john@felix.UUCP (07/18/84)
Well, they certainly were the Good 'ol Grateful Dead in Berzerkeley. Opening nite was Friday the 13th. This turned out to be the only show I got to see (tickets were scalped for $40.00, but I had other plans while in the bay area). The sound was not quite tuned in, but the boys kicked into Bertha, and took off. Second set the sound was improved, but I think from the top of the hill it's not quite as good as the bottom of the Greek bowl. Finishing off with Sugar Magnolia, the band vanished quickly, as usual (were they ever here at all?). The lights stayed down, the crowd roared, and only Bobby came back out, to mumble something like "Give us a minute and we'll be right back" (sounds like the end of a first set). The lights stayed down, the crowd was relatively quiet, and for 5 or 10 curious minutes, we waited. Then Phil came out to explain they were trying to get something together for a "one nite only" special event, so please be patient (which we always are.) Some large projection screens dropped down, and a few minutes later the band walked out again. Soon, the first few notes drifted out, and the place went into full tilt crazyness. There we were, on Friday the 13th, an almost full moon is rising over the trees behind, and the Dead gave us DARK STAR!!! How long has it been?? I can tell you I have never heard it live before, being a relatively "new" Deadhead of 4 years. But it was like they had been playing it all along. It was then I wished me and my deck were down front, and that I was at the beginning of a blank side of tape. I was not prepared. But I feel luck to have even a week version, with a 3 secon break near the end. If anyone has a better version, please contact me! Also, Phil sang "Why Don't We Do It In The Road" on Sunday. It looks like this now part of the regular songlist. Well, on to Ventura! John Gilbert ...!decvax!trwrb!felix!john