Santa Fe Part 2

[Revvin Jim G]

We drove around for a while looking for a place to camp for the night where we didn't have to pay a parking or camping fee. About twelve miles outside of Santa Fe, near the lovely town of La Cienega, in the dark, we found what seemed to be a vacant piece of public property and set up camp there. We had come to Santa Fe in three vehicles, and these served as our shelter. The ladies slept in the vehicles, while the rest of us slept with our heads, at least, under them, as there was an intermitent drizzle throughout the night. At least I hope it was drizzle, because in the morning we discovered that we were in the midst of goats and in, it turned out, the town dump. Of such circumstances Deadhead legends are made.

Undaunted, we started the day in high spirits, albeit a little hung over. There was more partying to be done and we were up to the challenge. On the way back to The Downs, we made sure to stop at a Circle K, where we ate breakfast and freshened up. If this had been anywhere else but New Mexico, we probably would have terrified the locals. But New Mexico locals are notoriously friendly, and recognizing without being told that we were concert-goers, several patrons asked us if we were enjoying the show, and told us to have a good time. If any of us smelled of goat piss, nobody mentioned it.

We made sure we would have a good time, and the Dead served as perfect hosts for drummer Mickey Hart's Birthday party. The show began with at least as much energy as the previous day's show had ended, and the energy grew from there. They started with "Alabama Getaway," and went right into "The Greatest Story Ever Told" and the Greatful Dead standard "Dire Wolf." Then there were two "new" songs, which turned out to be from the then soon-to-be-released album Touch of Gray. Little did we know at the time that Touch of Gray would skyrocket, quite by accident, to the top of the charts. We were at what would turn out to be one of the last "small" venue concerts the Dead would perform, as after that, almost all of their shows would be at venues no smaller than a football stadium.

The first set was pretty much a collection of songs, both familiar and unfamiliar. As at most Grateful Dead shows, it was just a warm up for the second set. The second set began with "Help On The Way--Slipknot," and went nonstop from there. This is what Jam music is all about, and the Dead set the bar. One song went immediately into the next, with maybe only a little noodling in between. The music never stopped until they finished the last song of the set, which happened to be "Sugar Magnolia-Sunshine Daydream."

Even when they had problems with the PA system during "Wang Dang Doodle," they continued playing while the problem was being rectified. This was Grateful Dead at its best.

One rule that The Grateful Dead followed that was not included on the main page of this site was "leave them wanting more." This ensured their huge success as a concert band, making sure their fans would always be back for the next concert. They came out and played one encore, "U.S. Blues," and, true to form, left us wanting more.

The previous two Dead shows I had attended had been while I was still in the Air Force, so Santa Fe was my first show as a civilian, and I could literally "let my hair hang down." A friend of mine, who was also at that concert, says, "The best concert is the one you're at, and the best song is the one you are listening to."

I believe in that philosophy, but Santa Fe 1983 will always hold great memories for me, as it was a time of friendship, great music, and wreckless abandon.

The show for Sept 10, 1983 is availiable by clicking here. For the Sept 11 show click here.