Grateful Dead

So far I’ve done every show through the 16th in order. Though their all good shows, the 14th is the one that I liked best so far (other than the 3 big dogs obviously). Really looking forward to Philly and then the 3 shows I’ve never heard.
Really curious about 10/25 as I had tickets and was originally going to Philly then Miami since we had such a good time at the 88 shows down there. But when Hampton popped up, especially as “the Warlocks” I knew I HAD to get there, which is a whole other 2 stories, one for each ticket lol. But I had been working less than a year at my job and just couldn’t swing all three. Looking back on the overall situation 31 years later I should of just gone....sigh...but given the choice, I’d still take Hampton!
So I did all three Dark Stars in a row last week and I like Hampton best. Jersey is tight, short and sweet, while Miami is a bit ruff until about ten minutes in, but as soon as the vocals are finished its like a hard left turn into amazing groovy psychedelic madness!
What’s on tap today? Bluecrow brought up 10/19/73, perhaps my favorite DPs and a top Dark Star for sure. Have to fit that in sometime soon, but when I can give it a sit good sit down. Need to finish paint & patch then straighten up the garage so want to hit some 8os acoustic, but I think y’all already went there....going to start the Philly run later as I’ve been trying to give some of these multiple plays, especially the shows I’m not familiar with. But need something short and sweet, perhaps some primal dead just to mix it up?

Are The Grateful Dead Mainstream in 1989?
We’ll see, if this record does really well… - Jerry 10/13/89

Dug into some supplemental stuff while digging the Nightfall of Diamonds and there’s some pretty interesting things to check out.

As you all probably know 10/16 is the last night of the Dead’s five night run at Meadowlands, the longest run of the year, with one day off on 10/13/89.

But 10/13 was not a day of rest for Jerry.
1. Jerry does an interview for CBS This Morning with Mark McEwen in a NYC Hotel Room. He graciously sits through and thoughtfully answers questions he must’ve had to answer 100s of times over the years, nothing really new or revealing here, but it’s fun to watch & listen to Jerry. The interviewer is total cheese (sorry Mark). Jerry seems a little miffed that the Album hadn’t been released already, and says “It’s pretty good.”

2. Jerry and Bob appear on David Letterman and play Second That Emotion with Paul Schaffer and band. Odd song choice, last time played 4/29/71. They briefly mention a tour of Russia in May ’90 that obviously never happened. Dave asks “How long will you be there?” Answer “Until they let us out” - Jerry

There’s also a little 5 minute clip of the Today Show from possibly 10/13 or 14 with Bob & Jerry with Rona Elliot, typical of the time, focuses on the Dead Heads and why the Dead are still touring.

I believe the Foolish Heart Official Video had been released already, so I watched that too. Interesting.

And lastly and possibly most telling, Jerry makes an appearance on WNEW on 10/16 and answers questions from callers.
Fan Question - “You thinking of pulling Dark Star or Death Don’t or any of that out of your hat tonight?”
Answer - “Probably, those are kinda going into an active rotation.” - Jerry on WNEW 10/16/89

Fans hearing that, had to be pretty stoked about this final night of the run.

Anybody got a line on the full WNEW interview?
I could only find a short excerpt of the questions.
All the above is on YouTube if you want to check it out.

I dig this show, not sure I can make a worthwhile comparison to Hampton shows, other than they’re both hot and fun to listen too. But I think I like this set lists’ flow better. Dark Star opening the set seems to keep it light and peppy and then the Playing > UJB > Playing sequence is killer. Great Pre-drums sequence and the post drums return to Dark Star > Attics > Playing and WBYGN encore, I’ll take that any day over Dr. Mr. Fantasy > Throwing > Good Lovin’. Now if they’d only played Death Don’t out of space instead of I Will Take You Home > Miracle..

I had to check out Miami 10/25 Playing > UJB > Playing after hearing this. Good stuff there too. The Set list heads in the audience of 10/25 had to be holding their breath after that, hopefully they stuck around for the next night. 10/25 is real good. Thinkin’ I’ma gonna spend some time with it today

For you Tour heads any other stand outs you want to give a shout out for at the Meadowlands? I can’t remember any in particular, you all mentioned digging 10/15?

I agree with Gollum, it's pretty dope that they've officially released all 3 versions of the return of Dark Star from October. 30 Trips boxset sure was good for filling in some holes.
Just need the 12/31/89 Dark Star to complete the year officially. '81 & '84 Dark Stars should get that treatment as well IMO. But I guess the tapes are good for now. Speaking of '81, I knew that date was in the cosmos yesterday.. 10/16/81!! How could I not remember that connection.

I like this 1989 trip... pretty neat.
Bluecrow I’m with you on the Deadcast, check out the supplemental material, highly illuminating. Sounds like 10/19/73 is getting some play and icecremcnkd you are correct it is entertaining!
Good stuff you all.

Be Well and Enjoy Your Weekend.

yep Oro, i was with my sweet mountain wildflower, far from the maddening crowds (and the DaP 36 thread.) now back in my cave in the hills. lately been diving in to the Grateful Deadcasts on Workingmans and American Beauty. I'm into that style of deep history and every episode is chock full of cool and crazy stuff. still haven't downloaded the Angel's Share for either but maybe after work today. mention here of that 1st set closing sequence for 10/14/80 piqued my interest. Jed > Let It Grow > Wheel > Music??!! that is simply amazing!!
My friend's ex (who wasn't a head like him) phoned him (he had moved to AZ) after 10/16/89 to let him know that she heard a Dark Star and that it started to snow in the Meadowlands when they were playing it.
One of the reigning champions in my corner is 10/19/73 - that'll get a deep listen later this weekend. have to put in some work hours today first.
have a great weekend everybody.

“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IN THIS CORNER FROM THE YEAR 1972 we have.....“.

....that reminds me. We need to start a bracket system for shows. Ala sports.
Just a random thought.
I hope I didn't start something I cant finish.

10/15/84 ✔️
4/24/78 ✔️
10/16/77 (part of ) ✔️
10/16/89 ✔️
RT 2.3 Bonus 😉 ✔️
My ears are bleeding.....but in a good way!

Yeah I’d say we’re all on the same page with 10/16 “versus” Hampton.
10/16 great show, but didn’t move me as much as Hampton either night.

Manana: I think I’m going to work in those Warfield acoustic shows from last year, start early on Philly 89, and see what pops up here...

GOLLUM: glad your ok, last we saw ya you were at some rest area on the Jersey pike, “what exit“ I’m not sure...

....ill spell it out because acronyms are for the lazy. FFS.
The next skull on your necklace is mine.

hey Oro! I'm still here. I'm trying to keep up with you guys but dragging ass again. I missed 10/14/80 but will catch up to it soon. I'm still focused on the 4 released Oct '89 shows. It IS hard to pick a fave they are all so good. Hampton has the best sound for my ears. Phil's bass sounds so rich, I can just imagine it rumbling the walls of the Hampton coliseum. I'll say I prefer all of these shows to Spring 90, for the reasons we've talked about. The band sounds less polished and the jams looser and more psychedelic. I have a sneaking suspicion my favorite might wind up being 10/26, with that mind bending 45 minute Dark Star- Space. I'm still getting acquainted with it!

Ain't it grand that we have all 3 Fall '89 Dark Stars in great sound quality and they are all inspired!

Great show. I can't say any of the three we are comparing are better than any of the others. Perhaps we are splitting hairs. I am a bit biased, but that aside NFOD has a better mix.

What are we listening to tomorrow? I am going to hit DaP 35 again tonight before I probably put it down for a while. Wouldn't mind setting the wayback.. well, way back.

Listened to 10-16-89 in the car this week, started Tuesday and since my commute is usually about 20 min each way it took until Thursday to finish the show. Yeah, I didn’t get to listen to it uninterrupted but I have listened to that show many times since getting it when it was released. At that time I was disappointed that they didn’t release 10-9-89, since I already had that on cassette. Of course, when they did release Hampton I was disappointed that I paid $60 for a release that didn’t sound better than the CD-R copies I had.
Anyway, 10-16 sounds better than Hampton but Hampton has the aura going for it. Both worthy listens in my book.
Of note, after listening on 10/9 I jumped to 3-15-90 for comparison and that made Hampton seem like training camp, performance and sound quality wise.
I didn’t make it to Hampton but my friend did and he said that there were tickets taped to the outside doors of the venue and he just grabbed one and walked in. They didn’t tear the ticket as he entered so it is still whole like the one in Oroborous’ picture.

So, I’m ahead of schedule again for an anniversary listen because I’ve got 10-19-73 playing.
Then I come here and Oro mentions Fall ‘73.....

And Jim mentions stink bombs.....

That board is actually entertaining.