Set 1



Deep Elem Blues

I Know You Rider

Monkey and the Engineer ->

Candyman

Me And My Uncle

Mama Tried

Cumberland Blues

The Race Is On

Wake Up Little Susie

New Speedway Boogie

Cold Jordan

Uncle John's Band



Set 3



Drums ->

Not Fade Away

Hard To Handle

Cryptical Envelopment ->

Drums ->

The Other One ->

Cryptical Envelopment

High Time

Turn On Your Lovelight

Notes:



-- Source 1 provides Deep Elem Blues through Cumberland Blues



-- Source 2 provides The Race Is On through the middle of Drums



-- Source 3 provides the middle of Drums though the end of the show



-- Part of the acoustic set with members of the New Riders



-- Thanks to David Gans for sources 2 and 3



-- Thanks to Joe B. Jones for his help with the pitch correction

plus-circle Add Review

comment Reviews

Reviewer: c-freedom - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 1, 2020

Subject: This Darkness got to give.. Oh, sinning is a gentilized journey

Take Jesus as your daily guide

Though you may feel pure and saintly

Without Him walking by your side



And when you come to make your crossing

At the end of the pilgrim's way

If you ever will meet your Savior

You will surely meet Him on that day

Now look at that cold Jordan

Look at its deep water

Look at that wide river

Oh, heavy mighty billows roll

You better take Jesus with you

He's a true companion

Oh, I'm sure without Him

That you never will make it home



That awful day of judgment

Is coming in the by and by

We'll see our Lord descending

In the glory from on high

Oh, let us get in touch with Jesus

And in the special love of God

And maybe ever get ready

When he comes on Jordan's tide



This is a very deep Acoustic Set

especially when compared to the

'a band member is delayed' impromptu mini sets

of early 1970



The addition of NRPS in the acoustic

goes well both vocally

and with guitar and mandolin



Absolutely incredible

Speedway, Jordan, UJB

is thinking man's DEAD

(Are you kind ?)



The electric set is fierce right out of the gate-NFA

Intense Interplay vocally between PIg &Weir to close

Pretty cool that they could be so mellow for the acoustic

and so rocket fueled for the electric.



High Time in the last ballad of the Night slot

how rare would that have been in the 80s?



Lovelight has some nice harmonies

on the Shine on Me.. - May 1, 2020This Darkness got to give..

Reviewer: PZullo - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 2, 2019

Subject: May 1, 1970, the first show of the 1970 Spring tour and the first of An Evening With the Grateful Dead, New Riders, new format. I was there, at the end of 4-5 hours I was sitting in front of Jerry. The beginning of 8 days of madness in America. - May 2, 2019May 1, 1970, the first show of the 1970 Spring tour and the first of An Evening With the Grateful Dead, New Riders, new format.

Reviewer: CarrionCrow - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - December 11, 2018

Subject: Just to keep this going The twin to Harpur but so fantastic on it own. As good as the atmospherics are in Harpur - this stands on its own greatness. Very fine versions down the entire first set - perhaps not the drop dead great versions - but very unique in arrangements and the guest contributions - which are really huge. Marmaduke all over this. I attended the Filmore set on this tour and these Alfred/Harpur shows were just awesome. June at Port Chester (and November!) these New riders / acoustic dead shows are the best because they were followed by electric sets that bristled with virtuosity. Heck TOO from Harpur is arguably the best ever. - December 11, 2018Just to keep this going

Reviewer: cosmiksuckerpunch - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - November 28, 2017

Subject: Stream only? This killer shows deserves to be downloadable! I neeeeeeed it! - November 28, 2017Stream only?

Reviewer: Thumbblue - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - January 31, 2017

Subject: Sounds so good This recording is wonderful. Got to love it. - January 31, 2017Sounds so good

Reviewer: Cowglands - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 1, 2016

Subject: NRPS Harmonies I don't review shows typically, but the gorgeous high harmonies in Me and My Uncle and Mama Tried need to be heard.

I love both songs when played electric, but this easy acoustic is spectacular. - May 1, 2016NRPS Harmonies

Reviewer: jgmf - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 1, 2015

Subject: An Evening With The Grateful Dead http://jgmf.blogspot.com/2011/05/ln-jg1970-05-01gdall-126minssbd.html - May 1, 2015An Evening With The Grateful Dead

Reviewer: pinga - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - April 22, 2015

Subject: this is 1 sick ass acoustic/electric show! I own the Harpur College Dick's Pick's and this show is right up there with it. Great quality for a 1970 show and awesome setlist. Killer versions of their 'cowboy' repertoire, Me & My Uncle and Mama Tried...great The Other One and Hard To Handle as well...Hard to believe these guys would play these gigs to just 100 people or so...wish I could've been a fly on the wall of that auditorium in Alfred,NY! - April 22, 2015this is 1 sick ass acoustic/electric show!

Reviewer: doug_the_dude - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 1, 2014

Subject: -- Absolutely gorgeous. All the space around every note of the acoustic set is seamless, velvet-black. The vocals here are enchanting (listen to Bobby and Jerry on, of all things, Monkey & Engineer).



The electric stuff soars as well - Other One, NFA, the (cut) Lovelight - ten times yes! Will likely be among your personal faves. - May 1, 2014--

Reviewer: barreramusic - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - February 2, 2014

Subject: What a beauty And I haven't even heard a note of the electric set yet. Great sound! Thanks!!! - February 2, 2014What a beauty

Reviewer: DMTrue13 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - June 26, 2013

Subject: marmaduke this is awesome, great era. that sounds like john dawson singing with bobby on mama tried, i love it! - June 26, 2013marmaduke

Reviewer: mattsegel - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - June 26, 2013

Subject: Unbelievable I don't care how 'good' the second set is, the first set is unreal, Jerry singing on Mama Tried and MAMU...sound is perfect. This is gold! Actually upon further review I don't think Jerry is singing on those songs. - June 26, 2013Unbelievable

Reviewer: Highwater_Henry - favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 2, 2013

Subject: Clean The little extra line Jerry throws in on I Know You Rider is a line from Jimmie Rogers Blue Yodel No.1 , I believe. I guess it's just another shining example of how the Grateful Dead paid homage to those that came before. The quality of this one is amazing. All of it! The show, the transfer, and even the setlist! Thanks to Charlie for this one! - May 2, 2013Clean

Reviewer: oydave - favorite favorite favorite favorite - March 30, 2013

Subject: '70 bliss OMG Charlie..Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is the stuff we look for. To hear this crystal clear acoustic goodness...it just makes me finally realize what the internet was invented for....



Well...this and nekkid chicks. - March 30, 2013'70 bliss

Reviewer: GermanShepherd - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - November 8, 2012

Subject: I Know You Rider coolness This version of I Know You Rider has some alternate lyrics that I haven't heard before. [I'd rather drink muddy water; sleep in a hollow log, then to sleep here in Frisco; be treated like a dog.] Also from Wiki, it was the first song that Phil Lesh rehearsed with the band upon joining. However, Lesh was not confident enough in his own singing abilities to handle the song's lead vocal. - November 8, 2012I Know You Rider coolness

Reviewer: cloudsplitter - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - October 8, 2012

Subject: Those monitors....or beer.. A great acoustic set with a nice Deep Elem Blues to warm us up.



Dig it, like uh. - October 8, 2012Those monitors....or beer..

Reviewer: grateful hillbilly - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - September 10, 2012

Subject: THANK YOU I have lived near tiny Alfred NY all my life, and only recently found this. This is arguably one of the best acoustic sets they ever did! To think they actually played Alfred State, so wish I could have been there! Thank you archive for letting so many of us experience these shows when we were unable to be there! - September 10, 2012THANK YOU

Reviewer: Mind Wondrin - favorite favorite favorite favorite - September 6, 2012

Subject: Finally getting the deserved spotlight In the cassette days this circulated as filler labeled St Louis, and in poorer quality. Now that we have this in MoM quality (magic of Miller) we now know it's much better than the more famous following day! (Dicks #8)



For my money the 1st set is the best acoustic set of the 1970 format. After the Deep Elem warmup each song is totally nailed. The second dead set (which followed an NRPS set) is also decent enough but with most shows from this period, the focus was on the acoustic set. It has a good Hard to Handle and Other One is also worth the time.



1st Set : A+

2nd Set : C+

Overall: B+

4 Stars



Highlights :

Rider - A near-perfect example of the acoustic/slow-folk version (also check 2/7/70)

Cumberland - The funky thumping type

Wake Up Little Susie

New Speedway - On Fallout from the Phil Zone



A+ versions of the following:

Monkey and the Engineer

Me and My Uncle

Mama Tried

Race is On



The Miller95683 source is the best representation of this show and is itself part of the art that has made this show enjoyable. Consider the fact that the vault has no master. (And we finally get to hear this Other One) - September 6, 2012Finally getting the deserved spotlight

Reviewer: njpg - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 1, 2012

Subject: Fantastic acoustic set. Great show. - May 1, 2012Fantastic acoustic set.

Reviewer: bear06460 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 10, 2011

Subject: CLASSIC a beautiful and classic wooden dead performance. every bit as good as the harpur college acoustic set. - May 10, 2011CLASSIC

Reviewer: mbrokedown - favorite favorite favorite favorite - April 17, 2011

Subject: David Nelson Not too bad either... great 1st set & recording. - April 17, 2011David Nelson

Reviewer: Pangolin22 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - March 21, 2011

Subject: Sick of cowboy medleys? These versions of MAMU and Mama Tried ought to cure that. What an incredible acoustic set - every song is an absolute gem. The electric set is excellent too but almost seems to pale in comparison to that stellar acoustic set. - March 21, 2011Sick of cowboy medleys?

Reviewer: peasant - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - March 11, 2011

Subject: Nothing wrong with making money I have read comments often like the ones below that seem to suggest that there is some sort of artistic purity to be attached to being unpopular and bankrupt. Tell me. Do you think any band gets together and slogs it out on the road to build a fan base and puts out records so they can stay poor?? There is nothing wrong with the fact that after 1971 the Dead became popular and profitable. Get off your high horse.



That said....This is one sweet show. Thanks to all who were there back then to make sure that tapes survived. - March 11, 2011Nothing wrong with making money

Reviewer: Folkhippy - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - June 22, 2010

Subject: BEST NEW SPEEDWAY BOOGIE EVER!!!! I'm not sure why, but this version of Speedway Boogie is the only one that really stands out to me. Garcia never reproduced these shredding guitar leads again. His work on this song has been a clear example to me that he is the most lyrical guitar player I have ever heard. This show is the pinnacle of the "Workingman's Dead" era. Sit back and enjoy. - June 22, 2010BEST NEW SPEEDWAY BOOGIE EVER!!!!

Reviewer: tendercinder - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - April 14, 2010

Subject: mmm I am quite madly in love with this but very new to the glory...does anyone actually have this show ?? - April 14, 2010mmm

Reviewer: Smerdyakov - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - March 27, 2010

Subject: Acoustic Alchemy The acoustic set here is pure gold. Sound AND performance wise. Start to finish it's brilliant. Really.

The electric portion is scorcher in it's own rights. NFA burns. There are a few blemishes.

Still, this one is a keeper brothers and sisters. - March 27, 2010Acoustic Alchemy

Reviewer: gphishmon - - January 27, 2010

Subject: The harmonies are sweet There's some unusually lovely, on-key high harmony during the acoustic set - is that someone from NRPS sitting in?



Will rate it if/when I listen to the rest. - January 27, 2010The harmonies are sweet

Reviewer: beantown_adc - favorite favorite favorite favorite - January 14, 2010

Subject: the last part is a bit muddy Sad...the material from source 3 (Cryptical Envelopment on) suffers from some pretty harsh oversaturation below ~ 125HZ. Even a fair bit of tweaking couldn't stop my subwoofer from acting up. Unfortunate, because both the playing and the material from the other sources is excellent. - January 14, 2010the last part is a bit muddy

Reviewer: philzone1 - favorite favorite favorite favorite - December 7, 2009

Subject: wow super good me and my uncle! - December 7, 2009wow

Reviewer: crackmaven george - favorite favorite favorite favorite - October 21, 2009

Subject: alfred? alfred ny is just a couple of miles south east of alfred station in alegany couunty ny us of a - October 21, 2009alfred?

Reviewer: banditos33 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - September 16, 2009

Subject: cold jordan We needed more versions of CJ. - September 16, 2009cold jordan

Reviewer: the jeffy - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - September 9, 2009

Subject: Alfred may '70 Hi

just found this site!



I was there. was a freshman. The show was at the Tech college, across the valley.

The acid was very good that nite, but I do remember hanging out with Phil and Mickey as they loaded the station wagons to split after the show.

I think there were maybe 50 people at the show - haha!!



Next nite was the magical Harpur college show - we drove in Wally's '61 bug to binghampton. - September 9, 2009Alfred may '70

Reviewer: oh_uh_um_ah - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 2, 2009

Subject: The GRATEFUL DEAD "Live On Stage" May 1, 1970 at Alfred College, Alfred, NY, U.S.A. `



~^|\_@|@_/|^~

~/\~



Thirty nine years ago the GRATEFUL DEAD were in Alfred, NY wherever that is?



Why were they there? Because in 1970 the GRATEFUL DEAD were not a HUGE CORPORATE MONEY MACHINE, like most you know them.



They were the scariest, ugliest, freakiest, most bizzare show outside of a bonafide FREAK SHOW.



Most people today only know the GRATEFUL DEAD as this HUGE money making machine that only played coliseums. You missed it...so listen to the boys be the boys, without the big Bill Graham Production.



If you got turned on to the GRATEFUL DEAD after 1972, all you know of them is this huge money making machine. I remember when NOBODY would sign the GRATEFUL DEAD, I remember when Warner Bros, "GREEN LABEL" was losing money on the DEAD.



The fad of the "Hippy Scene" was exploited. Thank GOD the DEAD rejected that crap.



It's called show business, no business, no show.

This is before the business, before the corporations, before the avarice.



I think this is the best sounding, most complete set of songs for the May 1, 1970 show.



Okay there are several May 1, 1970 shows here on the IA. I got them all. I recommend you get them all too.



Get em' while you can, get em' while they're free, get em' now or you'll be sorry. The "Man" giveth and the "Man" taketh away.



Stereo mix, excellent recording, exceptional performances. A must have for any collector of 1970 GRATEFUL DEAD.



Me and My Uncle is in the pocket.



Sounds like Marmaduke (from the NRPS) is singing backup with Bobby on Mama Tried, written by Merle Haggard.



Electric GRATEFUL DEAD starts with Not Fade Away.



Hard To Handle is funky, Pigpen was the greatest front man I ever saw...The GRATEFUL DEAD were great, but they were the best when they had PIGPEN. Pigpen had soul, heart, and an unlimited amount of talent.



Cryptical Envelopement is sweet and jazzy...I loved the Ahthem of the Sun sets...no pun intended...



Eat, Drink, be Merry and Listen to the GRATEFUL DEAD.



Thanks for the Love. - May 2, 2009The GRATEFUL DEAD "Live On Stage" May 1, 1970 at Alfred College, Alfred, NY, U.S.A.

Reviewer: GennyBenni - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - March 8, 2009

Subject: to oh_uh_um_ha or whatever Garcia WAS using an electric on that song - that's why it sounds like one. He always swapped out his acoustic for an electric on this tune. - March 8, 2009to oh_uh_um_ha or whatever

Reviewer: Cliff Hucker - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - February 24, 2009

Subject: One of the very best wooden sets... This so fine, and it doesnt hurt that much of this is sourced from vault reels. What a treat having this incredible acoustic set in its entirety. (99 pts) - February 24, 2009One of the very best wooden sets...