Second hot show in a row. This was one of two times here that Hornsby opened, though he never played WITH them here (and only with them in Philly in March '92). Luckily, it was back to the Spectrum in the autumn (and 18 more times). This falls near the middle of one of the most consistent tours of all time for the band, with several top shows (see 7/4, 7/17, 7/19). An uncomfortably hot, triple-digit day inside the reflector, which more often that not zapped the band. But this - stadium Dead is supposed to be this way. The 2nd set is almost 2hrs. JFK was demolished shortly thereafter.

First Set. A great-out-the-gate Hellina is almost always an augury. Indeed, the Iko Iko is landmark -
and 1st set, second song, no less. Little Red Rooster is just slammin' blues. Even Bobby's Slide Practice™ is overshadowed by brilliance. The energy carries through the next few, and even '89's oft-lackluster Loser is in a version to perk fans of the last fair deal. Let it Grow is slick, like most '89s, with some roaring stadia-Jer in the middle. Blow Away is also good. Though not best-of-'89 it's on Built to Last - albeit with the beginning shortened by 16 seconds. This was the peak of Brent histrionics and it's definitely a blockbuster version that consolidates and blows up. But it always seemed like gray angst to me. I don't concur with comparisons to Pigpen. It was all Brent - whom I liked, so I dig it overall.

Second Set. Bobby does the Throwing Stones riff but Phil decides to sing a Box, which is like most '89s. Scarlet, however, shoots right back to 1st set x-factor. The great jam has an eclectic charm. It takes seven minutes for Fire to take off but then Jer seals a helluva ScarFire. The middle of the set is average '89, with a languid Standing, though the end was always nice in '89. The TOO puts the stadium back into levitation, gearing for everybody to land in Jer's palm for Wharf Rat. Though everybody is economical, they are poignant and it's a stadium shaker. Lovelight has a nice false ending and Bobby sings more than yelps. Knockin' on Heaven's Door is unusually well-delivered.

1st Set:   A
2nd Set: B-
Overall = 4 stars

Highlights:
Iko Iko - landmark Iko. And 1st set no less
Little Red Rooster - slammin' blues
Loser - money
Let it Grow - slick; roaring
Scarlet Begonias - eclectic charm
Wharf Rat - stadium shaker
Knockin' on Heaven's Door - as good as it got

SOURCES: The clugston_10925 puts you there. The tetzeli_fix sounds good too. Official release plus vid: Crimson, White & Indigo. Blow Away is a (slightly edited) bonus on Built to Last. An excerpt of Little Red Rooster is on the Searching for the Sound disc, titled "Brent Blues Jam", with Phil's "Comments on Brent Blues Jam".

entire show had the band happy full of smiles and d espite the 100 temps in the slime philly humiddity the music really shined., unlike all the scarlett fires in the ten years prior and 6 years after, on this interlude jam the boys took their time between scarlet and slipped into fire that melted the stadium awesome early verion of SOTM as wellas let it grow blow away plain and simple jerry loved playing with brent he could lite afire under jerry like no one else except maybe ;pig amazingly the peak of this band from 89 til brents death still carried over in the fall of 90 tour but jerry never completely recovered from brents early departure

Great show. Encore should have been "Broke-down Palace." And, too bad the band had yet to trot out "Last Time"; both tunes would have most appropriate.

Pretty good sound quality for audience...I remember this show vividly because big chunks of the stadium were falling off during the show and I took a big piece of rubble home as a souvenir.. Can't remember who opened, I see another reviewer said Bruce Hornsby but I seem to remember Los Lobos or Edie Brickell...no matter, they all combine & melt into a dream, saw a bunch of the east coast 89 shows... Nice hopping Aiko and can't complain 'bout that!

Edit: Apparently it was Bruce Hornsby that opened. Los Lobos was up in Giants stadium a couple of days later. Oh well, the years go by, they melt into a dream!

I just had the chance last weekend to experience this show through a high-def screening of the movie "Crimson, White & Indigo" at a concert hall. Wow. The show was awesome and I almost felt like I was there. I'd highly recommend picking up the DVD if you can.

Giving a listen to this recording, it really does the show justice. Great quality recording. Lots of energy from the boys mixed in with some great tender moments. Brent really tears it up on Blow Away. You have to imagine the heat of the day had them fired up. But they cool it down too. I love the Wharf Rat. They have some great moments with the harmonies.

Yes this was my 1st Dead show at age 17 (but not my last). Saw only this show and Pink Floyd in 1987 at JFK and the sound is high quality for an outside venue. Brings back unbelievable memories.

heard this show the first time in the form of a screening for the dvd of it, amazing show the whole way through, so heart felt and so god damn well played

Wow! This is one of the best shows of 1989. Great FOB recording that sounds like "you are there". This recording is better than the others available on this website. Download it before they release the DVD in spring 2010....this recording could get pulled!

this sounds best to my ear.
more midrange punch and cleaner highs.

the Loser, desolation row, let it grow, blow away were all standout versions and still have amazing memories of being there.

cant wait to see the dvd

RIP brent

Best show of 89!!

Yea baby!!!!!! Just like it was now. Miss ya all.

This was a great summer for me. I can remember the grass while Bruce Hornsby played. Somehow we ended up at the furthest point from the stage at the top of the horseshoe that was JFK. The most vivid memory I have is a colorful sea of tie dyed shirts jumping rhythmicly to Aiko Aiko. We could literally see the entire crowd. What a great time. This recording is high quality.

As I remember it this was the last show at JFK the place was torn down because it was falling down. I was pregnant so nothing was hazing or fuzzy in my head, this was a damn good show and one I will always remember.

If this is an audience tape, it's a damn good one. Definitely making it onto my "must have AUDs" list. I think I'll have to download this right now to replace the SBD, as a matter of fact.

What a night. My brother and I went to see one of the last shows at JFK. Things were starting to get fuzzy (if you know what I mean) when were were walking in to the show. My brother told me if we get separated "look for me I will have a red bandana on". We got separated and I looked for him in a sea of red bandanas!!!! Well knowing my brother I knew he would be right in front of the tapers dead center. I used my Jedi sence of direction and found him within two rows. I was very happy.
The show is fantastic. the ripping Hell in a bucket starts off the party and it just keeps going into a great Aiko. The Let It Grow and the Blow away are some of the best of the '89 tour. The Scarlet>Fire is one of the best. The boy's really flex some muscle on it. The Other One is rockin'. I am so happy to find this show.The sound quality is very good. Thank You!!!! Thank You Jerry and the boys!!!!