Jack Straw > | 1988-08-28 | Grateful Dead

2:27:16

Rating:

6.00 / 1 rating

Taper:

Slipkid68

Transferrer:

JEMS

SHNID:

gd1988-08-28.140488.sonywmd3.flac1644

Source:

Sony WM-D3 with stock mic > Maxell XL-II 90 minute cassette > Nakamichi CR-7A azimuth-adjusted playback > Sound Devices USBPre2 > Audacity 2.0 (16/44.1 capture to .wav) > iZotope RX and Ozone > FLAC

Taper Notes:

View NotesThis master recording captures the Grateful Dead performing in 1988 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. That day, the music didnít register as special. But playback allowed me to listen in a different environment, and after 29 years, I discovered some extraordinary moments.

The first set was somewhat low-key. While engaging and well-played, it never quite caught fire, though ìLittle Red Roosterî had a nice spark that carried over into a fine ìFriend of the Devil.î The works-in-progress ìFoolish Heartî and ìVictim or the Crimeî showed the band's workshop ethic, and in front of a large, end-of-summer crowd that probably had more familiar songs in mind, that was laudable.

ìJack Strawî and ìBerthaî opened the second set, two crowd-pleasers that usually appear earlier, giving the place a jolt. ìTruckiníî sounded robust, keeping the energy up, and we all got our tickets punched for ìTerrapin Station,î which tightened up considerably as it rolled to a great finish. But the high point was still to come, beginning with the jam out of ìSpace.î The band's focus there led to an amped-up version of ìThe Other Oneî and a stellar ìWharf Rat.î That was easily the most transcendent music the band played that afternoon. They found their collective mojo, making the last hour or so a real pleasure to hear.

I taped on the field, standing house right, perhaps 30 yards back. I had to contend with a bit of a party atmosphere and wind, too, both of which youíll hear at times. Fortunately neither intrudes at length and both dissipated as the show progressed. By the time the music got really interesting in set two, the sound settles in nicely. In post, I made a few edits and smoothed out instances where I missed a couple tape flips (one in ìTerrapin Stationî and another in ìNot Fade Awayî). Parts of the drums segment and "Not Fade Away" feature slight volume-down fluctations, but neither is a major flaw.

Thanks to BK for the transfer from the master tapes to digital (his only show came two days before in Tacoma, where near-disastrous sound problems and a lackluster performance deflated the argument I'd been making to him in favor of the band).

It was a good day at Autzen, among friends, fellow fans, and good opening sets from Robert Cray and Jimmy Cliff. And having made a decent field recording, I'm pleased that the music sounds better than I remember.

Share it freely, and for free!

 - slipkid68