Reviewer:
Dean1067
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May 6, 2020
Subject:
These 3 Shows will always be my Favorite!
During my time as a Dead Head, I definitely didn't get to see near as many shows as I would have liked. Especially considering that I didn't see my first show until '88. This 3 day run at the Omni was actually the first time that I got to see 3 days in a row. And although the last time I got to see Brent was in Louisville on 7-6-90, these 3 Omni shows had a much more intimate feel & atmosphere. And a much different sound because we lost Brent. And it was at these shows that I first started to appreciate Brent. I managed to see the Grateful Dead a little more than 70 shows between '88 & '95 but these 3 shows are, have been & will remain my favorite!!! HOWEVER, 3 years later, I did have 2nd row, 2nd row & 3rd row for the 93 Omni shows! And I called the opening Half-step while leaving the Cap Centre parking lot headed for Atlanta.But the China-Rider here I have heard countless times since. It was the one they put on "Without A Net". The "Feel Like a Stranger" on that disc opened the 2nd night too. [ Mr Mind Wondrin mentions that the Dear Mr Fantasy from this show was on "Without A Net" as well. I'm not disputing that at all but I didn't know that til I read his review. One thing about reading stuff. If your not careful you might learn something you didn't know]
Btw, I camped out for tix to these 3 shows & had my bro call & charge by phone to make sure we got tix. I ended up with 9 tix to each show. I was about about to give this girl "a miracle ticket" & a guy offered me $70 for it. Which at the time was 2x face value. At first the girl was bummed cuz I was about to give it to her. But that didn't last long, I just pulled out another ticket & said "well he just paid for your miracle", gave her the ticket & walked away.
Reviewer:
Mind Wondrin
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
March 23, 2018
Subject:
Ship of April Fools
This show is the best of the 3-day run and is in the top quarter of the tour. It's known for the China Cat>Rider but there's more to it than that. These Winter/Spring '90 shows sound great on matrices.
First Set. Touch of Grey is one of the consistent things about '90, though this is the best of the three on this tour. Walkin' Blues is also solid throughout the year, as one of Bobby's faves. The next several are similar to the rest of the tour - not the best you've heard, but solid GOGD. Victim is clunky in places, as usual, and probably not as good as 3/26. There is only one To Lay Me Down in the first half of '90 and it's interesting to slip into this after the dark psychedelia of Victim. Jer's unexpected midi is nice. If yr looking for perfect versions, this ain't it; but if you really like the song and are looking for unique versions, this IS it. Leaving 'em happy for the break, Music Never Stopped may be 90's best; spectacular.
Second Set. Some have said this isn't the best China Cat>Rider of the late '89/early '90 period, but I'm a proponent. It's not, say, 9/20, but I've always dug it. Jer throws a Dylan riff into the opener of Ship of Fools (40yrs upon my head). Excellent version, as others have pointed out, and continuing a great sequence through a potent Dewimmina and into Mr. Fantasy. 3/14 is the tour best, but this is still solid - though they faded it out on Without a Net, rather than paying the copyright for the Hey Jude reprise. The latter is one of just four in '90. Truckin' is average but Stella is swelling, stadium-sized; not adventurous, but slick. Average '90 finishing up.
1st Set: B-
2nd Set: B+
Overall = 4 stars
Highlights:
Touch of Grey - tour best
Music Never Stopped - spectacular
China Cat Sunflower>I Know You Rider - well known and still great
Ship of Fools - Jer commits for All Fools'
Dear Mr. Fantasy>Hey Jude - as good as 3/14?
Stella Blue - swelling to stadium size
SOURCES: The 135535_sbd-pc_miller corrects the pitch problem on miller_87809, and is the best SBD for Phil and image. The hansokolow_97203 is a wonderful matrix. The show is in the Spring 1990 TOO box. China>Rider and a faded Dear Mr. Fantasy are on Without a Net.