Wow...the crowd impact everyone mentions...it's true. Never, ever have I heard such appreciation for Jerry. First listen here...gonna check Candyman too. Is it a great aud tape? No, but that's not the point here. The Fat Man rocks!

(clap...clap...clap...clap) “Hand me my old guitar, pass the whiskey round, won’t you tell everybody you meet that the Candyman’s in town”

I was at this show and the next two- this show was as amazing as the Dead can be - Let it Grow!!! WOW :) The whole crowd was a magnificent blooming red rose! Bobby f'd around/up a bit at times, especially (I think!lol) at about Terrapin, but .... This show was an epic, history-making show.

The highlight of this great show is Touch of Grey. Of all the things Garcia did, like opening a Las Vegas show in 100 degree weather with "Cold Rain and Snow" or receiving a death threat in '94 and opening the next show with "Dire Wolf", opening this show, the first show after almost dying with "Touch of Grey" just makes me smile.

Living in the Bay Area, I had the privilege of seeing many 80's dead shows. 19 Greek shows, 7 New Years shows and more. But this show was special. We knew Jerry could be taken from us at any moment by drugs. That summer that thought was brought to light and it was scary. So when we got a chance to begin again after that scare, we were ready for magic.

I don't think it would have mattered whether they played well or not (they did!). We were together again. I remember standing at one of the entrances to the arena, looking out over the crowd. Candace had the lights on the crowd in rainbow colors, and I remember thinking, "The Tribes are together again!" The family was meeting and Papa was in charge. I felt so privileged to be there. I knew this was a special night in the history of The Dead, and I was there. I was home.

30 years down the road, it is definitely one of my top 5 memories of my time as a Deadhead. (5 stars for historical significance)

Amazing Althea. Amazing.

available in mp3 only? 3-4 stars for the show...1-2 stars for the mp3 provided (no flac or shn)

... and they mean it!

I just love this Greatest. Like Al Pachino said in Scarface: "Serious Money!"

it was so great to see the boys again that we enjoyed it...A LOT!!! lots of energy. but upon listening it feels like they are a bit tentative and reaquainting themselves with the territory. great memories. hard to believe it's twenty years later.

sound quality is not great, especially during the first set...very tinny, but workable. second set is better.

I, too, was there and have been looking for a recording of this show for many years. The overwhelming sentiment when the show opened with Touch of Gray was electric. As Jerry said in an interview one time, "not a dry eye in the house", and that was literally the truth. His shy waves to the obvious heartfelt sentimentality of the crowd made it even more poignant. Only Jerry can evoke this kind of sentiment from the fans. It's still hard to listen to the Dead without feeling a profound sense of loss. It was a sad day when Jerry died, eclipsing even the day we lost John.

Hi, I am Pizza T and I really like this show. It is tight, Jerry back from the dead and on PHIRE!!!!
He proves to us that he is da man. I prefer dead in 86 and 95 so far. I will continue my travels. The sound quality is about a 2 or 3, but the show is for sure a five. Jerry Bear is Da Man!!!!! The band that forgot time is what this show makes me think of!

I agree with previous reviewers in regards to the energy. I too got goose bumps when hearing the crowd reaction to TOG and Candyman. The band is playing pretty well and obviously emotions are running high. The sound of the recording to me seems kind of "Tinny". Also Bobby sounds more out in front of the mix than usual. I don't know, maybe it's just me. I do prefer this recording to the SBD just for the crowd noise. Over all I rate this as a high 3. Historically signifigant but only a so-so recording in my opinion.

This indeed was a very special night. This was my first West Coast show and I just had to see if papa was ready to rock. Everyone was very jubulent but reserved. Was Jerry really ok after cheating death 4 months earlier? Will it be different?
Yes it was. Jerry WAS never the same. Listen to his voice. Youthful Jerry had now completlely disappeared and ol craggy Jerry emerged. Still Jerry, but a deeper voice for sure. On this nite as well as the next 2 a chair was brought on stage for him to sit and play during the show when he tired. We even joked at the time, that his sitting would be the key to a longer playing career. Hey Jer could be rolled out and rolled back!
Seriously, listen to the Touch. This was the first time the "bridge" from the album was played in public and it was a new place to go with the music, and there was NOT a DRY EYE in the house for the chorus at the end. I'll listen to the candyman and see.
That whole run had doubleentandra for every lyric and verse. The most searing moment for me was the 3rd night during Black Peter when Jerry chose not to sing the line "... I was layin' in my bed and...." That was pure joy that we still had papa to sing to us.
enjoy

Man, that sh#t sent chills through my spine towards the end when the crowd starts clapping a perfect beat, and you can tell Jerry is in lovin the fan's affection. If I had a time macine that would be one of my first stops.

and will always remember the energy of the crowd. Once in a lifetime shows. For that alone it's a keeper, but for Candyman's last verse it's a must have. Telling everyone that the Candyman was back in town raised the roof. Jerry's voice may have been a little weak, but the heads filled in just fine.

also, 1st When push comes to shove and 1st Black Muddy River..energy...

Next to the Augusta, Me. 1984 shows, these are the greatest three shows of my life. I will never forget the energy at these shows.

If only I could have been there! This audience kicks. Great energy and the setlist is amazing. I had to download this show, you should too.

Thanks for posting this nice AUD. The energy is amazing. The Return of Jerry is a show every head must listen to.

Five Stars for historical significance.

Particular shoutout to wharf rat and candyman like everyone one said is awesome.

I had tickets for the Ventura '86 shows and got the news of the cancellation when I stopped to pick up my buddy for the trip to the coast. When I heard just what had happened I swore I would do whatever possible to catch the next show ... if there would even be a next show . There was and we made the trip from Tucson to the Bay. The thing I remember most about this show was the Candyman, and Jerry pointing down at us as he sang " won't you tell everybody you meet , that the Candyman's in town ! " I still get shivers when I think about it , the crowd in the coliseum erupted like Mt St Helens !!!!! That moment made the whole trip worthwhile !

Jerry is back and in good form from his coma.
The band and the crowd surpass the energy level on this one. Take a listen to candyman. The SBD is also good but lacking the crowd energy.
I give it a 5 for the energy

I remember Bill Graham sitting down beside myself and my buddy Dave.He was exhausted.We talked for about 15 minutes while he took a much needed break.He got a call on his radio that said Jerry was ready.He said he would see us at the break.My friend and I were taking bets to see what they would open with.I won.We all won.The first notes of Touch we started to cry.I looked at my friend and asked him,"Why are you crying?".He said,"Why are you?".Then we just smiled.It was the perfect way to say"I'm Back".We miss you Jerry.I still get a tear in my eye when I listen to this show.

I've been waiting 10 years to hear an audience recording of this show, and it was well worth the wait! Thank you Mr. Smith and Liu for a great sounding recording. The band sounds a little rusty, but the rust is far overshadowed by the energy in Coliseum. The performance may be a three or four star, but I think it's worth five stars based on the significance of the show and the amount of energy between the crowd and band. It sounded like everyone was glad to be back. I'm sure there is someone who tell can us about their experience attending this show??