Essential Shows

Posted: July 4, 2007 - 7:21am

What no Deadhead should miss. What no taper should be without. Thanks to leadbelly 27 for the suggestion!

Comments

The 80's

On July 5th, 2007 leadbelly27 said:

Thanks to the mods for putting up this topic! Okay, now I have a question. I have a giant hole concerning goods shows from the 80s (only DPs, official releases, and a show from july 84). My knowledge of the Brent years is sorely lacking. Any 80's recommendations?

As for an essential show or run of shows I'll throw out the "From Egypt with Love" run in Oct '78 at the Winterland. I think these are kind of underrated shows. I was completely unaware of them until they were mentioned in passing by crazyfingers on the old message boards (BTW thanks crazyfingers!). It's the last great run with Donna and Kieth. Everyone is really on. Great, great playing.
Yo Soy Boricua!

The Holy Grail

On July 5th, 2007 Hal R said:

February 26, 27,March 2,3 1969
The Fillmore West Run
Start here

Do I contradict myself?
Very well then I contradict myself,
(I am large, I contain multitudes.)
Walt Whitman-Song of Myself

my essential run

On July 5th, 2007 neddles said:

Feb. 11 - 14 1970
2/13/70 gets all the press, but all three nights are epic to me.
special guests...acoustic sets...and mindbending jams.
the epitome of the good ol' grateful dead.

10-21-78

On July 6th, 2007 richard said:

I'm with leadbelly on this. All five nights were awesome but my favorite out of the bunch is 10-21. The post drums sequence makes me shudder,cry,laugh and shout. Leaves me with a great big smile every time I listen.

the 80's

On July 6th, 2007 izzie said:

leadbelly, I'll try to get you a list! I'm not with my music this week, but watch for a PM next week!

correction to above dates

On July 6th, 2007 Hal R said:

Fillmore West Run was 2/27, 2/28, 3/1, 3/2 1969 not 2/26.

Feb. 11 -14 my esential East Coast run, agree with neddles on how incredible this run was/is.

Do I contradict myself?
Very well then I contradict myself,
(I am large, I contain multitudes.)
Walt Whitman-Song of Myself

some of my favs.....

On July 6th, 2007 johnnyg said:

what is now DP 6:
10.14.83 - Set II is IT!
2.26.77 - Swing Aud; First Terrapin & Estimated; beyond the pale
5.77 - cannot go wrong in this month/year
If you like slower, mellow Dead, check out 1976, the music is slow langid and flowing. That entire years reminds me of what the Lady with a Fan would look like.
Shows from Europe 1972; Fillmore East 1971
Anything or Everything from the Summer of 85; 11.1-2.85 VA Dead, of course :-)
Summer 89-Spring 1990; Band in peak form going new places; much material to recommend.
and 1991 with Bruce is terribly underrated, mostly due to the death of Brent, I feel.

I still think that the shock of Brent's death took a long time for the fans to come to terms with. Jerry had the music and Bruce to help him out. I felt lost for the longest time and it wasnt until several shows into 91 (3.31 to be exact), that I felt the fit.
Sorry I cant be more specific, my memory HATES me now.

But the guys and gals on this site will not let you down. I am a mere mortal in the presence of grateness on this site~
Cheers.

“The Omnipotent Grateful Dead!”

Formerly the Warlocks

On July 6th, 2007 Hunter said:

Both nights at the Hampton Coliseum were great, but 10/9/89 stands proudly in the pantheon of all time best Dead shows (in my humble opinion). "Dark Star -> Drumz -> Death Don't", is earth shattering. The first "Attics" in over 17 years is magic! Certainly a must have tape.
Rock on.
-Hunter

"The bottle was dusty but the liquor was clean."

...Best of the 1980's

On July 7th, 2007 Hunter said:

Another great show from the 1980's that comes to mind is 10/12/84, Augusta ME.
I seem to have misplaced my copy. Can anyone out there help me out?
-Hunter

"The bottle was dusty but the liquor was clean."

shows

On July 10th, 2007 leadbelly27 said:

Hal R,
Totally agree with the 69 fillmore west run in late feb early mar. I was lucky enough to get the box set with all the shows. Blew my mind. The Dead were insane psychedelic monsters at that time.
I like the '80's suggestions from Hunter and JohnnyG. Awsome! I've been listening on the archive.
JohnnyG, I agree with you on '91 being a killer year. Wish Bruce had stayed on full-time.
Submitted for your approval:
6/17/91 Giant's Stadium -- Eyes of the World, Walkin' Blues, Brown Eyed Women, Masterpiece, Loose Lucy, Cassidy, Might As Well, Saint of Circumstance> Ship of Fools-> Truckin'> New Speedway> Uncle John's Band-> Drums> Jam> China Doll> Playin' reprise> Sugar Mag, E: The Weight
Note: Dark Star theme throughout show. Opened with Eyes!

Yo Soy Boricua!