A few of our music experts weigh in on a Grateful Dead concert from October 14, 1983 at Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, CT.
Jozy S.
This show brings back great memories, unlike the following night’s show that weekend in Hartford in 1983. It was the best seats I ever had for a show. We were front row, me and 5 friends, about 15 feet in front of the band. Security was tight and there was plenty of room to move.
The band opened up strong and gained momentum throughout. The show peaked at Scarlet Begonias, Fire on the Mountain, Estimated Prophet and Eyes of the World (68 minutes). They really came out in the second set and blew the roof off, especially during Fire. Jerry just openly rips and the band’s got his back. The quality of the recording is good and I’m now glad I can compare this show to the following night (that’s another story). This show is the boys at their best in one of best years they had.
Blue Dog
This is a FANTASTIC show – wish I’d known what I was missing in ’83 – but I was too young & dumb.
I already Have Dicks Picks 6 (this show), but I took a listen to this and I like this AUD better. The SBD on DP6 is a good recording, but it’s not as full as the one these guys did and DP6 doesn’t even come close to capturing the feel and energy that must have been there the way this recording does.
Thymer
I must thank Jerome Garcia for all the inspiration he has provided for me over the years. The man was “Mozart” in disguise. He looked me in the eyes once before, and that was the last time I saw the man alive. Warfield, S.F. 1994, JGB. John Kahn was alive then too. I miss them both. Did some hard time for being noticed. It was worth it though.
Anyhow, Jerry’s guitar is the “nebula.” He taught me most of what I know about tuning in. Thank you Jerry. I miss you man. I’ve got a lot more to learn.
Phlesh
This is one of those cases in which the AUD tape of a show is much preferable to the SBD (as released on DP6). The quality of the AUD is fantastic and very clear! Whoever taped it did an excellent job of mic placement and finding the right place in the hall to record.
I don’t want to spoil the fun but the second set is just epic. I love listening to it when I do masonry repair in Syracuse, NY. The Scarlet>Fire is one of the best ever played, better than 5/8/77 in my opinion. The Eyes>Drums>Spanish jam>Other One is great but the Stella B. is fantastic; one of the all time great Stellas.