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    heatherlew
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    RFK Stadium 1989 Box

    LESS THAN 5000 LEFT

    The Grateful Dead battled the elements in July 1989, enduring drenching rains and stifling humidity during back-to-back shows at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium in the nation’s capital. In spite of the bleak weather, the band thrilled the massive crowds both nights with triumphant performances that rank among the very best of a busy year that included 74 shows and the release of the group’s final studio album, BUILT TO LAST.

    ROBERT F. KENNEDY STADIUM, WASHINGTON, D.C., JULY 12 & 13, 1989 includes two previously unreleased concerts taken from the band’s master 24-track analog recordings, which have been mixed by Jeffrey Norman at TRI Studios and mastered in HDCD by David Glasser. The collection’s colorful slip case features original artwork by Justin Helton and a perfect-bound book with in-depth liner notes written by Dean Budnick, editor-in-chief of Relix magazine. The set will also be available as a digital download in Apple Lossless and FLAC 192/24.

    When Jerry Garcia, Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, Brent Mydland, and Bob Weir rolled into D.C. in July 1989 for the Dead’s two-night stand at RFK, the band hit the stage running with a stellar rendition of “Touch Of Grey,” the group’s biggest hit from its only Top 10 album In The Dark, which was released in 1987. The following night, the band returned to its double-platinum commercial breakthrough when it opened the show with a fiery version of “Hell In A Bucket.”

    “RFK Stadium '89 fell right in the middle of one of the best tours of the last 15 years of Grateful Dead performances, with these shows being the sixth and seventh of an 11-show tour. This tour is widely considered the start of a nine month period of sustained excellence, which ran from Summer '89 through Spring '90. The RFK shows are as good as any of the more famous shows from this period, including July 4 in Buffalo, July 7 in Philadelphia, and the Alpine run,” says David Lemieux, Grateful Dead archivist and the set’s producer. “When Bob Weir has asked me to provide copies of Grateful Dead songs to give to his bandmates to learn and rehearse, he almost always requests Summer '89, and I've often drawn upon the RFK shows for this purpose. It's really that good!”

    Both shows feature standout moments, but the July 12 show is notable for a few reasons. Perhaps the biggest is that the first set featured at least one song sung by each of the band’s four lead singers – Garcia, Weir, Lesh and Mydland – something that rarely happened. Another surprise came when the band opened the second set with “Sugaree,” a song that almost always appeared during the first set.

    Pianist Bruce Hornsby — who briefly joined the band between 1990 and 1992 — is featured on both shows. He played accordion during “Sugaree” and “Man Smart (Woman Smarter),” with a touch of keyboard-tinkling, on July 12, and then played more accordion the following night for “Tennessee Jed” and “Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again.”

    For fans of Mydland’s tenure with the Dead – which began in 1979 and ended in 1990 with the keyboardist’s tragic death – these stellar shows capture that incarnation in peak form. Among the long list of highlights are performances of live staples such as “Eyes Of The World,” “Wharf Rat” and “I Need A Miracle,” along with rarities like “To Lay Me Down,” which was played only a few times in 1989. The July 13 show also features the band road-testing “I Will Take You Home,” a track Mydland wrote with Dead lyricist John Perry Barlow that would appear later that fall on Built To Last.

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  • LedDed
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    Bestsmeller
    I finally got to the Cornell '77 hardcover that came with "Light." I must say, this book smells amazing. I've been smelling books (ok, only clean-looking, newish well-made ones) since the 70's. From the ink to the wonderful paper, the binding and the glue, this is one of the best-smelling books I've read in ages. A friend is in town from New York for a few days. I got to spend a couple hours with him, and he was inexplicably traveling in a rental with a cd player - and no cds! I hastily burned a brother a 13-song compilation on the spot to get him back on the road. As I go back now, for a listen, I'm pretty happy with it - from '69 to '81. What I didn't realize as I threw the thing together was there are 11 Jerry songs and two featuring Pigpen on lead vocals. Sorry, Bob - I'll make a conscious effort to at least rip a cowboy song or two next time.
  • MiracleMan1982
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    5/21/74 PITB
    Man, this version SMOKES! Thanks for the heads up, bob t! Here's a link for those too lazy to look it up themselves: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KbPiw6nF0qk I'm all about an 80s release for the next Dave's pick, but I love me some Wall of Sound! I'll never complain about a 1974 release. Always good setlists and solid playing throughout. That 1973 Seattle show also kicks ass! Thanks, mbarilla!
  • MrHappy1
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    Slow sales on box sets
    I don't think it's any secret at all on why sales are slow on the boxed sets for Summer 1978 and the RFK 1989 shows. Summer 1978 was slow because, well...it was Summer 1978. The highs were great but the overall playing wasn't nearly as good as 1977 or even the winter of 1978. I was at the St. Paul show and it was OK, nothing special. It had a few special moments but that was it. With the RFK shows, I love love love Summer 1989. Combined with Spring 1990 I agree this was the greatest 9 months of the Brent era. And I enjoyed the Brent era a great deal. That said, they screwed up with two major decisions...1) They didn't include DVDs (in which case, I would buy even at an increased cost) and 2) They picked the RFK shows, the worst two shows of the Summer 1989 tour. Bad decision. Better luck next time I guess.
  • wadeocu
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    longest song
    6-6-69 lovelight clocks in at about the same 46-47 minutes. Depending on how you count the drum solo break 5-11-72 dark star is about a minute longer. Interesting ABB parallel (in my mind): Ive been on a mtn jam binge and previously thought the 45 minute version on ludlow garage was among the longest but word on the hittin the note forum is that a 54 minute version has come into circulation. Ive not heard it yet. I think that likely includes a drums segment too as that is really a part of mtn jam.
  • bob t
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    Question on the longest Dead song
    So I am listening to 5/21/74 HEC Edmundson Pavilion and just got to Playing in the Band which clocks in at 46 minutes, and I remember tape trading days not being able to fit it on one side until the 100 minute cassette was launched. Anything else longer? I know the Dark Star from 12/6/73 clocks in close... Just curious
  • Vguy72
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    Jerry sings lead on Good Lovin'....
    https://archive.org/details/gd69-08-29.sbd.cotsman.8996.sbeok.shnf/gd69… that out if you don't believe me. Pigger jumps in during the last verse, but Garcia took the reins....i love This Day In Dead History, because I get reminded of shows like this. Sounds really good for a 48 year old show to boot....
  • SPACEBROTHER
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    I don't want to rush out of Summer yet....but...
    ....waiting for this to arrive in November is excruciating. In a few years of exceptionally cool releases, I'm really looking forward to this one.
  • FloridaBobalooToo
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  • davidadavis@gm…
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    40th Anniversary Englishtown with Fun Articles :)
    http://gratefulseconds.blogspot.com/2017/08/englishtown.html
  • itsburnsy
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    Good Shows
    These are good shows, but probably not for everyone. 7.12 was my first show, so I am excited for this release, and it has never circulated as a SBD, I've had a HORRIBLE AUD copy for years. I had graduated high-school about 3 weeks earlier, and knew very little about the band. In fact, I only recognized two songs the entire show, the Touch operner and the Black Muddy River encore. I actually thought Women was a hallucination after the show! Regardless, I was hooked, and it was on to Spring of '90 and about 50 more shows until June of '95. Thanks Dave for mixing it up a bit, looking forward to this one...
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RFK Stadium 1989 Box

LESS THAN 5000 LEFT

The Grateful Dead battled the elements in July 1989, enduring drenching rains and stifling humidity during back-to-back shows at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium in the nation’s capital. In spite of the bleak weather, the band thrilled the massive crowds both nights with triumphant performances that rank among the very best of a busy year that included 74 shows and the release of the group’s final studio album, BUILT TO LAST.

ROBERT F. KENNEDY STADIUM, WASHINGTON, D.C., JULY 12 & 13, 1989 includes two previously unreleased concerts taken from the band’s master 24-track analog recordings, which have been mixed by Jeffrey Norman at TRI Studios and mastered in HDCD by David Glasser. The collection’s colorful slip case features original artwork by Justin Helton and a perfect-bound book with in-depth liner notes written by Dean Budnick, editor-in-chief of Relix magazine. The set will also be available as a digital download in Apple Lossless and FLAC 192/24.

When Jerry Garcia, Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, Brent Mydland, and Bob Weir rolled into D.C. in July 1989 for the Dead’s two-night stand at RFK, the band hit the stage running with a stellar rendition of “Touch Of Grey,” the group’s biggest hit from its only Top 10 album In The Dark, which was released in 1987. The following night, the band returned to its double-platinum commercial breakthrough when it opened the show with a fiery version of “Hell In A Bucket.”

“RFK Stadium '89 fell right in the middle of one of the best tours of the last 15 years of Grateful Dead performances, with these shows being the sixth and seventh of an 11-show tour. This tour is widely considered the start of a nine month period of sustained excellence, which ran from Summer '89 through Spring '90. The RFK shows are as good as any of the more famous shows from this period, including July 4 in Buffalo, July 7 in Philadelphia, and the Alpine run,” says David Lemieux, Grateful Dead archivist and the set’s producer. “When Bob Weir has asked me to provide copies of Grateful Dead songs to give to his bandmates to learn and rehearse, he almost always requests Summer '89, and I've often drawn upon the RFK shows for this purpose. It's really that good!”

Both shows feature standout moments, but the July 12 show is notable for a few reasons. Perhaps the biggest is that the first set featured at least one song sung by each of the band’s four lead singers – Garcia, Weir, Lesh and Mydland – something that rarely happened. Another surprise came when the band opened the second set with “Sugaree,” a song that almost always appeared during the first set.

Pianist Bruce Hornsby — who briefly joined the band between 1990 and 1992 — is featured on both shows. He played accordion during “Sugaree” and “Man Smart (Woman Smarter),” with a touch of keyboard-tinkling, on July 12, and then played more accordion the following night for “Tennessee Jed” and “Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again.”

For fans of Mydland’s tenure with the Dead – which began in 1979 and ended in 1990 with the keyboardist’s tragic death – these stellar shows capture that incarnation in peak form. Among the long list of highlights are performances of live staples such as “Eyes Of The World,” “Wharf Rat” and “I Need A Miracle,” along with rarities like “To Lay Me Down,” which was played only a few times in 1989. The July 13 show also features the band road-testing “I Will Take You Home,” a track Mydland wrote with Dead lyricist John Perry Barlow that would appear later that fall on Built To Last.

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Don't get me started on Dick's 25, Jim. I'm one of the maligners, and I like lots of '78. Most importantly, why can't I find a Chia Garcia on Dead.net for a Xmas gift to myself??
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Never had much luck with this one. I recall a lot of loose vocals and slide guitar on top of some great Jerry stuff. Maybe i'll listen today. Which one is Bear?
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I think Bear recorded 5/10/78 - New Haven CT and Betty recorded 5/11/78, Springfield CT.
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btw, which one is Bear? I'm Lost
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Listened to the 79 Road Trips last night. Forgot how good that one is.
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You wrote: "Its always nice to read of situations where someone with little power brings someone down who has too much of it." Again, well put. The award for "Efficiency" or "Saying the Most in the Fewest Words" is yours. It occurred to me that one could rewrite it replacing "power" with "respect" and it would have similar meaning: "Its always nice to read of situations where someone treated with too little RESPECT brings someone down who gets too much of it." 1979: High energy shows, but they don't have the warmth of '78 and especially '77, to my ears. Maybe it's the cassette masters, maybe it's just the overall mix/sound palate adjustment as Brent joined. Maybe it's just that Betty wasn't there anymore, so back to house mix.... Jim, interesting that you think the Fall '79 recording fell off a bit considering they have only released 2H '79 if my memory serves.... But I just got hooked up with a slug of '79 from a super-swell dude and look forward to digging in - I don't think I've EVER listened to 1H '79... should be interesting. LOL: "Garcia Chia"... or "Chia Garcia". I think that would sell big.....
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Thanks for your comments. I agree, the word "respect" could replace "power" in my post, and still convey the same meaning. In fact, it might do it better. I also would say that I prefer 1977 and 1978 to 1979, the little I have heard of it. In fact I have listened to so little 1979 over the last year or so, compared to the amount of 1977 and 78, that I have tended to overlook it a bit. Consequently, when I listened to that Road Trips from Fall 1979, it came as something of a surprise, how good it was. Also 27th October from 30 Trips and 26th and 28th December. I don't think there have been any other official releases from this year, which is quite slim pickings compared to the amount of 77-78 shows released. Maybe less has been released because they had less to say!
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Don't forget the two Download Only shows from 5 and 6 November 79, released back in 2008. Hard to find them now as they disappeared from the store very quickly. Plus the vinyl only record store day release of 5/4/79, from Hampton Colisseum.
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I'd buy this. I mean, just this morning I saw a 'Chia Bob Ross' commercial. Anything should be possible! Also, tossing my hat in the ring for some '79 love; especially later in that year. Sixtus
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The Garcia Chia is real. I remember the comercial from the 90s.
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17 years 6 months
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....Hot Tuna w/ Steve Kimock at the Capitol Theater on Relix YouTube channel. See you there!!
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Garcia Chia. Too weird, I never would have guessed.
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Was something crazy like "keep Jerry alive in your windowcille "
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Apparently so... (Same photo, five minutes later) Edit: I'm so thankful it's just a head shot. Just say no to the full chia.
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VGuy.. you're the man. A free stream of Jorma's 76th birthday soiree (I think). Every year he celebrates in NYC and drags in all kinds of special guests. I tried to make it every year.. but it's a ton of driving for me and NYC can take a chunk out of your wallet. Apparently it's at the Capitol this year.. rockin! Thanks Senator! Made my night, put me in charge of your re-election effort. Starting right.... now. Edit: Here's the link. A living legend.. check it out folks, and be sure to thank the good Senator. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGgc6N8zj9A
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....to keep my constituents happy. That's what I was elected for. Enjoy!
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....Jack and Jorma look and sound grate. Kimock just came on stage. Hesitation Blues? Sweet....
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They were sold in the lot. Surprised you never saw them. 7-13-89 Cold Rain and Snow was playing today as I drove in the cold rain and snow to the beer store. Perfect timing. Shoveled my driveway tonight for the first time in several years.
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....RIP John Lennon. I remember that night vividly. Time to spin Plastic Ono Band....
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Garcia Chia, makes a great gift! Re: DP 25 count me among the proponents. Listen closely, I hear levity and soul. I often go to that pick when I need my Phil phix!! It's not the best of the discofied versions however, I suggest you try 5-15-77. 5-15-77, almost the perfect show...I wish they had finished off the St. Stephen!
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It's my annual CD sale. All of these are excellent condition and are either duplicates or cd sets where I have most or all of the songs. Some have been played once. I'll combine shipping and if you buy a bunch I'll make some deals. I can also send pictures if needed. USA only. They include: Grateful Dead- Daves Picks- limited releases- Volume 20 12/9/81 University of Colorado (2 copies, one opened $20 and one sealed $30). Volume 22 12/7/71 Felt Forum ($20) with Bonus disk 12/6/71 Felt Forum ($25) or $45 for both. Volume 24 8/25/72 Berkeley Theatre ($20). Grateful Dead-2 Show RFK Boxset-$40-includes 7/12/89 RFK Wash DC and 7/13/89 RFK Wash DC. Led Zeppelin- $8 each- all of these are the recent reissue/remastered deluxe editions with extra bonus disks: for sale is: Presence, Physical Graffiti, Coda, In Through the Out Door, Led Zep II, Led Zep III. $8 each.
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....of the DaP Boulder show. I know a lot of you didn't like the pick. I like it though, so good for me I guess....
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Anyone partake in the vinyl Hampton '79 for RSD a few years ago? Stupid question. What are folks opinions on that one? Worth ~$80 bucks on Ebay? I don't have any live Dead on vinyl. Would be cool, though that's very expensive for one show and would get alot more plays with a digital copy.
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Hi Muleskinner - I got the Hampton '79 records. I think they sound good. The cover is great. You are aware it's not the full show? The first few songs from the first set are excluded due to time constraints I suppose. That didn't bother me. Also drums was edited out. Also not too important to me. You should check on discogs. I'm seeing several for sale on there for $45-50, plus shipping from Europe. That was how I got my copy - shipped from someone in Europe. The Long Strange Trip anthology on vinyl is really great. The 6-disc set on Amazon. It has the Dark Star from 02/14/70 on one side and it's worth the price of the box. Good luck with your decision-making!
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Awesome, thanks for the great info! I will do some shopping around, appreciate the leads. For some reason it seemed like a good day to listen to '79, and that made me think of that release. I hadn't even thought of the LST soundtrack, that would be very cool as well. Off topic - Bela Fleck and his wife Abigail Washburn are currently on Prairie Home Companion. Killing it. He's playing a baritone banjo with a slide, wild.
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....but I'm not made of Money, Honey. Eighty bucks is not ridiculous, but I would counter with sixty, because I like to barter. Speaking of bartering, the price tag of the "lost" Dead show with the Buffalo Philharmonic show from '70 has mushroomed to 2K. If there's a GoFundMe account for that diamond in the rough, I'll pitch in fifty bucks easy....http://buffalonews.com/2017/12/05/reward-for-elusive-bpo-grateful-dead-… ....all in for Bela. You have grate taste....
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....how about this. What's up with this Bitcoin news lately. I googled and Wikipedia'd it to death, and I still don't get it. Am I dumb? I don't understand.
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9 years 5 months
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Had tickets for Bela and Abigail last new year's eve but did not get to go. Rats.
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I live in San Diego and the conditions here are so dry and windy it almost screams "There is going to be a fire!" Our house is surrounded by extensive green belt areas (actually brown belt is more descriptive) so we share our backyard with skunks, possums, and coyotes, and there has been numerous credible mountain lion sightings in the neighborhood. We've had to evacuate twice before years ago but our neighborhood has always been spared. But my wife and I thought it wise to run through our plan should the need arise. After all the most obvious gets I said "My Grateful Dead CD collection." She said "But you've got that backed up on itunes and our external hard drive." I couldn't explain...the steamer trunk...the FW 69 box...the two May 77 boxes...Winterland 73 and 77...July 78...complete Dick's Picks collection...complete Road Trips...complete Dave's Picks...If San Diego has a devastating fire and you see a picture of a grinning skeleton sitting amidst a pool of melted cds that'll be me. No regrets.
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Bury em.. four feet down, wrapped by a tarp in a wooden box. (like you'll have time for that!). Don't forget to write a map and put an X where you buried them. The other scenario where you pack the trunk w/ all your CD's but there's not room for the wedding pictures and family heirlooms is a tough one to swallow. (..and I loved that dog!) tough choices. :D Wishing all in Calinferno the best. Scary fires to be sure.. hoping for minimal carnage and some rain and much less wind. Be safe, we'll gofund you a steamer trunk if need be.
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That's quite a collection you have there mhammond....say, I lost your address, what is it again?
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1965 Shakedown Street Golden Road CA 91995
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mhammond’s phone # is619-867-5309 Edit Ask for Jenny
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I could almost write a catchy bad pop song about that number
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Double post
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I don't think we should be surprised by this mini tour. Sorry they seem to be circling around you West Coasters. I like the idea, less fanfare and marketing, small venues with good acoustics, no need to bring the big band and just a tiny little tour (which could be all they can handle). I could be wrong.. but when Furthur was formed, I thought Phil made a point to say that he wanted to play with Bobby again (which knowing Phil's post GD history was a little unexpected). If you think about it, it makes perfect sense. Tiny little one-off's and a way to connect with each other, if for only just a moment. Gives their families a mini free excursion to break up the winter time blues. We might not see many more of these events.. and its a great balance to D&C.
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I pre-registered for tickets (or at least the chance to get tickets) for Radio City. Here's to hoping tickets are reasonably priced this time around. Should be a fun time....
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These guys have given us so much music over the last 52 years, and continue to do so. So many great memories. Somebody, quick clone these guys and give us another 52 years.
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Was not moving in my car and Phil was making my car vibrate and rock during Terrapin.
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Did he blow your speakers? I'll send you the link for the class action..
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Really...... Phil and Bob, just played Mill Valley on 9/9. Sorry about all the Phil and Friends or the Family Band at Terrapin Crossroads. The Fare Thee Well, shows. Some Dead and Company shows, as well. And for no love.......How about all the JGB shows at the Warfield through 1995. The only shows here: Dead and Co. have been cancelled due to Mayer illness. Sorry living in Florida, not seeing the love lost on the Bay Area.
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