Errico is a monster: JGB at the Rainbow, Denver, May 21, 1983

! Jerrybase: https://jerrybase.com/events/19830521-01

! db:

! map: https://goo.gl/maps/kPxHXq2U1Dpkd5bp7

! JGBP: http://jerrygarciasbrokendownpalaces.blogspot.com/2012/10/rainbow-music-hall-east-evans-avenue.html

! band: JGB #15c (http://lostlivedead.blogspot.com/2012/01/jerry-garcia-band-personnel-1975-1995.html).

! R: Field Recordist: unknown; field recording equipment: 2x microphones embedded in the bandana around the brim of a cowboy hat > unknown cassette deck, unknown media; field recording location: unknown, presumed pretty close up; tape source: Ken MacKenzie 1st gen cassettes, acquired from taper ca. one year after the concert; subsequent genealogy: unknown cass/1 transfer to FLAC.

! R: Tape Story, from Ken MacKenzie: “The actual taper’s name is lost to history – I met him in line the morning of the show, sat next to him inside, listened to the tapes with him and his friend in their van after the show, groveled a bit, and received the tapes in the mail, like a year later.  The only other thing I remember about him was that his friend was wheelchair-bound and the wheelchair was their means of sneaking the recording equipment into the hall.”

! db: shnid-91115 (1st gen cassette from Craig Johnson master); shnid-96908 (Bill Moran master).

! R: This master is distinct from and superior to both the Johnson and Moran tapes. Some of the superior (to my ears) sound may have to do with higher levels, possible speed differences, the brightness that comes from improperly decoded Dolby, or what have you. But this is fundamentally a better (and quite good) tape, seemingly made from a nice upfront spot. The Johnson master sounds more distant. This taper and Bill Moran were very close to each other. For example, in the run-up to I Second That Emotion (s2t02), you can hear the same exclamations, but from different locations. On the Moran tape, s1t01 @ 11:24, you can hear a guy say “All right” from a few feet away. On this tape, at the start of s2t02 (as tracked), you can hear the same guy, but he’s speaking more or less right into the microphone. In brief, this is the best-sounding tape of the three.

! P: s1t01 Sugaree @ 7:45 some nice raunchy, metallic shredding by Mr. Garcia.

! P: s1t03 STOF: The bass solo in the 6-7 min mark is pretty good, and sounds really clear on this tape.

! P: s1t04 TWLWMYD is very punchy.

! R: s1t05 Gomorrah clips in.

! song: “Gomorrah” (s1t05): First electric version since 11/3/78.

! s1t06 (1) JG: “We’re gonna take a break for a few minutes. We’ll be back in a little while.”

! personnel: Greg Errico is an animal.

! P: s2t01 nice fanning flourish around 12:05.

! d2t04 (2) JG: “Thanks a lot. See ya around.”

! Observations: This is a really punchy show, as most are from this period (see 5/31/83 and 6/1/83 for the hottest examples). Garcia’s voice is in decline, but not terrible; his guitar playing is absolutely torrid. Greg Errico is a monster, really a big hitter. Everyone else seems pretty well on their game. This second set is quite short for the period – four songs, a paltry 43 minutes. I don’t know if they started late and were up on time, or whether this is all they had, but it would have been disappointing.