Some sources list this as a Tempe show, but it was held (what was then) 15 miles S of the metro area, just outside Chandler, at the "new" Compton Terrace. The name is great marketing, conjuring a CalExpo or a Shoreline, or at least terraces. But it was a dirt slope in the Sonoran Desert, in a dusty area next to a raceway. Phoenix in August is not a wise travel choice. Note that the last time they played this region was in March, and the next time they played this amphitheater was in December. But this time it was the dog days. Obviously you don't expect grass in August in the Gila, where everyone has gravel lawns and the green grass is on the hundreds of golf courses, which have to water so much that the evaporate mixes with the carbon output for a thick summer heat haze. Most locals just stay in the AC during the day. So it was tempting to skip this one - and even as good as the show was I appreciate it more now than at the time. Waiting to get in (all tix = GA) it hit 108°F; by dark/showtime it was still 100°. My memory is of that and the plan-less snarls getting out, that took 45mins (it was still in the upper 90s at night). All you could do was not dance, spray yourself and keep sipping water. It's hard to enjoy music when your focus is on breathing, maintaining consciousness, and trying to become comfortable. The shows we recall most fondly often "aren't there on tape", and sometimes our mood, our company, or the weather makes us a think a show was middling, when on tape it's great. In this example what was difficult to appreciate at the time was musically great - in keeping with the best of this hot tour. It was always a hard one to get hold of in anything but high-gen AUD, whereas high-quals circ'd of Utah, Red Rocks & Calaveras. Even now it took forever for decent sources, with a board-sent FM of the 2nd set finally in circ in 2019. I remember people at Park City and Calaveras thinking it was a great show, and the Bertha appears on some lists, but having been sidetracked for years by 8/12 & 8/20, I'm gobsmacked by the quality of this hidden gem. First Set. The Hellina opener is solid enough, but not an indication of how wide open it blows with Sugaree. At the right tempo, it's an all-rounder, and one of the best of '87. You can enjoy the drummers, or Bobby, or Phil; s'all good. It's a decent Walkin' Blues, but for Ramble On Rose Jer is just ON. My Brother Esau is as tight as a Beverly Hills facelift. Peggy-O is an example of how summer '87 has solid tempos and a brightness; working together with all 20,000 band members. Phil goes off throughout Greatest Story. Brent is also playing like crazy, and check Bobby's rhythm playing. Bertha is legendary - the year's best. Getting the SBD made the difference. Second Set. This set also takes one song to warm up. The uptempo Playin' then quickly ticks all boxes. Both Phil and the drummers amaze. On Terrapin, Lady with a Fan is average, but the rest is prog-lorious. A good Drums and a pulsing, pulsar Space set up for an ace Fantasy. Wharf also proves the tour tempos and Throwing Stones again shows that Bobby is as ON as Jer. An NFA changeup cracks open for the phoenix of Lovelight that seals the contract in gold ink. 1st Set: A 2nd Set: B Overall = 4½ stars HG Highlights: Sugaree - an all-rounder Ramble On Rose - Jer's so on My Brother Esau - what Bobby was aiming for Greatest Story Ever Told - much to focus upon Bertha - legendary '87 version Playing in the Band - uptempo, Phil, drummers Dear Mr. Fantasy - Brent matches the level Throwing Stones - Bobby puts band in overdrive Turn on Your Lovelight - seals deal on the party SOURCES: The 140125_sbd_s1_miller and the 140235_set1_UltraMatrix are the same source, and the best for the first set (you might rebalance). The 145599_nak300_in-house_fm_composite is the best for the second set. The latter has been wonderfully patched but the freqs are wack. Try pulling pull down @600hz and pushing up @8K+. The last few secs of Lovelight are clipped, so you may prefer the good AUD mk2_oade_jacobs_miller_clugston. The 138304_FOB_Schoeps is also a good source for the second set, and is not compressed like the FM.

Grateful Dead Live at Compton Terrace Amphitheatre on 1987-08-18