10-23-1980
Radio City Music Hall
New York, New York
On The Road Again gets the action started, and the old Mother McCree’s standard is a thrill. And from here on out, the rest of the acoustic set is all available on the Reckoning bonus disc. However, the music just might be sweeter on this recording, capturing the anticipation and joy of the audience – and maybe a few too many “down in fronts” – without sacrificing any of the crystal clarity. The Must Have Been The Roses is beautiful, capturing the rare magic of both Hunter’s lyrics and his music. Then a rich Dark Hollow comes out, Bobby’s delivery set off perfectly by Jerry’s picking and backup vocals. Jack-A-Roe then rolls out, all the match for the Dark Hollow. The crowd, which has not hesitated to make its voice heard all set, is revved up for the Cassidy, and they are richly rewarded with a sumptuous jam in the last minutes. The China Doll that comes out next is precious, and the Monkey And The Engineer is good fun. Oh Babe It Ain’t No Lie is slow and meditative, but so good before the now expected Ripple set closer.
While the acoustic set is the highlight, with some Heads even considering it the best of the Warfield-Saenger-Radio City run, the latter sets are not to be missed. Feel Like A Stranger kicks off the electric action, crisp and charged with lovely harmonies. The Mexicali and Althea – a Go To Heaven reissue bonus track – are back-to-back first set highlights, as is the set-ending Music Never Stopped, which lights off.
The second half has a solid setlist, and there ain’t a thing wrong with the music. The Ship of Fools, in particular, is off the charts. The version lulls you with its slow and moving beauty; the only knock might be that Jerry only sets off on a few runs, passing on a lengthier jam. Don’t sleep on the Sugar Mags closer either, as it puts a joyous, bacchanal cap on the set. And the Sugar Mags sets the stage for the encore, a Casey Jones that sets the crowd off, clapping and singing along in exultation.
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