previous night at Cornell gets all the attention. However, I enjoy listening to the
first set of this show more than Cornell – way more. The band is on for the whole 13 song set, but
particularly from Minglewood through the end of the set. Candyman, Looks Like Rain, Red Rooster
(with Brent scatting), Railroad Blues and China/Rider are the best versions I have seen of the 100 or
so shows attended. I remember being shocked when they played Railroad Blues so late in the set, and
even further shocked when it didn’t end the set, which was almost a full 90 minutes long. Sadly, the
second set does not quite live up to the first set, and I am not even sure why – the song selection is
good and played well, but something is missing. The sound is excellent. From what I recall the
ceiling was very low in this venue and there was not alot of room for the sound, so it kind of came
straight at you.
REVIEW: Dead at the War Memorial
I hadn’t gone to the previous night so I can only say this: I just remember being behind the SB in the
unofficial taping section & had brought my sister who was still in HS to her first show. Not sure she
even to this day understands what it was all about. It was great show for me. That Lil Red Rooster
kicks it….I feel like this is the point in history where Brent starts taking over that song….& making it
his own. I love it!!! I also think my Audience Master sounds better than this one. I also just
remembered stayin up all night in line waiting to get tickets in like January or february in Downtown
Sybericuse & how cold it was…..I also think we had a late spring snow before the show…
REVIEW: Dude
The first set is epic 81′. Goes on and on and the Alabama>Promised opener sets the pace. Just when
you think Bobby is going to say “We’ll be back in just a bit ya’all hang lose” they break out the
China>Rider set closer. Love Brent’s playing in this show. Classic Dead
REVIEW: One of the best I’d been to
My brother and I were in Brockport at the time and took a chance going to Syracuse without tickets.
We bought two tickets outside and when we got to the gate the ticket taker told us one of the tickets
was no good. He let us in anyway. The local radio station gave out stickers which I put on my guitar.
I have that sticker to this day. Glad to be able to revisit a great show.
REVIEW: awesome show
One of the earliest and best shows I ever got on tape. The energy on Sampson is unparalleled to this
day. Absolute smoker and very very unique show IMO!!!
“Today’s Dead Tomorrow”, Upcoming Gig Events
As always, verify with the venue…
Remember, folks, to call the venue to see if they are indeed open in the first place, and the event is going on as scheduled, and what protocols are in place.
Kettle Of Fish:
Siesta Key Oyster Bar, Wed., May 19th, 7:00 p.m.
5238 Ocean Blvd, Sarasota, 346-5443
Pop’s Sunset Grill, Sat., May 22nd, 6:00 p.m.
112 Circuit Road, Nokomis, 488-3177
Stottlemyer’s Smokehouse, Sun., May 23rd, 4:00 p.m.
19 East Rd., Sarasota, 312-5969
Stumble Creek:
Jiggs Landing Outpost, Sat., May 22nd, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
6106 63rd St. E., Bradenton, 320-8811
The Blue Rooster:
Tues., May 18th, Suitcase Full Of Blues, 7:30 p.m.
Wed., May 19th, Al Fuller Blues Jam, 7:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Thurs., May 13th, Mike Zito, 7:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Fri., May 20th, RJ Howson, 8:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Sat., May 21st, Frank Bang 3, 8:00 – 11:00 p.m.
1525 Fourth St., Sarasota, 388-7539
J.R.’s Old Packinghouse Cafe:
Mon., May 17th, Alvis Brothers Band, 600 – 9:00 p.m.
Tues., May 18th, Doug Burns, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Wed., May 19th, Chris Connoly, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Thurs., May 20th, Al Owen, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Fri., May 21st, Soundwave, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Sat., May 22nd, Mike Merola & The Allstars, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
987 South Packinghouse Road, Sarasota, 371-9358
Fogartyville Community Media & Arts Center:
The Wandering Hours
Sun., May 23rd, 8:00 p.m.
$12 Members • $15 General Public
Tickets can only be purchased in sets of 2 and 4, due to socially distanced seating.
This concert may be performed on either the indoor stage or the outdoor stage.
Jalen Baker Quartet
Mon., May 24th, 8:00 p.m.
$15 members • $18 general public
Tickets can only be purchased in sets of 2 and 4, due to socially distanced seating.
This concert will be performed on the indoor stage with indoor and outdoor seating.
525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota, 894-6469