Alabama Getaway-> Greatest Story Ever Told-> Sugaree, Me & My Uncle-> Mexicali Blues, Shakedown Street, Little Red Rooster, Althea-> Looks Like Rain-> Deal Samson & Delilah, Ship of Fools, Estimated Prophet-> He's Gone-> The Other One-> Drums**-> Not Fade Away*-> Wharf Rat*-> Around & Around*-> Good Lovin'*, E: One More Saturday Night*

stereo FM -> reel master -> DAT -> CDWAV -> SoundForge -> CDR, with other FM patches; via Hanno Bunjes et al; see info file for detailed notes; Hanno's notes

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Reviewer: CJed - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - July 30, 2020

Subject: Great show but Pete....? I actually found this show on The Who fan page on Facebook! I clicked on the video and they were coming out of d/s into NFA. I knew instantly that this was "one of those shows". The boys were on fire!! I must admit, I was a bit surprised by Pete Townshend's lack of contribution. Looked like he was having fun but Jerry, Bobby, and Phil just buried him!! Someone mentioned Weir showing Pete the chords during Wharf Rat, that was pretty funny.



But one of the monsters of rock, Pete Townshend, sounded and looked pretty lost. But anyway...dying to hear the rest of this show because, like I said, I knew instantly that this was a smoker!! Pete's gotta stick to his memorized songs and playlists. Sorry Pete, I really do think very highly of you but this was a different ballgame.



- peace

- July 30, 2020Great show but Pete....?

Reviewer: Frutaldo - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - April 14, 2019

Subject: Perfect mood That's it, for the entirely show the band look and play real tight and soulful , amazing versions of many song, love "look like rain" on this concert, "shakedown", "He's gone", "Wharf rat" ....it is truly a gem - April 14, 2019Perfect mood

Reviewer: hifichoctaw - favorite favorite favorite favorite - February 10, 2019

Subject: One of my firsts While my first show,was still 7 years from this date...This was my first bootleg..my "shroommate" at skool in Vermont,turned me on to it..the Althea,was my favorite...still one of them...many fun shows and years later..my 15 yr old daughter,came up and said.."Hey Pop,you ever heard Althea?"I might drop subtle hints,about some music they might give a listen to,for the most part,they come out to my welding/sculpting shop,and usually the OnkyoTX6500mkii,is effortlessly driving 2 sets of Klipsch towers,on 4 @96-100 db's,and ask what cool song I'm diggin on...They must find their own way....But I will steer sometimes....Both daughters have the infection,and the cure,which is the Grateful Dead...Tunes for the thinking person.Thanks to them and the countless heads,and engineers who made this all possible...passing the torch is easier than ever....its a fans duty...Oh and yeah,the fat cat def owns the 1st set...he makes that clear long about the 4 min mark on Sugaree. - February 10, 2019One of my firsts

Reviewer: doug_the_dude - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - October 1, 2017

Subject: -- There's a lot that could be said for this unique show; having dissected the video often enough it's clear this is one for the books. '81 has in general a really light percussive swing, and, of course, Weir's Dylan-esque mugging, but both elements are rather under control here as the band drives a hard, hard groove throughout.



Set 1 - Jerry positively owns this set. That Sugaree just goes on and on, the Shakedown many put in those "all=time" categories, and DEAL really blows us through the wall, is it always did this year.



Set 2 - a masterpiece from start to finish; if you do take in the video, most copies omit S&D and Ship of Fools; anyone have the entire thing in tact? I did try watching those tunes using alternate sources and the sound quality just isn't where it should be.



Anyways, once the boys hit Estimated it's off the moon - the transition to He's Gone is positively hypnotic, and that OTHER ONE, woah nellie....



You won't really get much out of the audio recording if you want to witness the truly delightful Karamazov Brothers interlude (Mickey and Billy "walk through the flames"). Ever see the Brothers perform Shakespeare's "Comedy of Errors"? Check it out, you'll love it.



Post-Space has a very shrunken, diminutive Pete Townshend trying to get in on the action. I love the Who in their own right, but Pete is really something to see here....his face is downright ashen, wxxy, his body so incredibly high on whatever (coke), smoking onstage, swinging the neck of his guitar like he's doing a workout during the "salvation" section of Wharf Rat, Bobby trying to teach him the chords....the man contributes some nasty, distorted guitar, but it's really something to see just how out of place he is on stage. I know Pete envied the Dead's ability to switch up setlists nightly and just drift from one to the other, but when leading his own band he really is in more comfortable territory.



A word on this Not Fade Away. By the time the band drives out of Space, this machine is absolutely well-greased, and this has got to be one of my favorite versions of all time. Seriously, there is nothing resembling their "hurried" tendency they employed in '81 here - this is all pocket-groove awesome.



A show you really can't afford to miss - but check the video, it's really the only way to go. - October 1, 2017--

Reviewer: AugustEast76 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - August 31, 2016

Subject: It's like Christmas in August! The Setup: Aug 31st 2016 West Central Florida- There's one hurricane that's guaranteed landfall tonight and two more powerful tropical storms right behind it. As people scatter to get supplies I just make sure I have new shoes to listen to if the power goes out (possibly 2-4 weeks w/o power). I'm just punching random dates in the Archives and listen to one random track and download the show if I like the track. Once I'm done downloading 6-7 shows I'll make sure the dog has what she needs to get througb 3 Hurricanes and then I'll start thinking about myself. My priorities have never been in better arrangement! I feel good..

Anywhoo...I had NO IDEA that 1981 produced such brilliance from the boys. I cringe at the thought ofmost of "the coke" years. I cannot get over this "Ship of Fools"...

That perfectly imperfect perfection which is that crackle in JerBears voice is just so moving. Jerry had to be injecting helium into his fingers on nights like this cuz they are so light. Floating across the fret board like 5 little plump balloons. I could go on and in but I got some Hurricanes to get ready for! That makes me wonder...did they ever cover Dylan's Hurricane? About to find out. Farm Out People! Right Arm! - August 31, 2016It's like Christmas in August!

Reviewer: Boobounder - favorite favorite favorite favorite - March 17, 2016

Subject: Good Lovin' I've always had a soft spot for this song. Back in the 1980's, this was my go-to tape for a great rendition. - March 17, 2016Good Lovin'

Reviewer: cubsgirl1825 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - October 16, 2015

Subject: The Other One documentary This version of Shakedown is featured on The Other One documentary and for good reason. Out of this world! - October 16, 2015The Other One documentary

Reviewer: kbmill - - July 7, 2015

Subject: bread crumb A mid-set Shakedown Street has to be highly unusual. There are 77 first set Shakedown's and my random sampling has revealed only show openers. Oh how I wish deadlist had a more robust search engine. - July 7, 2015bread crumb

Reviewer: MtManbytheSea - favorite favorite favorite - May 20, 2015

Subject: Anyone know where I can find a DL? I'd like to add this to my collection, anyone know of a download for this show? - May 20, 2015Anyone know where I can find a DL?

Reviewer: Kutsavi - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - November 19, 2014

Subject: 3-28-1981 Video



http://youtu.be/52LAwi9ThhE Great show, total agreement with those noting Althea, Shakedown, and Sugaree as special. I don't see that anyone has posted this link yet, so here's a vid of the entire show - 3 hours and 22 minutes worth; great sound too: Kutsavi -- November 19, 20143-28-1981 Video

Reviewer: tacurtis - favorite favorite favorite favorite - September 10, 2014

Subject: Immense I love any time the boys went Shakedown->Little Red Rooster. And to add THAT Althea on to the end, wow, what a smoking sequence. Really decent sound on this recording, too. - September 10, 2014Immense

Reviewer: 4and20blackbirds - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - June 3, 2014

Subject: Best Althea, Best Shakedown This is definitely one for your permanent collection. If I ever hear a better Althea or Shakedown, I truly worry that my head might explode.



Sugaree connoisseurs ought to try the Dick's Picks #3 (May, 22 1977). - June 3, 2014Best Althea, Best Shakedown

Reviewer: dc in colorado - - January 1, 2014

Subject: rockpalast 81 some pretty tasty playing here. althea and sugaree are a stand out renditions. youtube has some pretty decent quality videos of most of this concert, all chopped up into separate tracks.



townshend "sits in" late in the show but he contributes practically nothing. he seems lost and he ends up basically standing there watching the boys play. - January 1, 2014rockpalast 81

Reviewer: lackinginsomedirection - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - December 1, 2012

Subject: Greatest althea/shakedown ever The althea in this song may possibly be the best song ive ever heard. The shakedown street was also a great one. - December 1, 2012Greatest althea/shakedown ever

Reviewer: AndyBear - favorite favorite favorite favorite - March 18, 2012

Subject: One of my favorite 50 shows... So hard to call things "best ever" cause it changes day to day for me...but I'd put this solidly in the top 50 shows...and is one I come back to again and again. Love the Shakedown, the Sugaree, the whole first set is pretty sweet. Second set has some nice highlights and they really get intense a few times, but there isn't consistency enough to make this a top 25... - March 18, 2012One of my favorite 50 shows...

Reviewer: dgmaffucci - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - September 22, 2010

Subject: Plenty Shaking on Shakedown Street Hands down best Shakedown ever! My personal favorite Europe show! Recording is a near perfect blend of AUD and SBD! A must have! - September 22, 2010Plenty Shaking on Shakedown Street

Reviewer: John Bouffard - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - March 9, 2010

Subject: I came across an empty space....... Just watched this whole video and it smokes! Sugaree, Shakedown, Other One, NFA if I was skilled enough I would upload it to my computer and let all watch it. Jerry's voice and guitar sound so good in 81. I think they started to speed it up a little? - March 9, 2010I came across an empty space.......

Reviewer: The TRUE Bucky - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - July 18, 2009

Subject: Can't Hear Townsend? You people need to listen more carefully.....



You can hear Pete T playing hard & clear as they go into NFA - awesome! One of the best NFA of the early (or late) 80's. The Estimated id great & TOO - well you just have to hear it. The best TOO of 1981 & quite a ride skipping through the lilly fields. The post=TOO space is short but very sweet. For a totally regular show srtlist-wise, this one is tough to beat.



AS for it being about equal to 6/21/84, you have got to be kidding me. There is NOTHING from 1984 that even comes near this show.....



Jerry was so jonsed out in 1984, you can barely hear him most of June. Check out Sarotoga or that Montana show where they do TOO > Wharf Rat > Miracle ? Dew. You can barely hear Jerry's guitar - And please don't tell me it was the tapes as I was there & experienced the decline in person. - July 18, 2009Can't Hear Townsend?

Reviewer: Wilson106 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - June 25, 2009

Subject: Rockplast maybe this is a dumb question but how can i store this on a cd for my library or is it for sale somewhere?? This show is incredible - June 25, 2009Rockplast

Reviewer: candyman09 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - April 16, 2009

Subject: First new morning with Jerry! at this time i was 20 years old, am im looking TV

early in the morning, and a warm feeling of happiness swall around my body. The Sugaree here is my favourite version, te break before 3`rd verse is unbelievable. - April 16, 2009First new morning with Jerry!

Reviewer: Chadim - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - March 22, 2009

Subject: A Great Show That was the first show I saw, and then went into lots of other musical venues, now in the last couple of years I've listened to loads of different Dead Shows from all years. And yes, they are all different, but I refuse to say one is better then the other - it is good we had them and that we're able to enjoy such vast number of excellent Concerts. And yes, sometimes they were more on then othertimes, but hey, again there is no other Band as the Grateful Dead ever!

Now, this show.

I've seen it and had it taped from Radio in 81. It has always been one of my favorites.

A smokin' 1st set with powerful renditions, a superb Sugaree, Shakedown,Rooster and Deal. Jerry gives two soaring Solos in Deal...

2nd Set:

Start to finish absolutely brilliant playing, with outstanding versions of Althea, LLR, Ship of Fools, Estimated, He's Gone, NFA, Wharf Rat.

Yes, Pete T. didn't do much, but he didn't hurt either.

And the long Drums - well, I guess you really have to see it, with the Flying Karamazov Bros. - if you like juggling then thats a real treat.

Hokay, thanks for listening, and I can only recomend this show!!! - March 22, 2009A Great Show

Reviewer: gilamonster58 - favorite favorite favorite favorite - March 16, 2009

Subject: Interesting Tidbit

There's no doubt that Jerry (and Bob for that matter) wipe the stage floor with him here. Still, a very solid show, especially the first set and Estimated>He's Gone in the second. According to Justin Kreutzmann: "Pete said that sitting in with the Dead at Rockpalast was hard because he was having the chords shouted at him. He was also surprised at having trouble keeping up at some points because he thought the Dead never rehearsed". http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/12/01/1608304.php There's no doubt that Jerry (and Bob for that matter) wipe the stage floor with him here. Still, a very solid show, especially the first set and Estimated>He's Gone in the second. - March 16, 2009Interesting Tidbit

Reviewer: cb18201 - favorite favorite favorite favorite - March 6, 2009

Subject: whats with europeans and clapping



this show has its highlights and is a fun listen.

does anyone know if this was the Rockpalast Festival or was it just a regular Rockpalast Television boradcast? they must really like clapping or somthing cause ive heard other boards where they do the same thing. on 4/14/72 at the tivoli koncertsal they start doing the "encore clap" after like the first song and you hear phil telling them that they dont have to clap like that after every single song because they will keep playing no matter what.lol they keep doing it after every song the whole show.this show has its highlights and is a fun listen.does anyone know if this was the Rockpalast Festival or was it just a regular Rockpalast Television boradcast? - March 6, 2009whats with europeans and clapping

Reviewer: GDAEN - favorite favorite favorite - June 24, 2008

Subject: Complete 19810328 video The complete 19810328 video is available

through the FurthurNET - at least until

our beloved Grateful Dead try to shut down

the FurthurNET (FN). The video @ FN is, however,

low quality. I have just come into 2 high quality

avi files - one for each set. I have tried to

contact the FN to add these video files

to the FN but have not been able to contact FN

through chat or the forum. In any case anyone

who can arrange for me to contribute these

two avi files to the FN, please reply/advise.

Fare thee well now ... - June 24, 2008Complete 19810328 video

Reviewer: magicarpetride08 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - April 4, 2008

Subject: Top notch Dead! I think that says it all... - April 4, 2008Top notch Dead!

Reviewer: august_west420 - - March 28, 2008

Subject: bad recording? I'm surprised this show hasn't gotten more good reviews. I searched this one down after seeing INCREDIBLE videos of Sugaree and The Other One on YouTube. The Sugaree, in particular, sounded like an all-time version. The Shakedown wasn't bad either.



Anyway, people should check out YouTube. Some really, really good and rare videos from this show. - March 28, 2008bad recording?

Reviewer: cHE13 - favorite favorite favorite favorite - September 9, 2007

Subject: wishful thinking Good show Dirk, yes, best show ever...sorry...:) - September 9, 2007wishful thinking

Reviewer: Dirk Stursberg - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - January 13, 2006

Subject: LONG LIVE ROCKPALAST This is definitely the best GRATEFUL DEAD show they have ever played. It was a fantastic night. The Grugahalle in Essen was rocking. I`ve seen this show live. And it changed my life. It seems, that the GRATEFUL DEAD played always better outside the USA. Especially the shows in Germany are the most terrific ones. GREAT SETS, GOOD SOUND QUALITY. Don`t miss it. - January 13, 2006LONG LIVE ROCKPALAST

Reviewer: BeholdtheLambofGod - favorite favorite favorite favorite - August 6, 2005

Subject: gutienhiemen After Furthur in 98 we drifted from s.f . to oregon and made our way back east. while on the coast i found a video of this first set in a surf shop on Jersey's Board walk- it rocks. - August 6, 2005gutienhiemen

Reviewer: Thunderman - favorite favorite favorite favorite - August 5, 2005

Subject: Great for the Sugaree I think this is probably the best 80's sugaree, it is pretty incredible..... it is actually so sweet that it brings tears to my eyes! - August 5, 2005Great for the Sugaree

Reviewer: skwimite - favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 31, 2005

Subject: sound nicht zehr gut The show itself seems pretty reasonable, energetic, but the sound is sort of tinny and echoey(?) at least compared to what we usually get from a SBD. What comes to mind is 6-21-84, and it's a bit better than that, but distracting all the same. Picky, picky. Townshend doesn't add all that much, and I only really hear him on NFA. Nice and fast Good Lovin', OMSN. Interesting, but not a must have. 4 for the show, 3 for the sound. - May 31, 2005sound nicht zehr gut

Reviewer: JonnyJFunk - favorite favorite favorite favorite - February 8, 2005

Subject: well great show, but europeans clap too much. it really distracts me from the actual music being played sometimes



show-4 stars

recording-3



ill give it a 4 - February 8, 2005well

Reviewer: nyc oldie - favorite - January 25, 2005

Subject: Ordinary, at best Too much fun in Europe for Jerry and Pete - January 25, 2005Ordinary, at best

Reviewer: nathalie - favorite favorite - January 22, 2005

Subject: overated Maybe my expectations were too high, but this was ,imho, an uninspired dissapointment. A very nice shakedown can't compensate for some pretty lousy sound quality. Maybe '81 was a good yr to stay domestic - January 22, 2005overated

Reviewer: Rabbi Meyer - favorite favorite favorite favorite - November 21, 2004

Subject: Why A Fan? I had an edited first set tape (started up with the Sugaree) since 1984 and always played the Sugaree then Shakedown St. for people who asked me why I was a Dead fan. Now I've heard the entire first set and didn't miss too much without the Getaway/Greatest Story (promising but not delivering). Also love the Little Red Rooster (Brent is terrific on organ). I've also streamed the 2d set and am perplexed about what was going on (probably should give it another listen). Great First Set alone makes this one a must have. - November 21, 2004Why A Fan?

Reviewer: Albix714 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - November 4, 2004

Subject: Rockpalast '81 This show is awesome. I remember having the bootleg in the mid eighties and loving it then. The post drumz Jamming is sssssick! - November 4, 2004Rockpalast '81

Reviewer: gganter - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - July 29, 2004

Subject: Pre Drums! I agree that the post drums is not very impressive. For me, the first set has always seemed a gem. A really slick Greatest Story--listen to Garcia move very deliberately through his effects as he shapes his solos. The Shakedown is really tight and strong. Amazing version of Deal--Garcia virtually breaks into Other One-style solos. I also really liked the Samson Estimated etc before drums. Quality playing. - July 29, 2004Pre Drums!