The Dead played thirty-five shows at Nassau Coliseum, and that great pit out on Long Island provoked the band to some stellar efforts during many of them. The coliseum opened in 1972 with an initial capacity of between 13,000 and 15,000 depending on the event. The Dead played their first show there the following year, beginning with a three-night run opening on the Ides of March. They would come back for two more dates in September of 1973 and then not return to the venue until 1979. From then on, their appearances were fairly regular, except for a five-year hiatus after the three-night run that this show is from. Their last show at Nassau would come on Monday, March 29, 1994, closing out with a Brokedown Palace encore, which I find perfectly appropriate.

The recording that we have cued up here is a matrix from Kevin Tobin. There are also a pair of matrixes available from Hunter Seamons. Hunter put the first matrix together back in 2008. After completing that matrix and sending it out into the world, Hunter then came across a cleaner digital source for the first set soundboard than he had used previously. So, Hunter sat down to improve on his earlier effort, turning out a first set only, all-digital matrix. Kevin’s matrix is quite sweet itself – a three source compilation – and captures the entire night. Thanks to Kevin, Hunter, and all the other tapers, sound engineers, roadies, and enthusiasts that have, over the years, helped preserve and share the Dead’s amazing music.