Here is a copy of the information about this bootleg as received by Gary.  Just thought I'd give you a little background on these recordings.   "The tape of the first is incomplete as he had it lying around the bar and mistakenly taped over some of it. The copy of the incomplete '81 show that you are getting has been run through Sonic Solutions at a CD mastering studio and is as good as it ever can be. That show has been traded around a bit but not in this improved form"
 
I also want to make a note that the correct date for this show is 11/24/81 and not 11/17/81 as many of your collections might suggest. In comparing this copy to the copy that I have it is an immense improvement.   

The quick review would be that the version of 'Stumble' which only a handful of recordings exist is monumental and worth every penny.

 
Whenever there are gems lying around, even if they are only half a show they are still a prized possession.
 
Special thanks to Gary Huested for sharing this. 
 

 
R.E.M.
 
1981-11-24
Merlins, Madision, WI
 
1. Sitting Still
2. Mystery to Me
3. Carnival of Sorts (Boxcars)
4. Ages of You/1,000,000
5. (Don't Go Back To) Rockville
6. Wolves, Lower
7. Pretty Persuasion
8. Stumble
9. Gardening At Night (Cut)
 

This has always been one of my favorite shows from the opening line "Support your local fanzine. Welcome to Friday's. It's Friday. We're R.E.M. We might be in tune."
 
In some way the dry droll method at which Michael Stipe introduces the band and then launches into a powerful version of 'Just a Touch' sets the tone for the entire evening. Minus some of the cuts with the sound or inequities with the sound this is a beautiful recording that captures that early R.E.M. sound to a T.
 
At this point the band had been in existence for all of a year and a half, and judging by the setlist that you see below you will notice that things are starting to shape up to the types of songs that you might recognize from their early albums. There are still songs that end up getting scrapped like Ha (We Get Paid For It), what appears to be a relatively new addition to the setlists at this time, That Beat, Permanent Vacation (well you know the usual suspects).
 
Where we see the band stand out however, is the spontaneity that they show. For example, during the performance of 'Romance' the band launches into an a capella version of Oh Ok's 'Round Is Funny' (Listed as 'Chained to the Wall' on the bootleg and many sites). It shows a band eager to please and entertain and not fret during what the band might consider nightly equipment problems.
 
At any rate, still one of my top shows from this year. Hope you enjoy.
 
Right-Click to Download Tracks (In FLAC) 

R.E.M.
November 6, 1981
Fridays
Greensboro, NC
 
1. Just a Touch
2. Burning Down
3. Ha (We Get Paid For It)
4. Shaking Through
5. (Don't Go Back To) Rockville
6. There She Goes Again
7. Permanent Vacation
8. Pretty Persuasion
9. That Beat
10. Mystery To Me
11. Carnival of Sorts (Boxcars)
12. Rave On
13. Ages of You
14. I Can't Control Myself
15. Laughing
16. Romance
17. Round Is Funny
18. Sitting Still
19. Wolves, Lower
20. Gardening At Night
21. 9-9
22. Windout
23. Radio Free Europe