07-30-1983
Ventura County Fairgrounds
Ventura, California
The wind blew hard and the dust circled during the Dead’s two-day stand at the Ventura Fairgrounds, but otherwise the weather was beautiful in the afternoons with the sun shining and temps in the 70s along the coast. Having the ocean spread out next to the venue did not hurt the festival vibe either. Into this atmosphere, the band starting things off with a solid China> Rider. Though always a welcome opener, the combo is a bit short at just over twelve minutes. Regardless of the length, the boys are connected and rolling, and the crowd on this front of the board recording is clearly stoked. It did not hurt that, as the Dead worked through Rider, a train worked its way north up the coast, its front light becoming visible as Jerry sang out “I wish I was a headlight on a north-bound train.” While the rest of the set might not be as serendipitous, it is at least as luscious, even gaining momentum into the break. First, a gorgeous Cassidy with a boxy, abbreviated jam in the latter half turns the music up a notch. Then a monster Loser emerges with some thunderous solos from Jerry. Finally, a Music Never Stopped with a bit spacier and imaginative jam in the middle closes out the set in an inventive, rocking fashion.
China Cat Sunflower-> I Know You Rider, It’s All Over Now, Brown Eyed Women, My Brother Esau, Big Railroad Blues, Cassidy, Loser, The Music Never Stopped
Set 2
Sugaree, Playin’ In The Band-> China Doll-> Drums-> Truckin’-> Black Peter-> Sugar Magnolia, E: U.S. Blues
A rare second set-opening Sugaree gets it going out of the break. The song actually starts off a little tepid before the boys launch an absolutely scorching jam in the middle. And the band does not let up from there, dealing throughout the latter half of the tune. The Playin’ that comes next builds off the Sugaree’s energy, covering a tremendous amount of ground while rollicking off on a few different paths before settling into a spacey segue into China Doll. The China Doll is a bit cacophonous, and Jerry’s vocals are labored, but it comes together on the final verse. Then, a subdued jam ensues slowly building to a Playin’ reprise of sorts. Throughout, the drummers assert themselves, and rest of the band finally cedes the stage. Even after Drums, Mickey and Billy continue to drive the jam, eventually pounding it into Truckin’. The crowd cheers along throughout as everyone, especially Brent, throws down. Black Peter follows, with Jerry taking us down that dark road once again with his haunting vocals and playing. A classic Sugar Mags ends the set, and, with a rocking U.S. blues encore, the boys cap off yet another incredible afternoon of music. Being right on the beach, masses of Deadheads then headed for the sand, stripping off their clothes and swimming while the sun set over the Pacific.
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