One of the better '91 shows (maybe top dozen). Too bad more of this one wasn't on Dick's Picks #17 (instead of just two tracks, only one of which is a show highlight). The was the better of two nights in Greensboro; and easily overlooked, as it came in between a Nassau run and an Omni run (both trad Dead venues for hot shows). This tape came into circ as a popular trade at the time. I remember two things: I had never heard of Greensboro before the tape; the Eyes showed up again as filler.

First Set. After some flubs in Half-step Mississippi, Jer makes up for it by stretching out and wailing. It's interesting in that, although not one of the better versions of '91, it demonstrates their capabilities for taking shards and building a mirror. This 11-freaking-minutes version hints that they're ready to put something out in the air tonight. The following Pitcha is a smoker. Friend of the Devil becomes the Dead when Jer comes in, after 6min. There's a slight cut in Queen Jane on some sources, but Hornsby's good here. West L.A. Fadeaway is a hot-ass rock version. The rest is average '91.

Second Set. Samson & Delilah is mixed poorly but the AUDs reveal the house sound was the same (so why was this on DiP17 instead of Playin'?). Next is the much-loved Eyes of the World - perhaps the best of '91. Bobby is inventive, Hornsby and Welnick both add, Jer's on MIDI and they hit on sudden inspiration, milking it 23min and carrying it through to Playin' for 38min of jammy jam jam. For those that think the band played sluggishly in '91, here's a truth-smack of an uptempo sequence. The verses are perfect and the Playin' jam goes out there to the point that Jer teases Dark Star @11:30 & @13:35. This was the only Eyes into Playin' in '91 (it usually went into Drums). By the time the verse kicks in for The Wheel, nobody has sung for half an hour. Jer drops in out of the blue on Around & Around and the boys land on the pinpoint. At the end Bobby drags it back (after tentative Bruce/Phil) and it turns loose jazz. Jer then retaliates with a JBGoode lick. Not tight (Vince isn't quick to follow Jer), but fun times. Two Berries with Johnny B. Goode; Hornsby takes it and runs. Knockin' on Heaven's Door is Hornsby-accordion accordance.

1st Set:  C+
2nd Set: B-
Overall = 3¼ stars

Highlights:
Wang Dang Doodle - great Pitcha
West L.A. Fadeaway - rock version swings
Eyes of the World>Playin' - everybody finds it, Eyes is tops of '91

SOURCES: This unknown-prodigy 31955 SBD has a bit more presence than the Miller (120029). Samson & Delilah>Eyes of the World is on Dick's #17.

Really allows you to hear each member of the band. Bob is in the left channel, really highlights his excellent playing. Hornsby really contributes to this one. Def worth a listen.

So, not a comprehensive review, but an anecdotal affirmation of the magnitude of the Eyes of the World on this night. As y'all know, 1989 saw the return, generally speaking, of more expansive jams by the fellas. A happy development given the truncated tendencies of the immediately preceding years. In attendance at this show, my buddies and I were simply glad to have made it. Escaping Atlanta late on March 30 for the long drive north on I-85 amidst crazy work schedules was a challenge, and it all had to be juggled with the impending three night stand on our home court in Atlanta. It was an arduous drive that didn't get underway until about 10PM or so. One night and one night only for us, because we all had to be back in Atlanta on April Fools, thus necessitating our absence at the 04/01 show in G'boro. In any case, about 18 minutes into the Eyes, my buddy Jeff Spiers turned to me and said: "Man, this is the 'Eyes, Nose, Ears and Throat of the World'." Indeed. Wish we could have stayed for the next night, but so it goes. It was worth the hassle for just this 22 minutes alone (and the rest was pretty sweet). FYI, my rating refers to the show as a whole; the Eyes was off the scale for this time period, a triathlon in its own right. Kudos to the folks at GD for including it as filler on DP17. But check out the rest of this night.

This is amaziung show almost because of it's many challeneges to the human ability to coalesce into rapture.

I LOVE the Bruce shows. It's also preposterously obvious that Jerry was tickled pink like a ten-year-old boy in a candy store run by Playboy Bunnies to have him at the keys.

In defense of the drummers, a 23 minute Eyes?! DS, yes, they got. Playin? Yup, got that too. I think in fairness this may have caught them by surprise.

Also in the early midi days this was one of those occasions when Jerry found a tone he liked and just went for it. C'mon kids, be real - how many shows were you thinkin', ("somebody take the midi away from Jerry.." ). I was literally standing next to a guy at a show when, after playing with his midi for ten minutes, 9 in the middle of a song ), the dude yelled, "Jerry - stop it - you'll go blind!".

Not a show that is Just About Exactly Perfect. But, Oh! So much joyful glee coming out of the lads when they huddle up and go long!

VG show in gen, but honestly odd how EYES keeps getting these rave reviews. It starts out wonderfully but then the drummers start dozing off and leave Garcia playing some wonderful stuff but with a wimpy sort of aimless backing. I honestly think he thought 'screw it' and just kept his energy up even though their's was flagging.

Man, Jerry is really rubbing for a Dark Star after Playin'. I love the quick tempo of the DS licks he's playing. Deserves to be listed as Playin>Dark Star Jam>Drums. e

bruce kicked it that night

The Wheel
Around And Around
Johnny B. Goode

he stood up and knocked his seat down and was playing the ivory like never before will never forget that night thanks bruce...

Evan certainly got it right there, by the time West LA rolls around, the band is kickin it into high gear.

Im too young to have seen any GD shows, but while in Denver last weekend, I met a couple 40 somehthings who told me about touring in the 90s. I told them Eyes of the World was my favorite song, and they immediately told me to check out "the spring show at Greensboro Coliseum in like 91 or something" for one of the most beautiful Eyes ever played. Its not the most exploratory, but it is executed perfectly and Jerry is soaring above on "wings a mile long!" Definitely not one to miss, be sure to hit the VBR stream for top quality ;-)

This starts out slow and uncertain, both performance and recording, and after four songs is synergy.

Gutsy, bone-wracking, heavy keys, midi-horned performance. Both guitars smiling after one another. Happy mega-toned Philip quaking away under rapidious drum turnabouts.

Oh, this is a reversion back to happy land.

Excelsior !