Mississippi Half Step, It's All Over Now, High Time, Mexicali Blues-> Big River, When Push Comes To Shove, Box Of Rain-> Don't Ease Me In Crazy Fingers-> Uncle John's Band-> Playin' In The Band-> Drums-> Jam-> I Need A Miracle-> Maggie's Farm-> Black Peter-> Around & Around-> Turn On Your Love Light, E: Black Muddy River

SBD; via Bill Frank, Alan McCarthy

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Reviewer: doug_the_dude - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - August 11, 2013

Subject: -- What an awesome followup to the previous night's masterpiece - 9/16, 18, and 19 are essential peas in a pod. Maybe the best the Dead ever played at MSG.



Set 1 is a sly surprise - not too many jams, but *everything* is dialed in so well - check that downright CELESTIAL High Time - the band indeed played a few-some repeats from a few nights before, but, really, give this High Time a listen. I'll tattoo this mentally as one of the best I can remember. Strange to close a set with Box of Rain, but it works - emotional, beautiful.



Set 2's center is occupied by Playin' and its surrounding succubi - this is an *extraordinary* 28+ minutes of music, from Playin' to the end of Space - the sort of jam where Mickey has us in Beams-ville before we even know what's happening; if the tapers here had made this one, entire track, I'd *get it* - some serious exploration going on, and that's rare for '87, which was more about realigned, post-coma precision than anything. Ah, and don't forget to listen to Jer's solo at the end of Black Peter - ***yow***. - August 11, 2013--

Reviewer: BIG_R - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - October 14, 2009

Subject: 9-19-87 Incredible show and sound. I usually reserve five stars for my favorite years (74, 77, 78, 89, 90) but this earned it. - October 14, 20099-19-87

Reviewer: brendanmcauley - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - April 7, 2008

Subject: Great show with seemingly weak list I was at this show!



It was very well played and the odd placement of maggies due to Farm Aid was interesting. This was only my 5th show. I loved the 'playin' jam even then- that is what was amazing about it. Listening now is such a pleasure. I love the sound quality as well. I think the sound quality really stands tall on this show. 'High Time" is also a pretty long version with an interesting bridge jam that has Jerry sparkling some nice solos though out the entire first set, especially in this tune.



Funny memory- I went to this show straight from a Highschool football game I played in...I was to change at a friend's in southern CT but we were late so I had to go all the way to grand central and walk to the garden in...yes that is right, you guessed it...Football Gear! I had muddy pants and cleats and bloody knuckles and changed into jeans but needed to keep my cleats on (andd carry and deal with my padded football Pants!) because I forgot a change of shoes. People were thinking it was odd to see me, like in the 'Festival Express' movie, during Speadway boogie" in Canada, some kid showed up in a full outfit- shoulder pads and all with hemet under arm! I guess I was no alone!



Great recording! - April 7, 2008Great show with seemingly weak list

Reviewer: EdgeHead - favorite favorite favorite favorite - September 20, 2007

Subject: ...and now my second show... Northstar had us commenting on our first show yesterday (mine was a few days prior in this MSG run)....and now GreggyD reviewed this show...my second...this was a great show but we were all 18 at the time and we were really out of our minds that night...hanging on for dear life as I recall...listening to the recording of Bob making the FarmAid comments is cool now, but at the time there was great confusion in the crowd as to what the hell he was saying...it kinda broke from the vibe since they hardly ever said anything on stage let alone in the middle of a song. I saw at least 20 MSG shows ranging from the Dead to Dio in 84-87 and the crowd was completely insane (in a good way) every time. I would have to say that MSG had the wildest shows I’ve attended of many hundreds. - September 20, 2007...and now my second show...

Reviewer: GreggyD - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - September 19, 2007

Subject: Great Sound Quality! Really digging this show!



Something that always fascinated me at these shows was how they messed with the sound - did wierd phase-cancelling, notching effect. It wasn't just me haring things ... i remember hearing this when I was straight at these shows! The version of High Time has some sort of phaser effect going on that reminded me of what we used to hear through those massive delay towers ...



oh the memories ...



and yeah, JBoy kinda drives me nuts, too! - September 19, 2007Great Sound Quality!

Reviewer: Trevor tnt Toll - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - September 1, 2007

Subject: wow this is some of the most mind bending pitb ever. wish i was there listen to this show u wont be disapointed. - September 1, 2007wow

Reviewer: JurassicBlueberries.com - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 1, 2007

Subject: PHIL LOVES NEW YORK This show is proof! - May 1, 2007PHIL LOVES NEW YORK

Reviewer: gruUbic - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - September 21, 2006

Subject: Dylan and da Dead For those who got p*ssed when the Dead got "too popular" late 80's -- give credit to this show -- covered on the boob tube --



The MAggies -- first on stage by the boyz???

right on track...

they were/ are and will always be masters...



think bout it --

Miracle > Maggies --- in MSG -- first time

all knowing dylan with'm and opening...



Dylan and the Dead ----

priceless.



5 - September 21, 2006Dylan and da Dead

Reviewer: pnc - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - July 19, 2006

Subject: good sound 5 stars for the sound and the memories...msg was always fun and this run was no exception. - July 19, 2006good sound

Reviewer: qman64 - favorite favorite favorite favorite - July 18, 2006

Subject: Finally!!! I always saw the Boyz when they came to town and on this occasion I was lucky to see "the show" of the run. I've heard tapes of the night before which was HOT, but I think this show overshadows the previous night IMHO........:)



I ain't gonna work on Maggie's Farm no more......... - July 18, 2006Finally!!!

Reviewer: JByron - favorite favorite favorite favorite - February 25, 2006

Subject: 9/20/87 Jboy, once again you over analyze and try to impress us with your needless verbosity and vocablulary. Shut the fuck up already. - February 25, 20069/20/87

Reviewer: Bzl - favorite favorite favorite favorite - October 5, 2005

Subject: Fun show... A couple things that haven't been mentioned (having been there) :

--the reason that Crazy Fingers is a tad sloppy is probably due to the very large TV camera that was being stuck about a foot from Jerry 's face while he was trying to sing! He was startled.

--the Maggie's was a blast. It is the breakout of the Dead's arrangement, thanks to the live FarmAid broadcast at that point, and the first w/o Dylan.

As mentioned by others, the Uncle John's > Playing is fantastic. A great show to have been at, and a great show to listen to again. - October 5, 2005Fun show...

Reviewer: jboyaquar - favorite favorite favorite favorite - September 22, 2005

Subject: More inconsistent than previous evening; however, there are best of '87 moments here. 1st Set: Despite some lyric forgetfulness, Jerry's flush with notes during a brisk, easy to digest "Mississippi." Swaying and sashaying with the Hatfield's to an extendedly bouncy "All Over Now." Jerry and Bobby are gleely interplaying through the 3's on an increasingly delightful "Mexicali." Bobby's nuanced somewhat buzzed voice accenuates this tipsy "Big River." However, these libations are delicious-check out Brent's tinkling all throughout the late 2's. The crowd, urged on by a plain "Push" starts their booming chants of "We Want Phil." His response: "You folks have restrained yourselves so admirably the past three nights, You got it!" Excellence...everyone's blushing I'm sure during just a decent "Box." "Ease" ends the set on an average note.



2nd Set: "Crazy" comes out of the gate draggy and sloppy, though it is the right call. "UJB" shines some light though Jerry's vocals are strained. How about that "Playin?" So the song builds momentum and then Jerry gets a burst of the quickly moving gadgets as he dives us headlong into a smoky cavern. This may be the most fluid jam emenating from a song's construct so far in 1987. At the moment, void of blissful verbal musings...just so free..."Drums" takes the form of a demented walking trilotrope from Cirque. Imagine those beasties from "Silent Hill" scanning themselves through your closed optical gate...you're shockwaving. "Space" is exactly where my mind is. We're manditorily brought back down for a well-played but not electric "Miracle" "If you've been watching TV today, then nobody has to tell you how bad it is for farmers. You could do something: Give your money or support. Call 1-900-FARM AID." It's beautiful cause the riff's been shoulderin me for the past 15 seconds, one more round through and perfect timing with the opening words. The song's end is met with Bobby who's strongly urging a turnh towards "TOO" land, but is meant with crushingly non-support from Jerry who by silencing communicates the 'not tonight' message to Bobby who thereby quietens him. "Black" is carefully measured delivered with nuance and strength. "Around" is breezy and an appetizer to the charging boogie of our climactic closer, "Lovelight"

"Black Muddy" is well-earned and agreeably tired. - September 22, 2005More inconsistent than previous evening; however, there are best of '87 moments here.

Reviewer: Darkstarlsd - favorite favorite favorite favorite - August 16, 2005

Subject: 9-19-87 Drums superb....really define why they are so asstonishing.....I know most folks dont dig the drums section - but to listen to this again gives me the understanding why I use to stay inside and hear it..... The playing is superb...as well as the rest ..(RUSTY PIPES AND ALL)..... great MSG show bye and far........ - August 16, 20059-19-87

Reviewer: capn doubledose - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - July 13, 2005

Subject: Wonderful This is as good as '87 gets sound wise superb++ Jerry flubs it a few times but this is really solid. - July 13, 2005Wonderful

Reviewer: PUFFtronica - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - July 5, 2005

Subject: Black Muddy River !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whoa!!! This BLACK MUDDY RIVER is so sweet. One of those songs that can cradle you to sleep. Aamzing sound and even better setlist. A+++++ show!!!!!!!! - July 5, 2005Black Muddy River !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reviewer: gphishmon - favorite favorite favorite favorite - June 30, 2005

Subject: Get this for the Playin'!! I was at the MSG 9/18-20/87 shows, but this is the first recording I've heard of this show. So far, I've only heard the second set, but the sound quality is excellent, and the Fingers>UJB>Playin' is an incredible 30 min or so of music, even if the Fingers is a bit sloppy.



I'm very impressed by 72-74 right now, but one can forget what kind of energy an 80's show could have. I would give this 3 stars if it were an ordinary Playin', but this one grabs you by the throat and won't let go! Even better than I remembered. "Drums" are interesting too - there's nothing like a standard drum duet going on, but the segue out of Playin' sounds like something out of a $19.99 Casio keyboard. Weird.



The post-Space song selection leaves something to be desired, but Maggie's Farm is played well, and Black Peter is an extraordinarily hot version. - June 30, 2005Get this for the Playin'!!

Reviewer: Peacefuljon - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 20, 2005

Subject: art 4 the drug culture playin into drumz with keys very trippy, The show as a whole is very tight, but Drums and space is incredible. I never review Drumz and space but it's meleldic and great sound even the audidence screams.... very fun. I think I mite have been at this show......Five *****'sfor sound as well as Uncle John's Band.

peace - May 20, 2005art 4 the drug culture

Reviewer: Matty Kid - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 12, 2005

Subject: Black Muddy River Can never get enough of this song - rings through with clarity - May 12, 2005Black Muddy River

Reviewer: phgrant - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - April 18, 2005

Subject: the jam This is a great one. Soaring 1/2 Step to start things off, sweet High Time, UJB and a mind melting PITB. Hot miracle and a surprise Maggies lead us into a top-notch Black Peter. Check out how quiet it gets after the bridge, before Jer brings it to a stunning crescendo. - April 18, 2005the jam

Reviewer: bomberholds - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - March 11, 2005

Subject: playin this really is a smoking playin/uncle. as usual the dead are having fun in nyc. thanks archive. - March 11, 2005playin

Reviewer: gonzoc - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - September 16, 2004

Subject: Playin As the previous reviewer said, this show is all about the Playin. It was incredible. Few pieces of music have ever had the kind of effect that it had on me at the time. It's not just an improvisation, it transports you the way the early 70s Dark Stars and Playins do. It was simply mesmerizing.



Also note that this was the second High Time of the run. Not bad. - September 16, 2004Playin

Reviewer: Teaklee - favorite favorite favorite favorite - August 30, 2004

Subject: Playing in the Band!!! Spectacular Playing in the Band...A rarity in 1987, which was a nice high energy year overall, but lacked this kind of jamming. Not a bad show in general, worth a download.



This use to be my best sounding analog tape, NOW we have access to every great sounding recording!!!Thanks Archive!! - August 30, 2004Playing in the Band!!!