
This five record box set came out in 2023. Recorded at M.S.G. on March 9, 1981. Comes with a 4 page booklet with an essay by David Fricke. Two years into Brent Midland’s tenure with the band and already with the twinkly keyboard. It just doesn’t fit! I’m sure he wanted to try something different than Keith’s piano but I don’t like it. I’m fine when he plays the organ and he does have the best singing voice of the band but at this point I don’t believe he is singing any of these songs. In a show lasting nearly 3 hours the first set as usual has a couple newer songs ,”Feel Like a Stranger” and “Althea” plus three traditional or public domain songs, “C.C. Rider”, “New Minglewood Blues” and “Deep Elem Blues” done electric for once. Also in this first set are the covers “Beat It On Down The Line” and “El Paso” plus two older ones “Ramble On Rose” and “Bird Song” always a favorite and with the best jam of the set. The second set begins with a great 16 minute “China Cat Sunflower>I Know You Rider” followed by “Samson And Delilah” another traditional song and “Ship Of Fools” one of their songs I never did like. A 65 minute suite of “Estimated Prophet>Uncle John’s Band>Drums>Space>The Other One>Stella Blue>Good Lovin'” follows with many great jams. “U.S. Blues” is the encore. Not the best setlist but still pretty good. A good sounding recording but this is the first Grateful Dead box set that has an issue with pops and ticks on all sides, although not too noticeable since the music is all pretty loud.