I'll never forget the drive from Chicago to Richfield. I have since seen Discovery Channel programs referring to this winter storm as the "Blizzard of the Century". It forced travelers off the roads as interstates were closed. We heard at a rest area that the first night was canceled and we were lucky to get a hotel room. We wandered across the way to the Holiday Inn where hundreds of Deadheads took in the cheesy lounge act who knew no GD songs.
I was hoping for a killer show to make up for the hardships we had endured but I was less than impressed with this performance. The debut of IFTL was cool to witness, but then they played it every other show for the rest of the year 8^P

After enduring the blizzard and ensuing madness, the Dead came out and were lackluster, at best. Scottt said it best, IFTL was cool to witness as a breakout, and got old real quick when they played it to death.

I attended this show as well.

Having driven through horrible weather the day before to arrive at a cancelled show, I can honestly say that this was the real beginning of my post-Brent disappointment.

The first set to me was total mediocrity with the exception of an ok Lazy River Road and Eternity but nothing too amazing.

I remember the second set starting off with what could have potententially been a promising Touch>Samson opener but that was quickly put to rest with Long Way>Corinna. These songs were total auto pilot. Then something amazing happened, The Grateful Dead finally showed up for the gig to perform Terrapin through Stella. For about a half hour they showed up for a few songs but immediately left again at Throwing Stones.

To spite the driving and cancellation hassle they spite us by debuting the worst breakout ever. IFTL was like the band was saying FU to us.

After the show we got back to the car where our buddy whho had tix for the first night but not second graced us with a suprise. Healy broadcast the show on a radio signal and our buddy recorded it on a boombox with low batteries. He said the show sounded awesome (probably because he listened to it in ssub zero temperatures.

On the ride home, we compared the FM recording to the DAT AUD my buddy made and agreed that this show was absolutely atrocious, except the beautiful Terrapin>Jam>Drumz>Miracle>Stella Blue. Possibly the best Stella Blue ever. This was the part of the show that warrented my 2/5 star rating.

I HAD BEEN ON THE BUS FOR MANY YEARS AT THIS POINT BUT THIS WAS THE FIRST SHOW I TOOK MY THEN GIRLFREIND, LATER MY WIFE TO. I ALSO BROUGHT ALONG ANOTHER COUPLE OF PALS TO THEIR FIRST SHOW. I THOUGHT THE SHOW WAS PRETTY LIGHTWEIGHT UNTIL THAT WHOLE STELLA BLUE TERRAPIN STATION SECTION. FUNNY I HADN'T THOUGHT OF THAT SHOW IN YEARS, IT'S ALL COMING BACK TO ME NOW! THE DRIVE UP FROM CINCINNATI WAS A GAS, IT JUST KEPT SNOWING! DEADGERB!

Only had tix for the first night and made it to Akron to pick up friend before show was cancelled. Back to Columbus that night to attend a party we were to have missed which was fine, but the Honda CRX is not the best at winter travel.
A harrowing drive sandwiched between big rigs (some sliding off the interstate) and other idiots not willing to give up and wait it out.
Ahh, these are what the good memories are made of...

BTW, I made the easiest call ever of an opening song for the next night. Cold Rain and Snow. Too easy, yes, but I still get credit for shooting that barrel-bound fish.