Mississippi Half Step, Little Red Rooster, Friend Of The Devil, Memphis Blues, Foolish Heart, Victim Or The Crime, Don't Ease Me In Jack Straw-> Bertha, Truckin'-> Terrapin Station-> Drums-> Space-> The Other One-> Wharf Rat-> Throwing Stones-> Not Fade Away, E: Knockin' On Heaven's Door

Dry sounding matrix VERY HEAVY on the vocals, particularly Brent who is by far the loudest - WATCH OUT for some near ear-splitting profanity during Red Rooster. If your kid doesn't know the S- and the F=word, they will.







Compared to the already very clean TMNSP source of this show that circulates, this one has a more high end and doesn't have any of the dropouts (Half Step) or static (Friend Of The Devil) noted in the info file. Tape noise is almost non-detectable and NO noise reduction, either pre- or post-transfer, was used.







The tape flip in "Foolish Heart" (05:12 - 05:19) was patched from the TMNSP source which is itself missing almost 45 seconds of music from this song (starting at 04:29 on the previously circulated source) which is present on this new source. The TMSNP source happens to have a portion of the brief segment missing from this source's first set tape flip including the start of the third verse which I spliced in using Wavelab. This suggests that someone else was patched into the SBD and has a MSC unique from this source.







For the second set, I crossfaded the flip during Space so that it is audibly transparent. Oddly enough on both this new source and TMNSP source it sounds like there is an identical pause on this recording at the tail end of Not Fade Away > encore break.







The first time I transferred the MSC of the second set I noticed there were infrequent mild transient fluctuations in pitch which I had attributed to a battery issue at the time of the recording, however, I fastforwarded/rewinded the tape a few times, and played it back again a few weeks later, and the fluctuations that I heard on the first transfer are no longer apparent so I'm guessing that the playback somehow "lubed" the tape mechanism back to health, or the lower humidity or some other random thing. I did the same thing to the first set tape and retransferred it even though I didn't hear any pitch fluctations on the intial transfer.

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comment Reviews

Reviewer: kindnoodles - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - January 11, 2020

Subject: oregon field trip the best stadium in the country to see the dead.the shakedown street in the parking lot was fun and wide open.eugene police were normally pretty mellow and the hotels in town liked the hippies coming to town.those were the days my friends - January 11, 2020oregon field trip

Reviewer: JamsOnly - favorite favorite favorite - June 14, 2018

Subject: Standard 88 No Highlights - June 14, 2018Standard 88

Reviewer: kbmill - - December 7, 2017

Subject: bread crumb I sang a little while and then flew on. - December 7, 2017bread crumb

Reviewer: zzzboxofrainzzz - - August 30, 2016

Subject: 88 Dead Like much of 88, some flashes of brilliance with some moments of WTF is going on. Botched lyrics abound. Some nice guitar work on Memphis Bluz and Truckin'. And a sizzling TOO. Enjoy the early Foolish Hearts and Victims be caused what seem to some to be mishaps are the band working on the tunes. Why work things out in the studio when you can do it live "without a net"? Wasn't there so no rating. But all in all well worth the listen. - August 30, 201688 Dead

Reviewer: tyedyetomCT - - December 27, 2015

Subject: the 82888 show was the only show, i never made it into the arena... was terrapinned in the parking lot >>> - December 27, 2015the 82888 show

Reviewer: doug_the_dude - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - August 21, 2013

Subject: Underrated - This one deserves some serious '88 love - it sounds great to me; I was suspicious from the beginning with Jer's "My saddy dat down and cried..." but overall the mistakes are few and far between, save Bobby's thoroughly mangled start to Memphis Blues (hey, if you're going to do Dylan, bring your A-game, Bobby!) Jerry sings great and Brent in particular has some unusual and beautiful harmonies to lend (listen to Terrapin's buildup).



But the first set is well done; Foolish Heart and Victim, here still in their inception days, are ballsy 1st set closers for a stadium show, and, really, Jack Straw > Bertha to open the 2nd? Giddy-up!



If you have any doubt about how much energy they're bringing, check the interplay between Jerry and Bobby on Truckin' - heavy duty, yo....and post-space, despite it looking quite familiar on paper, is no slouch - everything's hot and smoking.



So, gotta go with a full five here. Pleasantly surprised; this one almost escaped my radar - - August 21, 2013Underrated -

Reviewer: greensparkly - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 23, 2013

Subject: First "real" show. I remember being hot, tired and confused in the heat, on the floor, but the water hoses were AWESOME. We made our way towards front and center, got about 25 feet away. Finally they come on after waiting for an eternity it seemed! So ok, I was starting to feel better. Miss 1/2 step, nice! Little Red Rooster, cool. But then, what do my ears hear, something I never heard before...a Slooowww version of Friend of the Devil? I was like "huh?" And it was just what the doctor ordered! I was just like WwwwwoWWWW...Other One was amazing. The song was literally like being on a roller coaster ride. The show, the venue, all so amazing and the people. One of the best days of my life. - May 23, 2013First "real" show.

Reviewer: deadwaight - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - December 31, 2012

Subject: 8/28/88 my first show. jimmy cliff, then robert cray band. i got zapped during truckin! first of many! - December 31, 20128/28/88

Reviewer: inmyriver - - December 11, 2012

Subject: Bertha Solo No one has mentioned it so far, but really, Jerry is just totally dialed in,and Bob and Brent swelling up from below. It's one minute of pure heaven. - December 11, 2012Bertha Solo

Reviewer: hkvseebach@yahoo.com - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - November 14, 2012

Subject: Enjoying the 'shrooms That#s what I really remember!!! - November 14, 2012Enjoying the 'shrooms

Reviewer: BataviaSparky - favorite favorite favorite - May 9, 2010

Subject: ME likey Let's get this puppy rolling with one big - "1/2 Step" - Jerr Bear belts out "IN MY WAY" - almost sounds angry - Right before the "Rio Grandio" coda. At 6:40 the closing jams sounds SO sweet, it's one of those moments in time where everything is perfect. Rooster's NASTY - listen to Brent's vocal at 3:40 - FILTHY! Easily a all-time favorite for me. Jerry just SHHHHredzzz at 7:20. Heavy distortion, wild fanning - taaaassss-teeeeee. Brent sounds luscious on "Friend", Flub at the start of "Memphis" gets washed away by the urgent drumming on this version. I love the sound on this tape. Weir misses the que on verse 2. I would call this "Stuck" a rollicking fersion. Booby goes 3 for 3 by blowing start of verse 3. check it out - perfect lead by Garcia - way to go Bob! Got it right! Hit verse 4 right on! This sure is a long song. BW is spazzing - keep it together, bro! Missed verse start que number 4. Four more minutes left, I'm gonna havrta cheat. Let me know if I miss anything after 8:20. On to "Foolish" Admit bias I do - I love this song since first time I heard it. Flat so far, 3:00 in. Did I say flat? I meant BAD. Non-Heads would be like "What the fu#$ is this! It's awful! 3:50 and hears the jam. Can this one be salvaged. Answer: nah. 5:20 features big recording speed bump, which has not recovered by the final "Unto a Foolish Heart" Brent livens up the tail end with some real nice key work. Tinkering into "Victim". I get it now- Foolish and Victim - real early versions. I wasn't thinking. Yeah need some work, and thoroughly abolish this show's energy. Can set 2 recover? Whoa there cowboy - "Don't Ease Me In!!!".ho-hum. "Jack Straw" along with "Bertha" - not notable. On to "Truckin'" We're reeled back in via the closing jam - Hot Stuff, and we're hearing... Smokestack?... no... crumble, crumble... ashes... aaaannnnndddd.... "Terrapin!" Well,then, let's settle in for the long haul. Jerry sounding rough early, but that is not to say bad. Solid version, but not noteworthy. Now "The Other One" Appropriately spacey, as this one is fraying around the edges. It's good for the attendees, just not something I'd reach for repeatedly. Got the Weir chipmunk vocal - no Phil takeoff riff. THE BIG PHIL LEADOFF RUN!!! Jeryy jams out pretty goodly intensely, albeit short. Holy Crap!!! This Other One is gonna Blow! Grab the women and children and run! Look out at 5:00! Intense stuff! Maybe another spin one day wouldn't hurt. Good listening overall. I give it a 3. Sound B+ - May 9, 2010ME likey

Reviewer: myhungryhippo - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 9, 2010

Subject: weird start to a 2nd set but i can dig





cant complain with the sbd doesnt sound like a ultramix - May 9, 2010weird start to a 2nd set

Reviewer: KCcandyman - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 8, 2010

Subject: Finally!! My first show....sweet! - May 8, 2010Finally!!

Reviewer: myrtlewood - favorite favorite favorite favorite - March 4, 2010

Subject: party I remeber this bearded chick who was topless dancing to some guy blowing a conch shell. Eugene is the place. Every body was singing mbop mbop mbop mbop as we walked out after the show. - March 4, 2010party

Reviewer: Dooly - favorite favorite favorite favorite - January 12, 2010

Subject: Fun Fun Fun Till Daddy Takes the T-Bird Away Looks like fun was had by all at this show. wish i was there! - January 12, 2010Fun Fun Fun Till Daddy Takes the T-Bird Away

Reviewer: Emmanuel Goldstein - favorite favorite favorite favorite - July 31, 2009

Subject: Goooooo Balls We made goo balls from the tops of the best northern lights...we really didn't know what we were doing. We made hundreds of them....each one was so strong, you were floored for hours. Poor Jimmy Cliff, he and his little boy danced and sang with the highest energy and no one could dance. We all just laid there and watch the clouds go by on one of the few sunny days in Eugene. LMFAO - July 31, 2009Goooooo Balls

Reviewer: Thad - - April 28, 2009

Subject: Brent? Probably got jumped trying to buy some rock up in Tacoma . . . I was in two-a-day football practices myself or would have been there and here with him... - April 28, 2009Brent?

Reviewer: taemacho - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - January 27, 2009

Subject: sounds pretty good This is a really nice sounding Matrix. I like the vocals like this. Instruments are clear as hell too. It has great bass. Even with these little amplified Radio Shack speakers I can hear Phil great when I go upstairs for a few minutes. I don't see why someone would say this show doesn't sound good. Someone said "ick." Whatever! A lot of the '88 Matrix shows really sound sweet like this. I don't know what was up with some of the '87 Matrix shows. Some sound all tinny with no bass and distorted and then some sound great. They really have much energy on this night. They were on this night. I read in Phil's book where Brent had the black eyes. Maybe there was more than one occasion. I don't know. I never understood why people drank like that. He sure was an incredibly talented guy though. What is that in the right channel after Friend Of The Devil? Was it Mickey listening to the radio? I like where Jerry sings "Saddy dat down and cried" He does something similar a few times in the show. I'm giving it five stars since the sound quality is superb. - January 27, 2009sounds pretty good

Reviewer: Samcigar - - December 23, 2008

Subject: I was there too Nice show.. J Cray and Burning Spear! Beautiful day. - December 23, 2008I was there too

Reviewer: Drumheadz - favorite favorite favorite favorite - March 21, 2008

Subject: We had a great time! This was a much better night that the previous show which was cool because it was my buddys Birthday show. We camped out on the coast which was really cool. Rainier Beer all night. The day of the show it was near 100 degrees and I remember seeing a few naked people running through the water being sprayed on the field from the sidelines. Lots of topless women running around. I remember the Western Skys on Knockin on Heavens Door being significant! A true west coast show! Crazy times in Oregon! - March 21, 2008We had a great time!

Reviewer: alienshroom - favorite favorite favorite favorite - March 20, 2008

Subject: ALIENSHROOM SHOW WAS HOT SO WAS DRUMZ SPACE JERRY WAS THE ONLY ONE PUSHING FOR TERRAPPIN - March 20, 2008ALIENSHROOM

Reviewer: spikedriver - favorite favorite favorite - February 2, 2008

Subject: till death do us part Jerry rips Foolish heart to end the set.



Just east of the soundboard a white vailed deadhead exchanges vows with tie dyed groom.



TRUCKIN' rocks, mosh pit for THROWING STONES - February 2, 2008till death do us part

Reviewer: Golden Door - favorite favorite favorite - December 23, 2007

Subject: Oregon Heat People are pretty critical, but this was a fine show, and the recording here captured from the vast Autzen Stadium is admirable.



Jimmy Cliff and then Robert Cray opened the show, which started in the mid-day August Oregon heat......pretty interesting with J. Cliff rocking the place and R. Cray giving a steamy, subtle performance.



The Dead was a little rough, particularly Brent, who was haggard and kind of dark all show. He was sporting some black eyes, the cause of which was open to speculation at the time, but clearly associated with some good bouts with the bottle.



With the late day sun just getting ready to set over "Western skies," Knockin' was memorable and well performed......some eight hours later we returned to the car .... spent and happy!!! - December 23, 2007Oregon Heat

Reviewer: CatherwoodTirebiter - favorite - August 28, 2007

Subject: Ick! Terrible recording. - August 28, 2007Ick!

Reviewer: Todd A - favorite favorite favorite - August 20, 2007

Subject: Jimmy Cliff? I went to this show, I believe Jimmy Cliff and maybe some other act opened. Beautiful day and one of the only west coast shows I ever saw. Such a different vibe with most of the folks being veteran and rather jaded heads from California. I recall the show being very average but the day being fun. It was interesting also standing on the 50 yard line milling about during the show. My brother and those gels...the night got weird. - August 20, 2007Jimmy Cliff?

Reviewer: crazyfingerz - - August 7, 2007

Subject: Disregard jboyaquar's Review Below: Just Listen to the Show jboyaquar doesn't know what the flying f*%$ he is talking about. I'm sick of his/her reviews - basically, an annoying pundit, a cancer. Personally, I don't think j-boy ever attended a show. I think he's got a little too much time on his hands to be writing these lengthy critiques - get a life and a job. Perhaps, he should spend his time practicing his rational numbers - I'm sick of the 2 and 4/9th stars. Doesn't he know that a "star" cannot be broken down into a fraction, it's a whole or nothing.

Back to the MUSIC!

Let's just enjoy the music for what it was and what it still remains - beautiful. If you don't like it, listen to the radio.



Cheers! - August 7, 2007Disregard jboyaquar's Review Below: Just Listen to the Show

Reviewer: jboyaquar - favorite favorite favorite - January 18, 2006

Subject: Strange disjointed show 1st Set: 94 seconds of as respectably formally labeled as 'Set 1 Intro' precludes this evening's slice of music. Back to "Mississippi" we go. Mercifully, Jerry's voice is back to normal. A pointed version with Jerry striking some gold in the outro jam....nothing terribly novel struck. An immediate segue into a chuggin "Rooster" whose solos not always pleasant to hear are at least active. I dig Jerry's grungy work late 7's/early 8's. Wow, if I was expecting to rock my pants off immediately upon the boys appearance I'd be thrown off my rocker a bit...as their next tune is the patient lullabye arrangement of "Friend." Jerry and Brent scale some lovely heights during 6 and 5 respectively. Is the sun departing casting off an array of colors/stars glistening in the sky? The version deserves an idyllic setting. Moving on to "Memphis Blues" Nice try Bobby, but he forgets the first few lines. I know I'm a sorrysport, but I can't get roused when Bobby's forgetting half of every verse. Musically, it's a pleasure to listen to. There's no silly/frivolous selections so far on this bill of fare. Summer has reached its apex, and now some reverential words from such a sage, "Foolish." (smooth, but not resounding) Was that "Jack" they just teased with a note or two? Maybe not, as Bobby veers off to a run of the mill "Victim." Geez, if I was pumped to hear sunny tunes tonight, I'd be stuck in some blues. Ha, well isn't "Ease" an ironic selection considering the wealth of material selected for tonight's show. It's fine, but a little straight-faced for my preferences.



2nd Set: Almost three minutes of tune-up with the 'Set 2 Intro' before our "Jack" fantasies come true. Although the voices shriek with climactic purpose, the music never reaches explosive or hard-rocking levels. It's fine, but thin. Bot it looks like they're making up for the dour tunes by inserting everyone's favorite easy-going delight, "Bertha." They're not ideally tight, but it's fun fun fun. Geez, Brent sounds like a wounded animal during the outro 'anymore.' "Truckin" has a great assisting steady beat that makes the casualness of the performance still hot. Definitely above-average version, far more urgent than usual. "Terrapin" is well-intended and eagerly played but not unifiedly presented. BTW, Brent should stay as far away from the mic as possible...something's awry. Off to "Drums-" starts out inquisitive and turns loud and imposing. Mickey never goes away as it appears that Jerry and Mick are riffin on "TOO." It becomes hysterical and overwhelmingly intense by the fifth minute with some tweakin by Bobby that's painful but fits. "Wharf" is adequate whereas "Throwing" is better than the last performed but lacks a hardened backbone. Of course we're in "NFA" land; the most unique part are the playful riffs Jerry and Brent share during the outro.



Your typically nice, though not brilliant "Knockin" closes out shows performed in August of 1988.



2 4/5th stars - January 18, 2006Strange disjointed show