Grateful DeadGrateful Dead Live at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on 1991-10-31 (October 31, 1991)

This audio is available in streaming format

Collection: GratefulDead
Band/Artist: Grateful Dead
Date: October 31, 1991 (check for other copies)
Venue: Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Location: Oakland, CA

Source: Soundboard
Lineage: sbd > ? > shn
Keywords: Live concert

Description

Help On The Way-> Slipknot!-> Franklin's Tower, Little Red Rooster, Loser, Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues, Let It Grow Scarlet Begonias-> Fire On The Mountain, Truckin'-> Spoonful*, Dark Star*, Drums-> Jam**-> Dark Star*-> The Last Time*, Standing On the Moon-> Throwing Stones-> Not Fade Away, E: Werewolves of London*

Individual Files

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Reviewer: Joshadelic - - July 9, 2008
Subject: WOW!

This is one of the highlights of the 150+ shows I was lucky enough to attend. I joind this group specifically to say that the person who wrote the review before me has absolutely no idea what they are talking about. If you think this is an average show and there was nothing special about it then you obviously weren't there and you're most likely more than half deaf!

Reviewer: JamminJerome - - April 23, 2008
Subject: nothing to hate, nothing to love

this is a pretty average show, when taken in context of the Dead's history. There's really not much to report. Every song is a pretty average version, the energy is there, but not very strong. The SBD is a little muddy in sections (to me, at least). I'm also not a fan of the spooky vibes shows.

Reviewer: the Amazon - - March 19, 2008
Subject: Thanks Jerry and Ken and everybody else!!

I made it to 17 shows between 1990-1994, and I was at this one. Even as I was there taking in these incredible moments, I knew that this show would stand out as a highlight of my life forever! I remember thinking, "Of all the places I could be on the planet Earth at this moment, how did I ever get lucky enough to be HERE? Thank you to the Grateful Dead and all the G.D family for gracing my life with your presence! Now, for all the rest of you who sometimes get nostalgic for those "days gone by," just remember what Janice Joplin said: "Tomorrow never comes; it's all the same fucking day, man!"

Reviewer: setheree13 - - December 19, 2007
Subject: nuff said!!!!

i just got done burning one as well and started to play this show. i didnt move. i picked up a dead book and read about the boys while they sang to me. im only 22 years old. but the ds drums space/ keesey rap is just redankulious. and i totally agree. the rap gives you chils big time. i think keesey is crying actually. a must have for any dead head!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Thanks again archive for helping out the younger generation educate themselves with be good music
namaste

Reviewer: Delaneyness - - November 7, 2007
Subject: OMG~!

Wow...

That's all that comes to mind after listening to the entire Dark Star jam... Dark Star was awesome in and of itself, then coupled with Kesey's rant with was AWESUME and then, boom... one of the best space and drums I've _ever_ heard.

Total mind blower.

Reviewer: umphreakWI - - November 1, 2007
Subject: first dead show at the age of 10!!!

Heavy phil all night!!! my paents couldnt find a babysitter so I had the opertunity to enjoy the show. didnint understand the people around me untill i tried LSD for myself

Reviewer: philphanatic - - October 25, 2007
Subject: i had to turn it off

first time i heard this show. i mean the first time i really heard this show was a rainy day, i was over a friends house. this kid had some amazing mushrooms so we decided to pick a random show with a good setlist and let dead do their work.
Well I felt like i lived and died my entire life and am now back living my second chance.
Kesey opened up my head pulled out my brain, mashed it around a little bit and then exposed me to the most intense elements any human being can experience. When he was done he up it back in and sent me on my way a different person.
as for the rest of the show. it gave me the typical holy shit feeling. like a freight train just ran me over, The second set had my brain cooking. I started coming down during not fade away. or so i thought. when werewolves started, jerry's vocals were the only thing keeping me on the ground. the sounds of the guitar licks were coming through in rays.

if you're a deadhead and havent listened to this show well then. LISTEN TO IT!!!! why havent you yet??



i reccomend you watch one flew over the cuckoo's nest while tripping

Reviewer: morning dew 71 - - September 18, 2007
Subject: so gooood i had to leave 5 more stars!

so many memories flooding back. backstage was buzzing with energy, everyone was getting pumped to load out the show so that we could move everything over to the park for Bill's free memorial show.

"Ahoooooooooooo! Warewolves of Oakland!"

i didn't sleep at all that week. Choi Boy, Reese, Bundy, Kilgore, Psycho Mikey - i miss you guys, what a great crew. we had one helluva time.

Reviewer: stoner mulholland - - June 10, 2007
Subject: 91''the last great year

i'd done almost the entire tour that year..and let me say by the time the dead did these shows there playin level was at an all time high for this year...the 2nd set was magical...it really is a must have

Reviewer: brendanmcauley - - May 14, 2007
Subject: had to be there....on the floor with Chubaka!

This show was absolutely amazing.... I can not do justice as so many have written about this show.
What I can remember distictly is that during Scarlet>Fire I was on the floor and it was really hot (I was influenced my magic as well) and at one point the costumes were all too much and then I heard the sound of Jerry's first few licks of the Scarlet intro and things were soooo weird; if the person who was the witch with the broom stick and mask please identify yourself!-and remove your image from my cerebral cortex...seriously weird..I was not in costume. So unfortunate about BG but such great music here. The HSFranks in set one is not shab job either...slipknot will shred you a new a-hole! Crank it up! Someone was a big Chubaka and was dancing his ass off! I was like, 'okay, big ass chubaka is into the slipknot...make note to self...'chubaka dances like the hulk on acid. Great! Oh and he is dancing closer and closer to me...how cool!....that was the weird thing about this show; the costumes were so odd to be around.
The dark star is over the top pure jazzified psychidelic dead. The licks are sparse yet plentyful and, as Kesey once said about Garcia's licks, 'they slithered like snakes in and out of loosely stacked chords".

The 'let it grow' in set one also deserves mention as does the werewolves encore. This whole show is kind quality and better than the other one also posted here.

What a great memory...then those days in the park on 11/3 were such a blast...

Reviewer: TheDaliTrauma - - October 25, 2006
Subject: the warrior thought, the hard thought...

One of my top ten. Gary Duncan's very distinctive guitar sound on the second set and one of my favorite Stars ever. First set is rock solid and second set is as awesome as you've heard. Kesey's words send a chill up my spine. My SBD tape was missing the drums->space and I am glad to have it. My first show was on my birthday on the 28th. That was a solid night, but man, if I had a choice back then, I would have waited. Fall '91 rules and this is the jewel in the crown.

Reviewer: drumzspace - - August 21, 2006
Subject: INCREDIBLE

The 2cd set alone gets 5 stars!!!!
i put on my headphones, and my head spins into the outter reaches of space from scarlet all the way thru to NFA. This show will leave you in total awe.
Inspiration move me brightly

Reviewer: another one - - August 5, 2006
Subject: crazy stuff

this is one of the weirdest shows ive ever heard, and thats weird by dead standards! if the dark star > kesey jam > drums > space > dark star doesnt freak you out, then nothing will... like one of the other reviewers said, i had to turn the space off after a few minutes, not cause it was bad, but b/c my mind couldnt handle it any longer

if you dead thatll give u the shivers, this one is for you!

Reviewer: drgnw/mtchs - - February 3, 2006
Subject: pure EVIL!

Not only had Kesey been struggling with the loss of Bill G, but one of his sons had also recently met an early grave. You can almost feel his rage. Unbelievable raw emotion. It is a pretty solid performance otherwise as well. In memory of Ken, "Your'e either on the bus, or your'e off?" An all around great show, and a disgustingly crips recording to boot.

Reviewer: spinyn - - December 28, 2005
Subject: Great show

This was the last really blow out of a show I ever saw. The Vista Cruiser was out that night! The energy level when Kesey took the stage was unreal. Lots of emotion with Bill Graham's death... This is a classic.

Reviewer: jfk62 - - December 17, 2005
Subject: Five Stars is Not Enough

I just finished listening to this show after burning. I was blown away by the incredible sound of the recording and the equally incredible playing. The music is simply glorious. It almost brought tears to my eyes. Each song or group of songs is like an epic symphonic production. The overall sound of the band is HUGE, but you can still hear each instrument separately. The first set contains some OLD songs, but they are given a fantastic treatment. Jerry's scratchy voice gives them a world-weary touch. "Loser" sounds like advice from someone who has really been through the mill. Help>Franklin and Scarlet>Fire are wonderful. Bob's Rooster and Grow are equally good. A very nice surprise appearance from Phil on Tom Thumb. The second set including the long Dark Star/Space segment is very appropriate for Halloween night - some weird and scary stuff inside! The other songs at the end bring us back to earth - while Standing on the Moon!
The sound board is still available at nugets.net (that's where I got it) Download it while you still can!!!

Reviewer: Dylanstubs - - December 8, 2005
Subject: Buffalo Bill is defunct

The Kesey rap in the pre-Drums Dark Star jam is one of the most intense moments in GD history. If it doesn't give you chills, you're just not gettin' it. As Kesey says, Bill Graham got it. Thank you Bill.

Reviewer: kilt - - August 21, 2005
Subject: Eulogy to BG

I have listened several times to Kesey's "rant" as one review put it. This was shortly after the death of Bill Graham. My impression has always been that this was Kesey's eulogy to BG. He does get quite emotional about his old freind, especially when he recounts BG reaching out to Kesey when he lost his son.

Have a close listen. When I heard this I remembered the only New Year's show I have been to when one of my best freinds ran into Kesey and another ran into BG. This memory suddenly became very serendipitous to me. I remember being brought to tears by this. Kesey is so damned grand-eloquent.

Also, it is not a single guitar but the entire band jamming low behind him.

Kesey remarks, "This is what this shit is all about!" Yes it is, indeed.

Reviewer: darkstar11/11/73 - - May 25, 2005
Subject: space

this show contains the most amazing space segment ever......by far. I listened to this while tripping and it scared me to the point of having to leave the room.....no joke. The entire darkstar segment of this show is so emotional and intense. wortht the download alone......pretty good h>s>f to open but no 5/9. never got into 90s stuff till i stumbled on this....very nice jams with good well thought out phrases by jerry

Reviewer: auggie - - April 28, 2005
Subject: Solid Show w/ Weirdness

Emotional day for some, especially Mr. Kesey.

Good example of the '91 sound complete with layered keys and light on bass. Also a typical set list for that year. Solid workman like run through of some well loved tunes. I don't like Gary Duncan's guitar that pops up in the 2nd set but I do like the Kesey lunacy during the Dark Star. Best word to describe is solid.

Reviewer: capn doubledose - - April 5, 2005
Subject: Very cool

This is a 'must hear' for Kesey's beatnick dexedrine fueled rant alone and not sure who else is on guitar but this is great. LRR, Loser hot as well. Dark Star>Last time??? It's awesome.

Reviewer: kewe65 - - March 15, 2005
Subject: kesey

fyi, kesey's rap includes the one literary reference (not the "various literary references" one reviewer mentioned) and that is e. e. cummings' poem "Buffalo Bill's".

Reviewer: grease - - March 12, 2005
Subject: what can ya say?

This show was hot. What a weird strange day. All i can say is if you get confused listen to the music play.

Reviewer: lobster12 - - March 10, 2005
Subject: LAST GREAT RUN

some feel the last great run of shows especailly under less than festive circumstances. Not only is the kesey rap intense, but the jam that goes with it is extremely haunting. This is a must for anyone who considers themseleves a deadhead. Top Notch!

Reviewer: dmilks - - March 3, 2005
Subject: fasten your seatbelt

If you haven't heard the Kesey rant, you are missing one the most powerful GD moments ever (imho). The way the band follows him through his rant is cosmic.

Reviewer: DuneTripper - - February 18, 2005
Subject: Spooky

The Kesey rap sent chills through everyone that night. Listen for the various literary references and you'll really get spooked. A close listen to the jam behind Kesey's spoken word reveals a startling resemblance to a few '73-74 era jams. The mood in the building that night was VERY different...everyone knew it was the end of era with Bill's passing. After the show I pulled into a gas station and standing there at the next pump was Kesey. I said "unbelievable rap there Kesey" and he was soo high he just looked at me with his pupils the size of pie-plates and this quivering smile on his face. He was blazing.

Download this show, turn down the lights and turn up the volume.

Reviewer: moreilly - - December 9, 2004
Subject: Throwin Stones Jam

I have been looking for this set since I lost my tape of it 8 years ago. By far my all time favorite set. The throwin stones jam is insane! my favorite jam of the concert :-)

Reviewer: Bob the listener - - November 25, 2004
Subject: ! !

I like this show,
sound quality's great,
if youre thinkin bout downloadin',
dont think to hesitate.
Heavy on the Phil, nuff sed!
stellar stuff...

Reviewer: Mike Zichella - - November 20, 2004
Subject: -

Hang on to the couch, or whereever your ass is smushed down. This second set is ....intense?... creepy?... Call it what you want , but this is a great show (imho). Keasy, as shamman, makes a few things clear for the people, and there's no way to ignore him.

(Not to compare this show to another, BUT, Oct. 26, 1989 has a similar vibe, so if you want another freak out session you might want to try it.)

Reviewer: Mike Zichella - - November 20, 2004
Subject: -

Hang on to the couch, or whereever your ass is smushed down. This second set is ....intense?... creepy?... Call it what you want , but this is a great show (imho). Keasy, as shamman, makes a few things clear for the people, and there's no way to ignore him.

(Not to compare this show to another, BUT, Oct. 26, 1989 has a similar vibe, so if you want another freak out session you might want to try it.)

Reviewer: Alpine7784 - - November 16, 2004
Subject: VERY heavy

Buffalo Bill's
defunct
who used to
ride a watersmooth-silver
stallion
and break onetwothreefourfive pigeonsjustlikethat
Jesus
he was a handsome man
and what i want to know is
how do you like your blueeyed boy
Mister Death

Reviewer: *Merlin* - - June 22, 2004
Subject: It's all good

Without a doubt this is a gem. The second set sparkles all the way through with so many small haunting moments that its very fitting for a Halloween show. And yes, the 'Jam' after Dark Star is amazing. Kesey comes out and recites a poem and ad libs a bit but the band is ripping behind him, just amazing stuff.

Reviewer: Thymer - - June 18, 2004
Subject: All time favorite attended show!!!

My first show of about 30 was 9-30-88 and my last being 7-24-94. Of all the shows in between this period this show was my all time favorite. First set
was awesome. I was very close to the stage- on Phil side in the stands at the Coliseum.
Words cannot describe what an experience this show was. The parking lot scene was outta control with the freaky costumes. Near impossible to score a ticket if you didn't already have one.
Of all my shows I have the fondest memories of this one. I can still see the opening set and the band on stage in my mind.
Tragic as Bill's death was, I believe his death really brought out what the Dead were really all about. The first show of this run was sweet too. Very unexpected surprise to see Santana come out and jam on Iko.

Reviewer: tstrit - - May 25, 2004
Subject: Spookiest Halloween ever...

As good as this show sounds, it was THAT much better live. Easily the spookiest Halloween I ever experienced with Kesey making such an unbelievable, albeit brief, performance. Energy & emotions were at a high with the passing of Bill Graham so close to these shows.... This show is worth the listen just for the Dark Star alone!!

Reviewer: Al Dad Shasta - - May 19, 2004
Subject: Kesey Rap

I love the Ken Kesey rap in the jam during Dark Star. This was one of the 1st sbd's I ever got and it had a few drops in it. Glad to have a nice clean copy of the entire show. The Werewolves encore is almost an anticlimax to a great second set. The guest spot by Gary Duncan brings some extra life to the show.

Notes

sbd> ?> shn; via Tony Gardner