What does it sound like?:
With the recent sad passing of lyricist Robert Hunter, it seems an appropriate time to have a listen to this latest live release from the Grateful Dead’s seemingly inexhaustible supply of concert tapes. This one is a complete show from Giants Stadium recorded in the summer of 1991, and unusually for the time recorded on 48 track. This tour showcased my favourite line up of the band, with the addition of Bruce Hornsby’s piano and vocals really adding something to the band’s onstage sound. Kicking off with a super Eyes Of The World, the band then kick straight into Brown Eyed Women, before the first slice of a three part rendition of Dark Star makes its appearance. Other high spots include a cover of Dylan’s When I Paint My Masterpiece and a jaunty run through of Cassidy and Might As Well, while the second part of this three disc set showcases a great section encompassing Truckin’, New Speedway Boogie and Uncle John’s Band. I’m not a lover of the Drums/Space segments of their shows, which can drag on seemingly interminably, but disc three climaxes with extended workouts of China Doll, Playing In The Band and Sugar Magnolia, before a surprise cover of The Weight brings things to a joyful close. As always, the set had been put together with loving care by David Lemieux, and is one of the best shows I’ve heard from this period. Another worthy addition to the band’s already extensive live canon.
What does it all *mean*?
I wonder if we will ever again see a live phenomenon like this band – perhaps that time has passed for good now.
Goes well with…
Tye dye T shirts.
Release Date:
Out now
Might suit people who like…
The Dead, Phish, etc.
Carl says
I’m not a lover of the Drums/Space segments of their shows, which can drag on seemingly interminably
Which only goes to show you’re not consuming enough drugs.
Bargepole says
You may be right 😉
Lodestone of Wrongness says
Man alive, Bargie I loves you
Neela says
Grateful Dead three comments (four now), Jethro Tull 38 comments. Something is rotten in the state of The Afterword.
Kid Dynamite says
Possibly the worst period of the Dead though, innit?
Ainsley says
Spiral – 38 comments. Music is dead