Bought tix through ticketmaster, somehow ended up with 6th row center. I've been to 100 or so shows, including some of the great mid-to-late 70s shows (including Cornell 77) and this show was a stunner. Ornette and Jerry trading riffs? Of course, I was as close to Jerry as I had been since 77, so that might influence this review, but I think an objectively good show (especially for the 90's, pretty sure (sadly) my last Dead show (certainly with Jerry)), with a great 2nd set setlist and some inspired playing. Jerry always got pushed by great sax players, and this is perhaps the greatest all time saxophonist to ever trade riffs with Jerry and the Dead.

As a Deadhead living in LA, you sometimes felt like you were the poor cousin, when you visited friends and went to shows in the Bay Area. Our NoCal cousins seemed to have the best venues, the best vibe, and, yes, the band lived there, so they had that too. So it was somewhat of a surprise to have the Dead offer up what was, for me, the best show of '93, as far as the ones I saw. The first set was high energy, and the second set went old school with China>Rider, Estimated. But, for me, the most memorable moment was Space>Other One featuring Ornette Coleman. No, I wasn't as fortunate as Augy to have met and spoke with the jazz legend during the first set. But it was one of the most astonishing and magical experiences I have ever had at a show. As this year's theme is the Dead and Friends on my radio show, you can guarantee this show will be featured when December rolls around!!!

First I want to say I'm revising this, because I want to apologize since I noticed that for some strange reason this is appearing twice, why I have no idea! And I just noticed that about the reviewer on the next show. I sure hope this doesn't come out a third time now; or perhaps hopefully, it will fix itself, in which case you won't know what the heck I'm talking about. But that's better than seeing it over again!
Wow how can I forget, I haven't heard this in quite a while, since my tapes are in storage. Not to brag, but guess who was right behind me during the first set on the lower mid-front left side facing the stage; none other than Ornette Coleman himself!
So when the set ended, I introduced myself, and said that I'd seen him before at the Palace in Hollywood, and heard the tape of him with Grateful Dead in Oakland. To which he seemed enthused that he was recognized in the dark, with a semi-general admission crowd. Naturally, I expressed that it would be great if he would play with them. He probably was planning on it anyway, even if I didn't talk to him!
Airto, was his usual greatness. I was fortunate enough, to have seen every, (besides for most of the Hamza El-Din and Olatunji appearances,(I held Babba's hand, (since he was blind), backstage on New Year's))), Airto appearance with Grateful Dead, except one, in addition to other times with other folks at jazz fests, on his own, and the first Planet Drum show at the Marin Vet. Center. As well as on the second Planet tour!
I remember Easy Answers to be amazing, or was that other run of shows they did here at the L.A. Sports Arena or both, (I love that tune, but even so)? I have to listen again, to those as well, with Branford Marsalis in '94. I'll write more later. You'll dig this I hope!

Augy
San Diego