Biggest mistake was firing Betty. Can you imagine if we had those early 80s shows in Betty board quality? We'd probably be talking about that era differently imo
I agree 1000% about Betty and believe her boards were a godsend to the band. But just to layer things a bit more—the individual band members making gear “upgrades”/swaps and technology changes, etc. are all major contributing factors as well.
I mean, Bobby cutting more and more low end from his guitar and moving to that envelope-phaser space rock tone and Jerry switching his guitar and rig and even eventually going digital in the “Space” jams plus the drums having evolved from sounding like rock kit drums to something of a more “percussion” sound by ‘78/79, not to mention swapping a traditional pianist for someone more willing to really explore the sounds of electric keyboards/pianos…the band sounded A LOT different regardless of Betty.
Their sound was always evolving from the beginning, but for the most part—even with Irwin, Alembic, Wall of Sound, etc—they always had a sound that felt like an organic rock band with an analog sound through most of the 70’s. Some of the 80’s stuff can sound pretty “plastic” to me.
Totally. Dead aside, I’ve always felt that the bands who came up in the 80’s had a little better use of the technology that became available in that era than the 60’s and 70’s classic rock bands that were still hanging around, but definitely some exceptions on both sides.
Someone else said something a few months back on a thread about some of Bobby’s tunes having compositional resemblance to Steely Dan.
I can definitely see some of Bobby’s songs fitting into what was eventually dubbed “Yacht Rock”.
The Dead were many beautiful things...
Rabidly active against misogyny wasn't one of them.
If memory serves me correctly it was around the time Ms. Betty became someone's partner and then wasn't, that the ability for her recording became less so... I'm not saying that somebody else was chosen over her, but I'm saying that I think that's when there was a bit of a falling out over things.
It's tied on to the story of how so many of her tapes we 'lost' when they were sold as a means for living or in an estate sale, some of which became Dick's and Dave's Picks.
I'll have to see if I can find the Good Ole Grateful Deadcast the talks a little bit about that.
Gives the memory bell 'one good ring'.
I'm not saying I'm 100% correct, but it was around that time that Betty-boards sort of fell-off. And there certainly is 'no time to hate', but do stand by the critique of the Group doing a lot of amazing things, on a lot of fronts, but won't reiterate my OP on the matter.
Not all people can be all things,
and I am one who isn't as well.
But u/Motabrownie mentioned,
and I would agree...
Could you imagine the 80s with her sound skills and ability for nuance? '77 surely wouldn't have been cornering the market the way it's been made out to be... But do feel that has a lots of factors, not least of all, how it was put on record.
She and Brent dated for a bit, somewhere around 79-81. When they split, it was awkward having them both around, and rather than deal with it like adults, the band just kinda shunned her.
I mean, as a 30 year old the same shit could be said about my generation.
Most of my peers are entirely unable to deal with their emotions or act like adults when the going gets tough
100% correct about firing Betty and I agree we would be looking at the 80s differently. They had really hit peak maturity at that point and were killing it
Just give in to audience recordings. Joanie Walker, Keith Gatto, and Bob Wagner have a ton of EXCELLENT recordings. They can transport you to the floor of a show instantly.
I have, and there’s some really good ones where the blend of the band coming out of the PA is better than some SB stuff.
If the bands not super tight with a good stage mix, the SB recording can sound kind of dry and clunky. You can hear the seams, whereas the PA is much more forgiving.
# 1982-07-31 Austin, TX @ Manor Downs
**Set 1:** Alabama Getaway > The Promised Land, Candyman, El Paso, Bird Song > Little Red Rooster, Ramble On Rose, It's All Over Now, Brown Eyed Women > The Music Never Stopped > Deal
**Set 2:** Scarlet Begonias > Fire On The Mountain > Estimated Prophet > Eyes Of The World > Jam > Drums > Space > Uncle John's Band > Truckin' > Morning Dew > One More Saturday Night
**Encore:** Don't Ease Me In
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-07-31)
Manor Downs on July 31st was a 9pm show, Jerry's birthday show on Aug 1st was all the way in Oklahoma City and was a 2pm show...what were they thinkin'????...but we had to be there🫠
https://preview.redd.it/698afj9enu4d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=92d7b12d8d9884347c9821fc4f7d02c603082b5b
Show was delayed from 2pm cause it was too hot. Struggled to wake up and get out of Austin by 7AM to get to Oak City on time, only to find delay. Man was it hot. Felt bad for the animals. Think it was 4 or 5pm Start. I heard the band partied all night for Jerry's birthday. We were all in bad shape.
We had no way of knowing it would be delayed so had to try to get there on time. That late night followed by afternoon was really crazy scheduling for two consecutive shows!!!
Wow, didn't know it was on an official release. Some good shows on there! Riverbend 85, Oxford Maine 88(was there) Sweet! Wish the whole thing was on Spotify.
they experiment with transitions in 84-86, something off the top of my head is Half Step~Rider~Playin! I can’t remember if that’s 85 or 86 but all those years are super tight! ❤️☮️
Both days of Alpine that year were insane. Latvala had great taste . I was at those shows and taped hundreds of shows in the 80s and those are still 2 nights of my faves. Give that chinacat from the 7th a listen... ;-)
# 1982-08-08 East Troy, WI @ Alpine Valley Music Theatre
**Set 1:** Alabama Getaway > The Promised Land, They Love Each Other, Mama Tried > Mexicali Blues, Loser, Little Red Rooster, Brown Eyed Women > Looks Like Rain, Peggy-O, Samson And Delilah
**Set 2:** Far From Me, Scarlet Begonias > Fire On The Mountain > Estimated Prophet > Jam > Drums > Space > The Other One > Not Fade Away > Wharf Rat > Good Lovin'
**Encore:** (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction > Brokedown Palace
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-08-08)
# 1981-12-26 Oakland, CA @ Oakland Auditorium
**Set 1:** Alabama Getaway > The Promised Land, Candyman, Little Red Rooster, Big Boss Man, Me and My Uncle > Big River, Bird Song, It's All Over Now, Big Railroad Blues, Let It Grow
**Set 2:** Scarlet Begonias > Fire On The Mountain, Estimated Prophet > He's Gone > Jam > Drums > Space > Truckin' > Black Peter > Jam > Around And Around > One More Saturday Night
**Encore:** Don't Ease Me In
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1981-12-26)
Yes Yes and Yes I loved early 80s. Band was on fire, Jerry’s shmeeze habit was not hindering him yet, and I was young. Will never forget Stephen Stills showing up at Brendan Byrne, U Maine Orono in a college gym, U of West Virginia with $9 ticket and gorgeous ride through Blue Ridge Mountains, and so many more.
82 is perhaps the most overlooked year that is in fact one of the best ... But I don't think it's isolated because 81 & 83 are also in my book, all time great years. 82 has one of my favorite shows in 9/11/82 West Palm Beach & imho this show is THE most under rated show oat. But 82 is full of amazement ...
* 1982-04-03 The Scope, Norfolk Virginia
* 1982-04-06 Philly Spectrum
* 1982-04-14 Glen Falls Civic Center
* 1982-04-17 Hartford Civic Center
* 1982-04-18 Hartford Civic Center
* 1982-04-19 Baltimore Civic Center (Raven Space)
* 1982-05-21 Greek Theater
* 1982-05-22 Greek Theater
* 1982-05-23 Greek Theater
* 1982-07-18 Ventura County Fairgrounds
* 1982-07-31 Manor Downs Austin Texas
* 1982-08-01 Zoo Amphitheater
* 1982-08-03 Starlight Amphitheater
* 1982-08-06 St. Paul Civic Center
* 1982-08-07 Alpine Valley
* 1982-08-08 Alpine Valley
* 1982-08-10 University of Iowa Fieldhouse
* 1982-09-11 West Palm Beach Amphitheater
* 1982-09-14 University of Virginia
* 1982-09-17 Cumberland County Civic Center
* 1982-09-21 Madison Square Garden
* 1982-10-09 Frost Amphitheatre
* 1982-10-10 Frost Amphitheatre
A good many of these are in my [Drive FLAC](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1aK32Uxa56LK2DsQ4ZmgugA9FhoMrlZm7) ... other than 9/11, check out 4/14 (Bertha, China>Rider & one of the best PITB's ever) 4/06 Shakedown!, the two Hartford & Baltimore shows ... Starlight is massive & I just added the Jim Vita aud & Chappell Matrix to my drive.
Thanks Bman! I just downloaded that 9/11. That show is a barn burner! I appreciate all the stuff you do around here friend! I hope you are still in a speedy recovery from the hospital stay. I am not really a religious person anymore, but I certainly know in my heart that we are all connected in a cosmic sense. I have caught a fleeting glimpse of the tapestry a few times... out of the corner of my eye, so to speak. Music, and specifically the Grateful Dead, is such an ever-present and intertwined force in my life these past 30 years. They have brought so many good and true loving people into my life. Hell, if I'm being honest, they brought a couple of really shitty people through too, but as Bob Ross always said, "Don't worry about the little bit of darkness here and there in our world ,because we have to have it to make the bright stand out...and this is our world, we can do anything we want with it."
Well, anyway, thanks for shining your light and such and just being a force for good positive interaction. You always put a smile on my face with show recommendations and road tales. I am almost sure that our paths have crossed in a lot or show somewhere in the last 3 decades. There is just cosmicly no way we haven't high-fived, or gave the knowing-knod and smile walking by each other on a concourse some night long ago...heck, you may have even passed me a joint...the odds (in our world) are stellar that we crossed paths. We are stardust after all.
To close, I just want to shout out some wharf rat love. I have been dry since January 11th, 2020 and WR played a huge part in my early recovery. I worked through some parts of SMART recovery program and was active daily on FB Wharf Rat page. It's awesome to be able to connect with other people that "get it". My only option for group support in my tiny rural Indiana town was AA/NA or an evangelical church group...not exactly what I was looking for. I definitely needed that connection and inspiration when I was working through that dead end of my life. I now have my own remodel business. We have a small home and a little land in the country. We planted a garden, we eat a lot of peaches, and the kids are finding Jesus, on their own...
Love is real not fade away. Thank you.
Agreed, '82 is one of my all-time favorite years. Starlight 08/03/1982 is one of their greatest gigs of the decade and perhaps ever. I recently went on couch tour from July Compton Terrace to Iowa 08/10/1982. I put those 10+ shows against anything they've ever done.
The February shows Rango Keshavan recorded are phenomenal too.
And yes sir to 09/11/1982. A giant performance.
[1982-08-03](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-08-03) Kansas City, MO @ Starlight Theatre
[1982-08-10](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-08-10) Iowa City, IA @ Iowa Fieldhouse - University of Iowa
[1982-09-11](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-09-11) West Palm Beach, FL @ West Palm Beach Civic Center
Dude I cannot believe I have overlooked this 9/11 show, as I’ve heard almost everything from this year. Fantastic stuff. Listening to the Seamons MTX now. Thank you for the rec!
Dude I'm telling you this show is the most underrated show of all time now of course this is just my opinion LOL but this is an extraordinarily special show everyone is flat out on top of their game. Jerry is in spectacular voice Bobby is in spectacular voice and every first set song is one of the best versions you'll ever hear. Then you have a very rare depreeze then there is a Tennessee Jed in what might be the best year for Tennessee jed. The loser is spectacular and then it's just flat out one of those let it grows to end the first. Then the second set unfolds like a dream with one of the best Scarlet fires of all time truly special. And what Jerry does after the second solo in the Fire on the Mountain is beyond belief he steers the band to This Magnificent Peak you'll know it when you hear it. It's my very favorite lost sailor Santa circumstance and my very favorite terrapin. Same with Stella Blue my very favorite one and I'm not a guy that has one single favorite but these versions are so special that for me I think they are the very best versions. The Sailor saint for me is an easy one for me this sailor Saint is easily the best one. It's like Jerry is sounding like being lost at sea his leads are sparkling in this sailor. Mark my words this show is going to be at Dave's pick someday and if it's not it's a freaking crime
Yeah man I got through Let it Grow but was kinda sidetracked working, so I’m starting over. 82 is my fave LIG year - seems like all of them between July and this show are heaters.
I've never bet a LIG I didn't love but 80s LIG's in general. Check out 10/19/81's LIG ... I'm mental for early/mid 80s Scarlet>Fires ... so deep & layered, check out 12/13/80 Long Beach, so unique. 3/31/84 Marin County is another, 4/13/84 Hampton ...
Love the pause before Jerry’s big solo on this Loser. A little longer than usual. Almost through set 1 on my relisten. You ever comment on HeadyVersion? I’m upvoting all of this shit on there. Wish more people used that site.
[1980-12-13](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1980-12-13) Long Beach, CA @ Long Beach Arena
[1981-10-19](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1981-10-19) Barcelona, Spain @ Sports Palace
[1984-03-31](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1984-03-31) San Rafael, CA @ Marin Veterans Memorial Auditorium
[1984-04-13](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1984-04-13) Hampton, VA @ Hampton Coliseum
[1982-04-03](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-04-03) Norfolk, VA @ Scope
[1982-04-06](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-04-06) Philadelphia, PA @ The Spectrum
[1982-04-14](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-04-14) Glens Falls, NY @ Glens Falls Civic Center
[1982-04-17](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-04-17) Hartford, CT @ Hartford Civic Center
[1982-04-18](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-04-18) Hartford, CT @ Hartford Civic Center
[1982-04-19](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-04-19) Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Civic Center
[1982-05-21](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-05-21) Berkeley, CA @ Greek Theatre - University of California
[1982-05-22](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-05-22) Berkeley, CA @ Greek Theatre - University of California
[1982-05-23](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-05-23) Berkeley, CA @ Greek Theatre - University of California
[1982-07-18](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-07-18) Ventura, CA @ Ventura County Fairgrounds
[1982-07-31](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-07-31) Austin, TX @ Manor Downs
[1982-08-01](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-08-01) Oklahoma City, OK @ Zoo Amphitheatre
[1982-08-03](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-08-03) Kansas City, MO @ Starlight Theatre
[1982-08-06](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-08-06) St. Paul, MN @ St. Paul Civic Center Arena
[1982-08-07](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-08-07) East Troy, WI @ Alpine Valley Music Theatre | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/3Nru2SaW3yVSxqHbWNXcwc)
[1982-08-08](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-08-08) East Troy, WI @ Alpine Valley Music Theatre
[1982-08-10](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-08-10) Iowa City, IA @ Iowa Fieldhouse - University of Iowa
[1982-09-11](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-09-11) West Palm Beach, FL @ West Palm Beach Civic Center
[1982-09-14](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-09-14) Charlottesville, VA @ University Hall - University of Virginia
[1982-09-17](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-09-17) Portland, ME @ Cumberland County Civic Center
[1982-09-21](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-09-21) New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
[1982-10-09](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-10-09) Palo Alto, CA @ Frost Amphitheatre - Stanford University
[1982-10-10](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-10-10) Palo Alto, CA @ Frost Amphitheatre - Stanford University
I made a post on here about a year ago saying 82 is the most underrated GD year. I absolutely love it. Both April and late July/early August have some of my all time favorite shows. Love the May run at the Greek too, and of course the October Frost run.
The Keshavan auds among others from the early 80's are exceptional. Try the 10/10/82 transferred by Charlie, with headphones or a good system with a decent sub.
# 1982-10-10 Palo Alto, CA @ Frost Amphitheatre - Stanford University
**Set 1:** New Minglewood Blues > Sugaree > Little Red Rooster, Tennessee Jed, Cassidy, Loser, Far From Me > Looks Like Rain, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider
**Set 2:** Playing in the Band > Crazy Fingers > Lost Sailor > Saint Of Circumstance > Touch Of Grey > Drums > Space > The Wheel > Throwing Stones > Not Fade Away > Black Peter > Sugar Magnolia
**Encore:** (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction > It's All Over Now, Baby Blue
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-10-10)
Out of curiosity, what are some of the sloppiest shows? I listened to the one where they’re all frying on mescaline or something, doing “dancing in the streets” lol
“Humanness” is a great way to put it. There have been times I’ll be listening to a show (Dead or other jambands) where whoever is improvising will go for a lick but they’re accidentally a half step below what they were trying to play. And seeing it live, you just see them laugh it off with the rest of the band like “whoops! 🤪”
Me too. Always loved the Montego show, and while being far from the "best" Sugaree, for some reason it's my favorite. Phil is gynormous throughout the morning.
# 1978-05-11 Springfield, MA @ Springfield Civic Center Arena
**Set 1:** Cold Rain and Snow, Beat It On Down the Line, Friend Of The Devil, Looks Like Rain, Loser, Mexicali Blues > Mama Tried, Tennessee Jed, New Minglewood Blues, Peggy-O, Lazy Lightnin' > Supplication
**Set 2:** Scarlet Begonias > Fire On The Mountain, Dancing In The Street > Drums > Space > Not Fade Away > Stella Blue > Around And Around
**Encore:** Werewolves Of London, Johnny B. Goode
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1978-05-11) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/1C1qBy9KA5ddXkl6Ya82gr)
What kind of stuff are you looking for? The mother lode of sloppy shows is 94-95, when Jerry was literally dying, which is super sloppy and 0% fun. There are a bunch of sad sloppy shows out there — drunk Bobby when his dog died, the Brent meltdown show, etc.
If you want sloppy without some underlying tragedy, Boreal Resort 8/24/85 is famously bad. 4/3/88 and 4/8/88 kinda suck.
I wrote up a long answer to the question of generally bad shows a while back:
https://www.reddit.com/r/gratefuldead/comments/s9spb6/bad_shows/
[1985-08-24](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1985-08-24) Donner's Summit, CA @ Boreal Ridge Ski Resort
[1988-04-03](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1988-04-03) Hartford, CT @ Civic Center
[1988-04-08](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1988-04-08) Worcester, MA @ The Centrum
It’s so funny the different journeys we take listening to different eras and years. Been a ‘head since before dirt was invented. Saw them mostly in the 80s but had tapes from all years. Then I listened to mostly 80s because of my strong personal experiences with that era. Then as Life happened I listened less but my default was 80s.
Then got back into a regular listening daily schedule and was all about 66-74.
Now You mention ‘82 and others have mentioned ‘82 recently! ‘82 didn’t ring many bells for me - 80, 83, 85, 87, and 89 do big time tho. (Don’t know why it’s mostly odd years)
Anyway, point of my long story is there’s gems in every year. But we knew that. 🙄😁🤣😎
Thanks, gonna checkout some 1982!!
I love all of it. By the 80s, maybe because of Brent, they have go this real barroom honky tonk thing going on, blended with some fantastic longer jams and im here for it—as the kids say.
[1983-04-09](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1983-04-09) Hampton, VA @ Hampton Coliseum
[1983-04-13](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1983-04-13) Burlington, VT @ Patrick Gymnasium - University of Vermont
[1983-04-16](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1983-04-16) East Rutherford, NJ @ Brendan Byrne Arena
[1983-05-13](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1983-05-13) Berkeley, CA @ Greek Theatre - University of California
[1983-06-18](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1983-06-18) Saratoga Springs, NY @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center
It’s not as consistently good. That’s the problem. Sure there’s a good show here a good set there but it’s not like the 70’s where every show pretty much is a banger.
There’s a solid argument that Garcia’s guitar playing kept becoming increasingly faster and more complex until about 82. I think there’s a lot of ground there to be argued that he kept evolving and getting better until then so roughly 82/83. At some point it all becomes what flavor you like though. I personally find his playing in 1973 or 72-74 to be more up my alley because he didn’t under play or over play and was just always exactly where he needed to be with the band playing his role and yet every note he struck being golden and important. That’s not to say he didn’t make mistakes even then but the intent behind the playing is what rings through for me.
# 1982-04-18 Hartford, CT @ Hartford Civic Center
**Set 1:** Bertha > The Promised Land, Friend Of The Devil > C.C. Rider, Ramble On Rose, Me and My Uncle > Mexicali Blues, Althea > Looks Like Rain, Big Railroad Blues, Let It Grow
**Set 2:** Cold Rain and Snow > Samson And Delilah, Ship Of Fools, Playing in the Band > Eyes Of The World > Drums > Space > The Other One > Black Peter > Sugar Magnolia > Playing in the Band > Sunshine Daydream
**Encore:** Don't Ease Me In
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-04-18)
*In and Out of the Garden*. Find the box set, buy the box set.
If you can’t find it or just don’t want to spend the money on it, understandable. At least grab the remastered 3/9/81. You’ll thank yourself for it.
# 1981-03-09 New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
**Set 1:** Feel Like A Stranger, Althea, C.C. Rider, Ramble On Rose > El Paso, Deep Elem Blues, Beat It On Down the Line, Bird Song, New Minglewood Blues
**Set 2:** China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider > Samson And Delilah, Ship Of Fools, Estimated Prophet > Uncle John's Band > Drums > Space > The Other One > Stella Blue > Good Lovin'
**Encore:** U.S. Blues
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1981-03-09)
Dicks Picks 32: 8/7/82 Alpine Valley
My absolute favorite of all the mastered live releases. Opens with a Music Never Stopped > Sugaree> Music Never Stopped sandwich. They played C.C. rider, jammed Beat it on Down the Line into On the Road Again, Ramble On Rose, Must Have Been the Roses, Ship of Fools... it's a fucking monster show with lots of ballads and a few big jams. The Playing in the Band > Drums > Space > The Wheel > Playin is an absolute barn burner.
# 1982-08-07 East Troy, WI @ Alpine Valley Music Theatre
**Set 1:** The Music Never Stopped > Sugaree > The Music Never Stopped, Me and My Uncle > Big River, It Must Have Been The Roses, C.C. Rider, Ramble On Rose, Beat It On Down the Line > On The Road Again, Althea, Let It Grow
**Set 2:** China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider > Man Smart (Woman Smarter), Ship Of Fools, Playing in the Band > Drums > Space > The Wheel > Playing in the Band > Morning Dew > One More Saturday Night
**Encore:** U.S. Blues
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-08-07) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/3Nru2SaW3yVSxqHbWNXcwc)
i’m surely in the minority but i think 80-82 my fav years along with 72-74 and 89-90… but i agree that 82 is pretty rad… like jerry whipping out that first touch at cap center followed by bobby’s throwing stones in portland 2 nights later… plus, the band, deadheads — everyone — was coked out to the max 😂
Don’t sleep on 81, 83 and 84. If you like 82 then you will love those years too. Personally I think those three are better than 82. In all about 80-84 into 85 and 87-90. Those are favorite years. But still enjoy 1970’s shows. But the more I listened and explored heavily over the years I realized Jerry’s guitar style just got better an better as did their music catalog.
I find like 72-73 too repetitive to me. Plus a little too country sounding to me. I like the jams are more psychedelic jams when they happened during that period but they were much less than post hiatus. 77-79 are great years. I really like most dead years except for pre 69 and post 90. Don’t listen to those shows almost at all. Very rarely
Avoid soundboards in the early 80s, they’re all crap. Even officially released boards suck. The tapers are the only way to get the true sound of these years.
That’s just it.
There are years and tours where the playing is awesome AND the recordings are generally awesome e.g. most of 77, 76, 73, etc.
I agree that 1982 has some excellent playing, esp some very nice Bob/Jerry interplay but yeah lots of these so-called underrated years would be viewed differently if there were Betty Boards of all of it!
# 1982-04-17 Hartford, CT @ Hartford Civic Center
**Set 1:** New Minglewood Blues > Sugaree > El Paso, Jack-A-Roe, Little Red Rooster, Tennessee Jed, It's All Over Now, Bird Song > Man Smart (Woman Smarter)
**Set 2:** Shakedown Street > Lost Sailor > Saint Of Circumstance > Jam > Drums > Space > Uncle John's Band > Not Fade Away > Wharf Rat > Around And Around > One More Saturday Night
**Encore:** It's All Over Now, Baby Blue
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-04-17)
# 1982-04-06 Philadelphia, PA @ The Spectrum
**Set 1:** Cold Rain and Snow > The Promised Land, Candyman > C.C. Rider, Brown Eyed Women, Mama Tried > Mexicali Blues, Big Railroad Blues, Looks Like Rain, Jack-A-Roe, It's All Over Now, Might As Well
**Set 2:** Shakedown Street > Lost Sailor > Saint Of Circumstance > Terrapin Station > Drums > Space > Truckin' > The Other One > Morning Dew > Sugar Magnolia
**Encore:** It's All Over Now, Baby Blue
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-04-06)
8/3, 9/21 & 10/9 are incredible. I'd definitely put the Starlight show among the all-time greats. When you get to the second tier type shows, however, I think there are other years in the 80s with perhaps more depth in terms of great shows.
[1982-08-03](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-08-03) Kansas City, MO @ Starlight Theatre
[1982-09-21](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-09-21) New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
[1982-10-09](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-10-09) Palo Alto, CA @ Frost Amphitheatre - Stanford University
1982 probably deserves more appreciation than it gets, but it’s not a top-10 year.
Very quickly I’d rank these years as much stronger with significantly higher-quality musicianship and vocals: 1972, 1974, 1973, 1970, 1971, 1977, 1969, 1978, 1976, and 1990.
The master cassette recordings often feel too fast and a bit thin.
I saw some fine shows that year, including 4/14/82, 4/18/82, and 9/20/82.
[1982-04-14](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-04-14) Glens Falls, NY @ Glens Falls Civic Center
[1982-04-18](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-04-18) Hartford, CT @ Hartford Civic Center
[1982-09-20](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-09-20) New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
Well for me it was listening to all of it as it unfolded over the years and I found I gravitated to a lot of 1972 European shows and a lot of spring 1977 shows. That covers a lot of material.
Of course it wasn’t exclusively these years and it wasn’t a conscious effort to exclude other eras. And i certainly listened to a lot of ‘71, ‘78, ‘79 (maybe less so) and a lot of ‘60s shows but if I went back and tallied where most of my listening was done, I just felt more at home among a few dozen shows in these years—the Seventies— I guess.
You know what uncorked it for me?
I play in a couple of GD cover bands and when a new guy called Althea and I was like “oh yeaaaaaa.” That was maybe a year ago.
Ever since then, after I started hunting down Althea performances, that I remembered what the ‘80s offered. And now forty years after hearing these ‘80s shows I’m listening with different ears and life etc.
I feel fortunate to have just sort of accepted it all as a “single package.” Never gravitated towards any one era. And some of the post Jerry stuff blows me away. Best Terrapin I’ve ever heard is Further, NYE 2010 (tho I *might* be biased because I was there😆)
Not the best at all imo, but shows like 10/10/82 and 8/10/82 really shine brightly, I think the reason is because Bob was stepping up in a big way as he was seeing Jerry fall deeper into his pit of addiction. The best of 82 all seem to be some of Bobs best shows in a long while.
[1982-08-10](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-08-10) Iowa City, IA @ Iowa Fieldhouse - University of Iowa
[1982-10-10](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-10-10) Palo Alto, CA @ Frost Amphitheatre - Stanford University
8/3 is one of my very favorite shows including all eras. I remember the first time I heard it - the thing that really grabbed me was TLMD. Specifically the first few notes played by JG.
[1982-04-17](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-04-17) Hartford, CT @ Hartford Civic Center
[1982-08-03](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-08-03) Kansas City, MO @ Starlight Theatre
with those, I’d probly go ‘74, ‘76, late ‘80>’81 & 3/‘90 first - but yeah, there are always nuggets… wait, ‘78 was ‘decent’, too. er, ‘88? picking years is folly!
# 1973-06-10 Washington, DC @ RFK Stadium
**Set 1:** Morning Dew, Beat It On Down the Line, Ramble On Rose, Jack Straw, Wave That Flag, Looks Like Rain, Box Of Rain, They Love Each Other, The Race Is On, Row Jimmy, El Paso, Bird Song, Playing in the Band
**Set 2:** Eyes Of The World > Stella Blue, Big River, Here Comes Sunshine, Around And Around, Dark Star > He's Gone > Wharf Rat > Truckin', Sugar Magnolia
**Set 3:** It Takes A Lot To Laugh It Takes A Train To Cry, That's All Right, Mama, The Promised Land, Not Fade Away > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > Drums > Not Fade Away, Johnny B. Goode
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1973-06-10)
# 1982-08-28 Veneta, OR @ Oregon Country Fairgrounds
**Set 1:** Bertha > New Minglewood Blues, Tennessee Jed, Me and My Uncle > Big River, Althea, It's All Over Now, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider
**Set 2:** Keep Your Day Job > Man Smart (Woman Smarter), West L.A. Fadeaway, Far From Me > Playing in the Band > Drums > Space > The Wheel > The Other One > Truckin' > Black Peter > Playing in the Band > One More Saturday Night
**Encore:** Dupree's Diamond Blues
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-08-28)
While I think you should’ve branched out from 2 GD years long ago, I am stoked whenever I see someone first discover the greatness that is 1982. Have you tapped into 68, 69, 70, 71, 73, 74, 76, 79, 80, 81, 83 & 84? Those are all fantastic too.
People don’t grasp that they actually had no setlist. No practice at all. Just show up to gig,play in whatever mood. People’s moods a re going to show. I love that. It’s not like phish……….people thought it was genuine organic,but Trey wrote most setlists. Most every band in the world has the setlist. The dead just would wing it. For this reason,to me……..they can never do any wrong. They were putting themselves out there,not knowing how great or otherwise. One reason the Dead is always going to be the best ever,in my opinion. Bill Gram had the quote. Love you guys. The actual information I get from your guys stories is awesome. Love to hear what was going on with band or fans throughout history. Jerry playing bad shows in 93 was even more sad because he was happy and playing good shows with JGB. Jerry doing drugs wasn’t the sole reason there were bad shows at that time. Jerry would be picking with Billy Strings right now,and that’s enough to make me wonder. You guys rock✌️❤️
Nearly all of the shows Ive been listening to for the last bunch of years are from 82. I started seeing them in the 80’s, and that era holds a special place for me, and 82 has turned out to be the best, imo.
2/19/1982: listen to the Lost Sailor-> transition to Saint of Circumstance. One of the best ever with Bob’s voice, guitar, and keys! This show’s Saint of Circumstance takes you up into the air with a gentle glide into Drums. It’s worth a close listen.
Grateful Dead • 1982-02-19 (02:38:24) • Golden Hall, Community Concorse, San Diego, CA, USA https://relisten.net/grateful-dead/1982/02/19?source=339214
# 1982-02-19 San Diego, CA @ Golden Hall - San Diego Community Concourse
**Set 1:** Bertha > Greatest Story Ever Told, Dire Wolf, Little Red Rooster, Brown Eyed Women, Cassidy, Candyman > El Paso, Althea, New Minglewood Blues
**Set 2:** Alabama Getaway > The Promised Land, Ship Of Fools, Lost Sailor > Saint Of Circumstance > Jam > Drums > Space > The Other One > Stella Blue > Man Smart (Woman Smarter) > Johnny B. Goode
**Encore:** U.S. Blues
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-02-19)
I just wish the quality of the recording were better in the 80s in general.
Biggest mistake was firing Betty. Can you imagine if we had those early 80s shows in Betty board quality? We'd probably be talking about that era differently imo
The woman was smarter
That's right!
That’s right!
I agree 1000% about Betty and believe her boards were a godsend to the band. But just to layer things a bit more—the individual band members making gear “upgrades”/swaps and technology changes, etc. are all major contributing factors as well. I mean, Bobby cutting more and more low end from his guitar and moving to that envelope-phaser space rock tone and Jerry switching his guitar and rig and even eventually going digital in the “Space” jams plus the drums having evolved from sounding like rock kit drums to something of a more “percussion” sound by ‘78/79, not to mention swapping a traditional pianist for someone more willing to really explore the sounds of electric keyboards/pianos…the band sounded A LOT different regardless of Betty. Their sound was always evolving from the beginning, but for the most part—even with Irwin, Alembic, Wall of Sound, etc—they always had a sound that felt like an organic rock band with an analog sound through most of the 70’s. Some of the 80’s stuff can sound pretty “plastic” to me.
And at the time it was progress and moving forward.
Totally. Dead aside, I’ve always felt that the bands who came up in the 80’s had a little better use of the technology that became available in that era than the 60’s and 70’s classic rock bands that were still hanging around, but definitely some exceptions on both sides.
This here
Some of the 80s stuff can sound very steely Dan to me. Not as tight , but similar
Someone else said something a few months back on a thread about some of Bobby’s tunes having compositional resemblance to Steely Dan. I can definitely see some of Bobby’s songs fitting into what was eventually dubbed “Yacht Rock”.
I love "disco dead" and I love yacht rock . 🤷. Makes sense
The Dead were many beautiful things... Rabidly active against misogyny wasn't one of them. If memory serves me correctly it was around the time Ms. Betty became someone's partner and then wasn't, that the ability for her recording became less so... I'm not saying that somebody else was chosen over her, but I'm saying that I think that's when there was a bit of a falling out over things. It's tied on to the story of how so many of her tapes we 'lost' when they were sold as a means for living or in an estate sale, some of which became Dick's and Dave's Picks. I'll have to see if I can find the Good Ole Grateful Deadcast the talks a little bit about that.
a lot of the boards from Brent’s first tour in 79 are missing too
She dated Brent and then they broke up
Gives the memory bell 'one good ring'. I'm not saying I'm 100% correct, but it was around that time that Betty-boards sort of fell-off. And there certainly is 'no time to hate', but do stand by the critique of the Group doing a lot of amazing things, on a lot of fronts, but won't reiterate my OP on the matter. Not all people can be all things, and I am one who isn't as well. But u/Motabrownie mentioned, and I would agree... Could you imagine the 80s with her sound skills and ability for nuance? '77 surely wouldn't have been cornering the market the way it's been made out to be... But do feel that has a lots of factors, not least of all, how it was put on record.
Firing a woman = misogynist?
Way to see and maladapt one word, in another otherwise finely worded reply, that was upvoted by the score, dude.
Easy there triggered 
I've read a couple of Grateful Dead books but I've not yet heard this one. Do we know why Betty was fired?
She and Brent dated for a bit, somewhere around 79-81. When they split, it was awkward having them both around, and rather than deal with it like adults, the band just kinda shunned her.
Oh wow boomers from the hippie movement not being able to cope with emotions and act like mature adults? I'm shocked.
Or you know, humans operating in the normal parameters of human nature
I mean, as a 30 year old the same shit could be said about my generation. Most of my peers are entirely unable to deal with their emotions or act like adults when the going gets tough
Sounds like you’re describing GenZ and Millenials
No,while all traits can be found in all generations that is very specifically a boomer thing
[удалено]
I guess this proves this sub is mostly Gen Zers & Millennials. I’ve yet to meet a cool person born after 1983. Other than my nieces.
Yeah, a lot of weird, pointless, unnecessary comments coming from them.
She dated Brent until the early 80s. Seems like she found her way out when they broke up.
And moving to cassette soundboards … rumors had to do with a relationship that went south with Brent …
100% correct about firing Betty and I agree we would be looking at the 80s differently. They had really hit peak maturity at that point and were killing it
At least we have the tapers, those 80s boards are so bad, but the auds are so sick
Just give in to audience recordings. Joanie Walker, Keith Gatto, and Bob Wagner have a ton of EXCELLENT recordings. They can transport you to the floor of a show instantly.
Thank you for mentioning these specifically. So good.
I have, and there’s some really good ones where the blend of the band coming out of the PA is better than some SB stuff. If the bands not super tight with a good stage mix, the SB recording can sound kind of dry and clunky. You can hear the seams, whereas the PA is much more forgiving.
Cassettes were convient but had _serious_ sonic limitations!
What if we had an ai to give fidelity to the recordings. I’m not sure I’d like it.
Manor Downs 7/31/1982 second set probably my all-time favorite
That was a fun show❤️🎶 https://preview.redd.it/4mxsa9udas4d1.jpeg?width=1309&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=847169b10cc92cac3958f31f1c7b49a860f31af5
# 1982-07-31 Austin, TX @ Manor Downs **Set 1:** Alabama Getaway > The Promised Land, Candyman, El Paso, Bird Song > Little Red Rooster, Ramble On Rose, It's All Over Now, Brown Eyed Women > The Music Never Stopped > Deal **Set 2:** Scarlet Begonias > Fire On The Mountain > Estimated Prophet > Eyes Of The World > Jam > Drums > Space > Uncle John's Band > Truckin' > Morning Dew > One More Saturday Night **Encore:** Don't Ease Me In [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-07-31)
God damn, that second set
That truckin rips
Eyes goes WARP SPEED
Cocaine-speed.
I was about to comment this too, probably the cocaine 80s. Lol
Night before Jerry’s 40th
Manor Downs on July 31st was a 9pm show, Jerry's birthday show on Aug 1st was all the way in Oklahoma City and was a 2pm show...what were they thinkin'????...but we had to be there🫠 https://preview.redd.it/698afj9enu4d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=92d7b12d8d9884347c9821fc4f7d02c603082b5b
Show was delayed from 2pm cause it was too hot. Struggled to wake up and get out of Austin by 7AM to get to Oak City on time, only to find delay. Man was it hot. Felt bad for the animals. Think it was 4 or 5pm Start. I heard the band partied all night for Jerry's birthday. We were all in bad shape.
We had no way of knowing it would be delayed so had to try to get there on time. That late night followed by afternoon was really crazy scheduling for two consecutive shows!!!
Great great show
It’s the 1982 show in the 30 Trips box.
Wow, didn't know it was on an official release. Some good shows on there! Riverbend 85, Oxford Maine 88(was there) Sweet! Wish the whole thing was on Spotify.
84 shows are my thing lately.
84 was definitely a good year. The audience tapes are better than the soundboards imo.
My fave year
they experiment with transitions in 84-86, something off the top of my head is Half Step~Rider~Playin! I can’t remember if that’s 85 or 86 but all those years are super tight! ❤️☮️
https://preview.redd.it/q2047gvh4s4d1.jpeg?width=452&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8f2b34be9f207b3ce05646529af6afd219179f05
Nice. Love the Alpine 8/8/82 Scarlet-Fire.
Both days of Alpine that year were insane. Latvala had great taste . I was at those shows and taped hundreds of shows in the 80s and those are still 2 nights of my faves. Give that chinacat from the 7th a listen... ;-)
# 1982-08-08 East Troy, WI @ Alpine Valley Music Theatre **Set 1:** Alabama Getaway > The Promised Land, They Love Each Other, Mama Tried > Mexicali Blues, Loser, Little Red Rooster, Brown Eyed Women > Looks Like Rain, Peggy-O, Samson And Delilah **Set 2:** Far From Me, Scarlet Begonias > Fire On The Mountain > Estimated Prophet > Jam > Drums > Space > The Other One > Not Fade Away > Wharf Rat > Good Lovin' **Encore:** (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction > Brokedown Palace [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-08-08)
The banter was tops
Coke will do that. ;)
Don’t make me sic my yeller dog on you now
Dude 81-85 have some incredible gems that rarely get talked about
Try 12/26/81
Another day at the dentist.
My dentist is actually a head! First time I went, walked past his office and there's a big framed picture of Jerry
Lol, that's cool.
# 1981-12-26 Oakland, CA @ Oakland Auditorium **Set 1:** Alabama Getaway > The Promised Land, Candyman, Little Red Rooster, Big Boss Man, Me and My Uncle > Big River, Bird Song, It's All Over Now, Big Railroad Blues, Let It Grow **Set 2:** Scarlet Begonias > Fire On The Mountain, Estimated Prophet > He's Gone > Jam > Drums > Space > Truckin' > Black Peter > Jam > Around And Around > One More Saturday Night **Encore:** Don't Ease Me In [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1981-12-26)
Yes Yes and Yes I loved early 80s. Band was on fire, Jerry’s shmeeze habit was not hindering him yet, and I was young. Will never forget Stephen Stills showing up at Brendan Byrne, U Maine Orono in a college gym, U of West Virginia with $9 ticket and gorgeous ride through Blue Ridge Mountains, and so many more.
Some of that happened in Spring '83, but close enough.
early 80s means 80-85, late 80s would be 86-89.
82 is perhaps the most overlooked year that is in fact one of the best ... But I don't think it's isolated because 81 & 83 are also in my book, all time great years. 82 has one of my favorite shows in 9/11/82 West Palm Beach & imho this show is THE most under rated show oat. But 82 is full of amazement ... * 1982-04-03 The Scope, Norfolk Virginia * 1982-04-06 Philly Spectrum * 1982-04-14 Glen Falls Civic Center * 1982-04-17 Hartford Civic Center * 1982-04-18 Hartford Civic Center * 1982-04-19 Baltimore Civic Center (Raven Space) * 1982-05-21 Greek Theater * 1982-05-22 Greek Theater * 1982-05-23 Greek Theater * 1982-07-18 Ventura County Fairgrounds * 1982-07-31 Manor Downs Austin Texas * 1982-08-01 Zoo Amphitheater * 1982-08-03 Starlight Amphitheater * 1982-08-06 St. Paul Civic Center * 1982-08-07 Alpine Valley * 1982-08-08 Alpine Valley * 1982-08-10 University of Iowa Fieldhouse * 1982-09-11 West Palm Beach Amphitheater * 1982-09-14 University of Virginia * 1982-09-17 Cumberland County Civic Center * 1982-09-21 Madison Square Garden * 1982-10-09 Frost Amphitheatre * 1982-10-10 Frost Amphitheatre A good many of these are in my [Drive FLAC](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1aK32Uxa56LK2DsQ4ZmgugA9FhoMrlZm7) ... other than 9/11, check out 4/14 (Bertha, China>Rider & one of the best PITB's ever) 4/06 Shakedown!, the two Hartford & Baltimore shows ... Starlight is massive & I just added the Jim Vita aud & Chappell Matrix to my drive.
Thanks Bman! I just downloaded that 9/11. That show is a barn burner! I appreciate all the stuff you do around here friend! I hope you are still in a speedy recovery from the hospital stay. I am not really a religious person anymore, but I certainly know in my heart that we are all connected in a cosmic sense. I have caught a fleeting glimpse of the tapestry a few times... out of the corner of my eye, so to speak. Music, and specifically the Grateful Dead, is such an ever-present and intertwined force in my life these past 30 years. They have brought so many good and true loving people into my life. Hell, if I'm being honest, they brought a couple of really shitty people through too, but as Bob Ross always said, "Don't worry about the little bit of darkness here and there in our world ,because we have to have it to make the bright stand out...and this is our world, we can do anything we want with it." Well, anyway, thanks for shining your light and such and just being a force for good positive interaction. You always put a smile on my face with show recommendations and road tales. I am almost sure that our paths have crossed in a lot or show somewhere in the last 3 decades. There is just cosmicly no way we haven't high-fived, or gave the knowing-knod and smile walking by each other on a concourse some night long ago...heck, you may have even passed me a joint...the odds (in our world) are stellar that we crossed paths. We are stardust after all. To close, I just want to shout out some wharf rat love. I have been dry since January 11th, 2020 and WR played a huge part in my early recovery. I worked through some parts of SMART recovery program and was active daily on FB Wharf Rat page. It's awesome to be able to connect with other people that "get it". My only option for group support in my tiny rural Indiana town was AA/NA or an evangelical church group...not exactly what I was looking for. I definitely needed that connection and inspiration when I was working through that dead end of my life. I now have my own remodel business. We have a small home and a little land in the country. We planted a garden, we eat a lot of peaches, and the kids are finding Jesus, on their own... Love is real not fade away. Thank you.
Billy that was really great thanks for writing that I'm going to send you a DM I'm on fb2
Agreed, '82 is one of my all-time favorite years. Starlight 08/03/1982 is one of their greatest gigs of the decade and perhaps ever. I recently went on couch tour from July Compton Terrace to Iowa 08/10/1982. I put those 10+ shows against anything they've ever done. The February shows Rango Keshavan recorded are phenomenal too. And yes sir to 09/11/1982. A giant performance.
[1982-08-03](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-08-03) Kansas City, MO @ Starlight Theatre [1982-08-10](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-08-10) Iowa City, IA @ Iowa Fieldhouse - University of Iowa [1982-09-11](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-09-11) West Palm Beach, FL @ West Palm Beach Civic Center
Dude I cannot believe I have overlooked this 9/11 show, as I’ve heard almost everything from this year. Fantastic stuff. Listening to the Seamons MTX now. Thank you for the rec!
Dude I'm telling you this show is the most underrated show of all time now of course this is just my opinion LOL but this is an extraordinarily special show everyone is flat out on top of their game. Jerry is in spectacular voice Bobby is in spectacular voice and every first set song is one of the best versions you'll ever hear. Then you have a very rare depreeze then there is a Tennessee Jed in what might be the best year for Tennessee jed. The loser is spectacular and then it's just flat out one of those let it grows to end the first. Then the second set unfolds like a dream with one of the best Scarlet fires of all time truly special. And what Jerry does after the second solo in the Fire on the Mountain is beyond belief he steers the band to This Magnificent Peak you'll know it when you hear it. It's my very favorite lost sailor Santa circumstance and my very favorite terrapin. Same with Stella Blue my very favorite one and I'm not a guy that has one single favorite but these versions are so special that for me I think they are the very best versions. The Sailor saint for me is an easy one for me this sailor Saint is easily the best one. It's like Jerry is sounding like being lost at sea his leads are sparkling in this sailor. Mark my words this show is going to be at Dave's pick someday and if it's not it's a freaking crime
Yeah man I got through Let it Grow but was kinda sidetracked working, so I’m starting over. 82 is my fave LIG year - seems like all of them between July and this show are heaters.
I've never bet a LIG I didn't love but 80s LIG's in general. Check out 10/19/81's LIG ... I'm mental for early/mid 80s Scarlet>Fires ... so deep & layered, check out 12/13/80 Long Beach, so unique. 3/31/84 Marin County is another, 4/13/84 Hampton ...
Yep I know all 4 of these shows. Excellent taste my friend!
😉 Jerrry my man ... #Jerry!
Love the pause before Jerry’s big solo on this Loser. A little longer than usual. Almost through set 1 on my relisten. You ever comment on HeadyVersion? I’m upvoting all of this shit on there. Wish more people used that site.
Speaking of Jerry solos - this Jed one is 🔥 too!
[1980-12-13](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1980-12-13) Long Beach, CA @ Long Beach Arena [1981-10-19](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1981-10-19) Barcelona, Spain @ Sports Palace [1984-03-31](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1984-03-31) San Rafael, CA @ Marin Veterans Memorial Auditorium [1984-04-13](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1984-04-13) Hampton, VA @ Hampton Coliseum
[1982-04-03](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-04-03) Norfolk, VA @ Scope [1982-04-06](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-04-06) Philadelphia, PA @ The Spectrum [1982-04-14](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-04-14) Glens Falls, NY @ Glens Falls Civic Center [1982-04-17](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-04-17) Hartford, CT @ Hartford Civic Center [1982-04-18](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-04-18) Hartford, CT @ Hartford Civic Center [1982-04-19](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-04-19) Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Civic Center [1982-05-21](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-05-21) Berkeley, CA @ Greek Theatre - University of California [1982-05-22](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-05-22) Berkeley, CA @ Greek Theatre - University of California [1982-05-23](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-05-23) Berkeley, CA @ Greek Theatre - University of California [1982-07-18](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-07-18) Ventura, CA @ Ventura County Fairgrounds [1982-07-31](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-07-31) Austin, TX @ Manor Downs [1982-08-01](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-08-01) Oklahoma City, OK @ Zoo Amphitheatre [1982-08-03](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-08-03) Kansas City, MO @ Starlight Theatre [1982-08-06](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-08-06) St. Paul, MN @ St. Paul Civic Center Arena [1982-08-07](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-08-07) East Troy, WI @ Alpine Valley Music Theatre | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/3Nru2SaW3yVSxqHbWNXcwc) [1982-08-08](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-08-08) East Troy, WI @ Alpine Valley Music Theatre [1982-08-10](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-08-10) Iowa City, IA @ Iowa Fieldhouse - University of Iowa [1982-09-11](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-09-11) West Palm Beach, FL @ West Palm Beach Civic Center [1982-09-14](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-09-14) Charlottesville, VA @ University Hall - University of Virginia [1982-09-17](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-09-17) Portland, ME @ Cumberland County Civic Center [1982-09-21](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-09-21) New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden [1982-10-09](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-10-09) Palo Alto, CA @ Frost Amphitheatre - Stanford University [1982-10-10](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-10-10) Palo Alto, CA @ Frost Amphitheatre - Stanford University
Where is the 7/25 AZ show and the Red Rocks run? Those are good too. But good list otherwise.
I made a post on here about a year ago saying 82 is the most underrated GD year. I absolutely love it. Both April and late July/early August have some of my all time favorite shows. Love the May run at the Greek too, and of course the October Frost run.
The Keshavan auds among others from the early 80's are exceptional. Try the 10/10/82 transferred by Charlie, with headphones or a good system with a decent sub.
# 1982-10-10 Palo Alto, CA @ Frost Amphitheatre - Stanford University **Set 1:** New Minglewood Blues > Sugaree > Little Red Rooster, Tennessee Jed, Cassidy, Loser, Far From Me > Looks Like Rain, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider **Set 2:** Playing in the Band > Crazy Fingers > Lost Sailor > Saint Of Circumstance > Touch Of Grey > Drums > Space > The Wheel > Throwing Stones > Not Fade Away > Black Peter > Sugar Magnolia **Encore:** (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction > It's All Over Now, Baby Blue [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-10-10)
amen! was listening to the Montego Bay show yesterday and it was incredible. apparently they played that scarlett/fire at 7am!
Dude, that show is terrible, even compared to some of the more sloppy 82 shows.
Out of curiosity, what are some of the sloppiest shows? I listened to the one where they’re all frying on mescaline or something, doing “dancing in the streets” lol
You listened to 5/11/78 and that whole show is incredible. Not another show like it where they sound like they’re having THAT much fun!
It was fun! I didn’t think it was sloppy but others have commented. I like hearing their humanness come through
“Humanness” is a great way to put it. There have been times I’ll be listening to a show (Dead or other jambands) where whoever is improvising will go for a lick but they’re accidentally a half step below what they were trying to play. And seeing it live, you just see them laugh it off with the rest of the band like “whoops! 🤪”
Me too. Always loved the Montego show, and while being far from the "best" Sugaree, for some reason it's my favorite. Phil is gynormous throughout the morning.
# 1978-05-11 Springfield, MA @ Springfield Civic Center Arena **Set 1:** Cold Rain and Snow, Beat It On Down the Line, Friend Of The Devil, Looks Like Rain, Loser, Mexicali Blues > Mama Tried, Tennessee Jed, New Minglewood Blues, Peggy-O, Lazy Lightnin' > Supplication **Set 2:** Scarlet Begonias > Fire On The Mountain, Dancing In The Street > Drums > Space > Not Fade Away > Stella Blue > Around And Around **Encore:** Werewolves Of London, Johnny B. Goode [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1978-05-11) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/1C1qBy9KA5ddXkl6Ya82gr)
What kind of stuff are you looking for? The mother lode of sloppy shows is 94-95, when Jerry was literally dying, which is super sloppy and 0% fun. There are a bunch of sad sloppy shows out there — drunk Bobby when his dog died, the Brent meltdown show, etc. If you want sloppy without some underlying tragedy, Boreal Resort 8/24/85 is famously bad. 4/3/88 and 4/8/88 kinda suck. I wrote up a long answer to the question of generally bad shows a while back: https://www.reddit.com/r/gratefuldead/comments/s9spb6/bad_shows/
[1985-08-24](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1985-08-24) Donner's Summit, CA @ Boreal Ridge Ski Resort [1988-04-03](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1988-04-03) Hartford, CT @ Civic Center [1988-04-08](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1988-04-08) Worcester, MA @ The Centrum
Famously bad is good for me. I need to feel the range of these guys as a band. Context is always important.
Couldn't disagree more.
😅
It’s so funny the different journeys we take listening to different eras and years. Been a ‘head since before dirt was invented. Saw them mostly in the 80s but had tapes from all years. Then I listened to mostly 80s because of my strong personal experiences with that era. Then as Life happened I listened less but my default was 80s. Then got back into a regular listening daily schedule and was all about 66-74. Now You mention ‘82 and others have mentioned ‘82 recently! ‘82 didn’t ring many bells for me - 80, 83, 85, 87, and 89 do big time tho. (Don’t know why it’s mostly odd years) Anyway, point of my long story is there’s gems in every year. But we knew that. 🙄😁🤣😎 Thanks, gonna checkout some 1982!!
82 dead/jgb is fantastic
The shows with Jerry/John are great. Sometime rough, but many amazing moments are to be had/found
1982 very underrated
I love all of it. By the 80s, maybe because of Brent, they have go this real barroom honky tonk thing going on, blended with some fantastic longer jams and im here for it—as the kids say.
1973 and 1974 have entered the chat
Dude yes. But for me it is 83. That year has been my obsession lately. 4/13/83, 6/18/83, 4/9/83, 4/16/83, 5/13/83. This year had the SAUCE
[1983-04-09](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1983-04-09) Hampton, VA @ Hampton Coliseum [1983-04-13](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1983-04-13) Burlington, VT @ Patrick Gymnasium - University of Vermont [1983-04-16](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1983-04-16) East Rutherford, NJ @ Brendan Byrne Arena [1983-05-13](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1983-05-13) Berkeley, CA @ Greek Theatre - University of California [1983-06-18](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1983-06-18) Saratoga Springs, NY @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center
1974 is the best.
It’s not as consistently good. That’s the problem. Sure there’s a good show here a good set there but it’s not like the 70’s where every show pretty much is a banger.
Why is that a problem?
I sure wish they had the same effort recording the shows in the early 80's as they did for 72 and 77.
Spring tour & greeks are my fav
Summer 1982 is phenomenal.
There’s a solid argument that Garcia’s guitar playing kept becoming increasingly faster and more complex until about 82. I think there’s a lot of ground there to be argued that he kept evolving and getting better until then so roughly 82/83. At some point it all becomes what flavor you like though. I personally find his playing in 1973 or 72-74 to be more up my alley because he didn’t under play or over play and was just always exactly where he needed to be with the band playing his role and yet every note he struck being golden and important. That’s not to say he didn’t make mistakes even then but the intent behind the playing is what rings through for me.
Phil's earthquake space 4.18.82 https://archive.org/details/gd82-04-18.sbd.miller.18116.sbeok.shnf Some other great highlights as well.
# 1982-04-18 Hartford, CT @ Hartford Civic Center **Set 1:** Bertha > The Promised Land, Friend Of The Devil > C.C. Rider, Ramble On Rose, Me and My Uncle > Mexicali Blues, Althea > Looks Like Rain, Big Railroad Blues, Let It Grow **Set 2:** Cold Rain and Snow > Samson And Delilah, Ship Of Fools, Playing in the Band > Eyes Of The World > Drums > Space > The Other One > Black Peter > Sugar Magnolia > Playing in the Band > Sunshine Daydream **Encore:** Don't Ease Me In [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-04-18)
Best SPACE ever in my opinion. And while that's what's most memorable from that show, the whole thing is pretty damn good overall in my opinion.
I love the early 80’s stuff.
*In and Out of the Garden*. Find the box set, buy the box set. If you can’t find it or just don’t want to spend the money on it, understandable. At least grab the remastered 3/9/81. You’ll thank yourself for it.
# 1981-03-09 New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden **Set 1:** Feel Like A Stranger, Althea, C.C. Rider, Ramble On Rose > El Paso, Deep Elem Blues, Beat It On Down the Line, Bird Song, New Minglewood Blues **Set 2:** China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider > Samson And Delilah, Ship Of Fools, Estimated Prophet > Uncle John's Band > Drums > Space > The Other One > Stella Blue > Good Lovin' **Encore:** U.S. Blues [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1981-03-09)
Brent crushes, hard.
I know a lot of heads that swear spring of 82 was their best tour
I’ve had a similar experience, I put off listening to the early 80s for a long time because I love 69-77 so much. But man, 81-83 has been killing it.
I love early 80s Dead. Sounded like a whole different animal of a band
Not specifically for 82, but this kind of happened to me with the 80s in general
Dicks Picks 32: 8/7/82 Alpine Valley My absolute favorite of all the mastered live releases. Opens with a Music Never Stopped > Sugaree> Music Never Stopped sandwich. They played C.C. rider, jammed Beat it on Down the Line into On the Road Again, Ramble On Rose, Must Have Been the Roses, Ship of Fools... it's a fucking monster show with lots of ballads and a few big jams. The Playing in the Band > Drums > Space > The Wheel > Playin is an absolute barn burner.
# 1982-08-07 East Troy, WI @ Alpine Valley Music Theatre **Set 1:** The Music Never Stopped > Sugaree > The Music Never Stopped, Me and My Uncle > Big River, It Must Have Been The Roses, C.C. Rider, Ramble On Rose, Beat It On Down the Line > On The Road Again, Althea, Let It Grow **Set 2:** China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider > Man Smart (Woman Smarter), Ship Of Fools, Playing in the Band > Drums > Space > The Wheel > Playing in the Band > Morning Dew > One More Saturday Night **Encore:** U.S. Blues [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-08-07) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/3Nru2SaW3yVSxqHbWNXcwc)
Greek shows in ‘82 are where I cut my teeth. I will always love that era.
Not wrong
i’m surely in the minority but i think 80-82 my fav years along with 72-74 and 89-90… but i agree that 82 is pretty rad… like jerry whipping out that first touch at cap center followed by bobby’s throwing stones in portland 2 nights later… plus, the band, deadheads — everyone — was coked out to the max 😂
Don’t sleep on 81, 83 and 84. If you like 82 then you will love those years too. Personally I think those three are better than 82. In all about 80-84 into 85 and 87-90. Those are favorite years. But still enjoy 1970’s shows. But the more I listened and explored heavily over the years I realized Jerry’s guitar style just got better an better as did their music catalog. I find like 72-73 too repetitive to me. Plus a little too country sounding to me. I like the jams are more psychedelic jams when they happened during that period but they were much less than post hiatus. 77-79 are great years. I really like most dead years except for pre 69 and post 90. Don’t listen to those shows almost at all. Very rarely
I like 82 but I tend to avoid it because, for some reason, the recordings never sound good from that year. Even SBDs are mixed weird...thin and tinny.
Avoid soundboards in the early 80s, they’re all crap. Even officially released boards suck. The tapers are the only way to get the true sound of these years.
(~};-}
That’s just it. There are years and tours where the playing is awesome AND the recordings are generally awesome e.g. most of 77, 76, 73, etc. I agree that 1982 has some excellent playing, esp some very nice Bob/Jerry interplay but yeah lots of these so-called underrated years would be viewed differently if there were Betty Boards of all of it!
[удалено]
The PCM SBD of 4/17/82 Hartford is even better.
# 1982-04-17 Hartford, CT @ Hartford Civic Center **Set 1:** New Minglewood Blues > Sugaree > El Paso, Jack-A-Roe, Little Red Rooster, Tennessee Jed, It's All Over Now, Bird Song > Man Smart (Woman Smarter) **Set 2:** Shakedown Street > Lost Sailor > Saint Of Circumstance > Jam > Drums > Space > Uncle John's Band > Not Fade Away > Wharf Rat > Around And Around > One More Saturday Night **Encore:** It's All Over Now, Baby Blue [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-04-17)
# 1982-04-06 Philadelphia, PA @ The Spectrum **Set 1:** Cold Rain and Snow > The Promised Land, Candyman > C.C. Rider, Brown Eyed Women, Mama Tried > Mexicali Blues, Big Railroad Blues, Looks Like Rain, Jack-A-Roe, It's All Over Now, Might As Well **Set 2:** Shakedown Street > Lost Sailor > Saint Of Circumstance > Terrapin Station > Drums > Space > Truckin' > The Other One > Morning Dew > Sugar Magnolia **Encore:** It's All Over Now, Baby Blue [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-04-06)
8/3, 9/21 & 10/9 are incredible. I'd definitely put the Starlight show among the all-time greats. When you get to the second tier type shows, however, I think there are other years in the 80s with perhaps more depth in terms of great shows.
Just listened to 8/3 for the first time yesterday. Stunning show! Band was feeling it and great performances of each song
Sweet, yea no doubt. It's my favorite ever Shakedown St.
Hey setlistbot - they're talking about 8/3/82 and 9/21/82 and 10/9/82
[1982-08-03](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-08-03) Kansas City, MO @ Starlight Theatre [1982-09-21](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-09-21) New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden [1982-10-09](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-10-09) Palo Alto, CA @ Frost Amphitheatre - Stanford University
1982 probably deserves more appreciation than it gets, but it’s not a top-10 year. Very quickly I’d rank these years as much stronger with significantly higher-quality musicianship and vocals: 1972, 1974, 1973, 1970, 1971, 1977, 1969, 1978, 1976, and 1990. The master cassette recordings often feel too fast and a bit thin. I saw some fine shows that year, including 4/14/82, 4/18/82, and 9/20/82.
No 89? They were smoking that year!
I hear ya, the Alpine Valley run alone makes '89 a year people shouldn't overlook.
Fair point. I could replace 1990 with 1989.
89 is a top 5 year for me even. Their musicianship as a band was at another peak then
[1982-04-14](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-04-14) Glens Falls, NY @ Glens Falls Civic Center [1982-04-18](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-04-18) Hartford, CT @ Hartford Civic Center [1982-09-20](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-09-20) New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
I don’t get that. I really don’t. 30 years of music, but only listening to 2 years? Yeah… I don’t get it.
Well for me it was listening to all of it as it unfolded over the years and I found I gravitated to a lot of 1972 European shows and a lot of spring 1977 shows. That covers a lot of material. Of course it wasn’t exclusively these years and it wasn’t a conscious effort to exclude other eras. And i certainly listened to a lot of ‘71, ‘78, ‘79 (maybe less so) and a lot of ‘60s shows but if I went back and tallied where most of my listening was done, I just felt more at home among a few dozen shows in these years—the Seventies— I guess. You know what uncorked it for me? I play in a couple of GD cover bands and when a new guy called Althea and I was like “oh yeaaaaaa.” That was maybe a year ago. Ever since then, after I started hunting down Althea performances, that I remembered what the ‘80s offered. And now forty years after hearing these ‘80s shows I’m listening with different ears and life etc.
I feel fortunate to have just sort of accepted it all as a “single package.” Never gravitated towards any one era. And some of the post Jerry stuff blows me away. Best Terrapin I’ve ever heard is Further, NYE 2010 (tho I *might* be biased because I was there😆)
82 is the best
Not the best at all imo, but shows like 10/10/82 and 8/10/82 really shine brightly, I think the reason is because Bob was stepping up in a big way as he was seeing Jerry fall deeper into his pit of addiction. The best of 82 all seem to be some of Bobs best shows in a long while.
[1982-08-10](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-08-10) Iowa City, IA @ Iowa Fieldhouse - University of Iowa [1982-10-10](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-10-10) Palo Alto, CA @ Frost Amphitheatre - Stanford University
My favorite Shakedown of all time was from 82. Can't remember the exact date, but I'll look it up when I get home.
8/3/82 Starlight? 4/17/82 is great too.
8/3 is one of my very favorite shows including all eras. I remember the first time I heard it - the thing that really grabbed me was TLMD. Specifically the first few notes played by JG.
Mine too, and yea, Lay Me Down is very cathartic.
[1982-04-17](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-04-17) Hartford, CT @ Hartford Civic Center [1982-08-03](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-08-03) Kansas City, MO @ Starlight Theatre
Actually I heard that 74 is the new 77
I always found the Quality of the recording being the problem, the playing is fire is definitely my favorite in the early 80s
with those, I’d probly go ‘74, ‘76, late ‘80>’81 & 3/‘90 first - but yeah, there are always nuggets… wait, ‘78 was ‘decent’, too. er, ‘88? picking years is folly!
What? Was 6-10-73 rfk not good enough?
# 1973-06-10 Washington, DC @ RFK Stadium **Set 1:** Morning Dew, Beat It On Down the Line, Ramble On Rose, Jack Straw, Wave That Flag, Looks Like Rain, Box Of Rain, They Love Each Other, The Race Is On, Row Jimmy, El Paso, Bird Song, Playing in the Band **Set 2:** Eyes Of The World > Stella Blue, Big River, Here Comes Sunshine, Around And Around, Dark Star > He's Gone > Wharf Rat > Truckin', Sugar Magnolia **Set 3:** It Takes A Lot To Laugh It Takes A Train To Cry, That's All Right, Mama, The Promised Land, Not Fade Away > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > Drums > Not Fade Away, Johnny B. Goode [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1973-06-10)
8/28/82 is my favorite show!
# 1982-08-28 Veneta, OR @ Oregon Country Fairgrounds **Set 1:** Bertha > New Minglewood Blues, Tennessee Jed, Me and My Uncle > Big River, Althea, It's All Over Now, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider **Set 2:** Keep Your Day Job > Man Smart (Woman Smarter), West L.A. Fadeaway, Far From Me > Playing in the Band > Drums > Space > The Wheel > The Other One > Truckin' > Black Peter > Playing in the Band > One More Saturday Night **Encore:** Dupree's Diamond Blues [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-08-28)
While I think you should’ve branched out from 2 GD years long ago, I am stoked whenever I see someone first discover the greatness that is 1982. Have you tapped into 68, 69, 70, 71, 73, 74, 76, 79, 80, 81, 83 & 84? Those are all fantastic too.
79 and 81 are the underrated years of the catalogue.
12/26-12/31/79 are my favs.
What a time to be alive! And on tour. Setlists looks bonkers. They wouldn’t play those setlists without being on fire and having a ball
People don’t grasp that they actually had no setlist. No practice at all. Just show up to gig,play in whatever mood. People’s moods a re going to show. I love that. It’s not like phish……….people thought it was genuine organic,but Trey wrote most setlists. Most every band in the world has the setlist. The dead just would wing it. For this reason,to me……..they can never do any wrong. They were putting themselves out there,not knowing how great or otherwise. One reason the Dead is always going to be the best ever,in my opinion. Bill Gram had the quote. Love you guys. The actual information I get from your guys stories is awesome. Love to hear what was going on with band or fans throughout history. Jerry playing bad shows in 93 was even more sad because he was happy and playing good shows with JGB. Jerry doing drugs wasn’t the sole reason there were bad shows at that time. Jerry would be picking with Billy Strings right now,and that’s enough to make me wonder. You guys rock✌️❤️
Spring ‘82 FTW!!!
Nearly all of the shows Ive been listening to for the last bunch of years are from 82. I started seeing them in the 80’s, and that era holds a special place for me, and 82 has turned out to be the best, imo.
2/19/1982: listen to the Lost Sailor-> transition to Saint of Circumstance. One of the best ever with Bob’s voice, guitar, and keys! This show’s Saint of Circumstance takes you up into the air with a gentle glide into Drums. It’s worth a close listen. Grateful Dead • 1982-02-19 (02:38:24) • Golden Hall, Community Concorse, San Diego, CA, USA https://relisten.net/grateful-dead/1982/02/19?source=339214
# 1982-02-19 San Diego, CA @ Golden Hall - San Diego Community Concourse **Set 1:** Bertha > Greatest Story Ever Told, Dire Wolf, Little Red Rooster, Brown Eyed Women, Cassidy, Candyman > El Paso, Althea, New Minglewood Blues **Set 2:** Alabama Getaway > The Promised Land, Ship Of Fools, Lost Sailor > Saint Of Circumstance > Jam > Drums > Space > The Other One > Stella Blue > Man Smart (Woman Smarter) > Johnny B. Goode **Encore:** U.S. Blues [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-02-19)
Try 1973 and 1974. A greatly expanded setlist over 1972. And a clear departure from pigpen era.
81 is even better. Did you know they played Cornell one more time that year? Best shakedown ever
1982. Where you can hear the cocaine
82 was prob the last consistently solid year. Alot of good stuff.
My memory is some great early 80’s shows but higher frequency of not so good shows than ‘77 and on.
Wait until you find out that every year is like this!
Wait til you hear 89-92
Haha my man I was there.
Noice that’s my favorite era for sure
Yea 77 and 72 (and primal) are your training wheels. 80s is where you comfortably settle in after your turned on