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This Uptown run (8/19-21) finds the band in excellent form. It's a little more than a month prior to the start of the Warfield Theater residency (9/25-10/14), which was followed by two nights at Saenger in NOLA (10/18-19) and the longer run at Radio City Music Hall (10/22-10/31). Those shows are of course fantastic and most heads know it. As for these, well, you know what's been said: there never was a bad show at the Uptown!



Notes to this SBD state the following: "Be warned...poor quality sbd of a great show." Re: the sound quality, I think that's a bit overstated. Point taken, but as erik65 adds: "Funky SBD, there's a slight hiss, but the mix is juicy, with good separation and high levels." In other words, and I agree, this SBD is better than suggested.



About 4 minutes into the Half Step opener, Phil's bass really becomes prominent. He sounds great. To date, this might just be the best show (and run) at the Uptown- and that includes 8 shows from '78 and 3 from '79. Hot summer '80 run! Love this opening sequence: halfstep->franklin's->minglewood. Row Jimmy sounds good and Brent is really settling in, especially on the new tunes from Go To Heaven. Those featured here include the final three songs of the first set: Althea, Easy to Love You, and Stranger. Stranger works, too, as first set closer - done four times in '80 and then no more - but nothing tops it as a show opener (or at least second slot-Bobby opener).



Rare Rooster to open the second set. Hey, it's Chicago. Followed by China-Rider->Estimated and then a speedy Eyes. So over 40 minutes of pre-drums/space jamming. Eyes is speedy and spacey on the outro leading into drums. On the other end of space, it goes into a really neat and sweet Playing-Comes a Time->Playing sandwich. Never heard it placed like that before. Also different, I like the Around and Around->Alabama Getaway to close. Johnny B Goode encore!



Four stars -- mostly on account of the audio that struggles. Otherwise, might've been a five. This second set does not let up! Great show.



- May 17, 2018Hot Summer of '80: Uptown n1