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Grateful Dead Live at Soldier Field on 1995-07-08

by Grateful Dead

Publication date: 1995-07-08 ( check for other copies)

Topics: Live concert

Collection: GratefulDead

Band/Artist: Grateful Dead

Resource: DeadLists Project

Jack Straw, Sugaree, Wang Dang Doodle, Althea, Queen Jane Approximately, Tennessee Jed, Eternity*, Don't Ease Me In China Cat Sunflower-> I Know You Rider, It's All Too Much, Saint Of Circumstance-> Terrapin Station-> Drums-> Space-> The Other One-> Visions Of Johanna, One More Saturday Night, E: U.S. Blues

Notes

A classic recording from the last of the mega-stadium days. I think this show speaks more to Grateful Dead history than anything spectacular musically.

This was my fist and only trip to Soldier Field and I was totally blown away by the size. I had never seen a stadium gig. By July of '95 I'd managed to hit 23 dead shows. And by number 24 I was beginning to feel like somewhat of a vertaran. (yeah right) I had no idea what I was in for. I had floor seats that night but actually went back to the taper section to plug-in. I had a great view of the entire stadium sitting front row of the balcony-like section that sat over the entrance to the floor. The Band opener was largely forgettable. The stadium started filling up in usual style during the Band's set and somewhat afterwards. From the opening notes of Jack Straw I had the most amazing feeling and was totally overwhelmed by the size of the whole thing. I couldn't believe this many people, all together all listening to the dead. It was just too much. And it was a picture perfect night. The sun was going down and had a nice reflection off the lake, it was simply beautiful.

The hightlight of this show is ofcourse the Visions of Johanna. Mona Lisa sure musta had the highway blues that night. That moment right there made the entire trip (from Ohio) worth it. A classic night sealed in time by Mr. Nutter's terrific recording.

Enjoy these tapes and remember the happiness the Grateful Dead has provided for all of us.

--Bill Gardner, 06/16/01

Addeddate: 2004-05-18 14:26:39

Discs: 3

Has_mp3: 1

Identifier: gd95-07-08.BK401s.4362.sbeok.shnf

Lineage: B&K 4006's (FOB, in-hat) > Lunatec 316 > Panasonic SV-250 (48khz) > Sony DTC-A6 > DiO 2448 > SF 4.5 (resample, fades) > CD Wave > SHN

Location: Chicago, IL

Shndiscs: 2

Source: Audience: B&K 4006's

Taped by: Marc Nutter

Transferred by: Bill Gardner

Type: sound

Venue: Soldier Field

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Reviews

Reviewer: jonnyb73 - - July 8, 2021
Subject: Notes

whom ever wrote the "Notes" to this should look at Soldier Field now, back in 95 it was really not that big, Giants Stadium was a much larger venue.
also, it wasn't the "last of the mega stadium days", it was the last run of the Grateful Dead...period.
as for Monkeyspaw, "Jerry's last" was the next night as well as the whole band.

Reviewer: Monkeypaws - - September 29, 2020
Subject: Jerry's last

Sugaree, Tennessee Jed. Althea, China Cat, and Terrapin. Don't care if it was not a great show, the lights were getting turned out on a lot of classic tunes.

Reviewer: ESAREMone - - September 5, 2013
Subject: Thank you

For a real good time as always. Ive Always enjoy reading comments and reviews when listening to shows on here. I could not get through Sugaree without stopping and finally creating an account so I can leave a comment.
It pains me to think there could be so much bad to say about any Grateful Dead show!---Says the 24 year old who has not seen Jerry, and first Live Dead Experience was in April of 2009---However, I like the tuning, hearing the taper conversation, soak in crowd banter. The greatest thing I think about them is a 1995 show is a 1995 show because 1965 existed. In other words, the entity that they are breathes with the times and the trials and tribulations of each member in life.
I have 400 plus cassettes. None are Perfect---Not even the Cornell ones, and they don't melt my tape decks (~);}}---They all are excellent because of what they each bring. The band, it's preservation, and what the surviving members do now is all beautiful. Okay I'm rambling. But thanks for prompting me to make an account and share some good Lovin vibes with you fine "'chiveheads"
-Sean

Reviewer: halfaday - - June 16, 2013
Subject: loser

Deborah Koons Garcia biggest loser in dead history !

Reviewer: hl2 - - July 13, 2012
Subject: To all you shit talking punks

You are crazy. What you only love em when everything is exactly on point? 30 years of tour and Jerry a month from death...yeah it's not all fire but fuckin' a it ain't about that. I don't know about you guys but this is a good recording of some wonderful people doing something important. And for the record, I can't listen to this Visions without crying

Reviewer: unbrobenchain???mighthavejustbroke - - May 28, 2011
Subject: "." Nonintuitive

"." Nonintuitive

Reviewer: Truckin1853 - - July 8, 2010
Subject: so what?

Look, this isn't a great show to listen to on tape, but it's still the Dead. The negativity of some of the reviews below strikes me as overblown, if not outright retarded. There were plenty of good shows in the 80s and early 90s. Not to mention the fact that Brent lent some much needed energy and creativity. It's tough to go through 30 years of near incessant touring without some peaks and valleys. So get over it already.

Reviewer: 17whenitoured - - February 5, 2010
Subject: Yup, not the greatest

I saw this whole summer tour from Detroit to Chicago, and this was the worst...lol...i love the Dead, still had a great time. The other reviews that say catch the "Visions" from this nite are wasting your time. Catch the "Visions" from 4-7-95 in Miami guys....F'in awesome! This nite's version pales in comparison. Oh, almost everything was off, but the actual highlights from this nite are a nicely well played Sugaree, and to be honest, a sweet Saint of Circumstance! It was the 14th of my 15 shows (caught the last show and DAMN am i GRATEFUL) and I was starving by the end of the show. It was the only time i saw "Visions" live, and it was nice...the line "I cannot explain, it's so hard to get on..." just moved me...but the highlight of the show for me was after "Visions" was done, some guy passed me his chips n cheese! LOL!! I scarffed it down! One more Saturday passed, and I coulda cared less! I had food! :-) Who let Vince sing on US Blues? Wow, what a catastrophe? (Bless his soul, he's gone now)

Reviewer: Gdtrfb75 - - July 8, 2009
Subject: 2 reviews down

I rarely review anything on the amazing Archive, but the dude from 2 reviews down is a douche-bag.

Sorry...

Sure not a gem, but surely not as bad as to sell your ticket for the next night.

I hope your tight-puckered asshole has released since 1995.

I miss any moment that I was lucky enough to witness, and this is one of them. Sure, plow through some great '77 or '89 shows, but don't diss the Dead altogether man!

I miss Jerry in any form. This recording and show is a 3 for nostalgic reasons.

Reviewer: MayAllSentientBeings - - March 24, 2009
Subject: Bless you forever ...

So sad ... especially Terrapin ... dificult to listen to ... Bless you forever and ever, Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead ...

Reviewer: murphbass - - July 17, 2008
Subject: Not feeling it

I was at this show, and it was so horrendous that I sold my ticket for the next night immediately after the encore. Little did I know that the next night would be the last ever, but I couldn't stand to see Jerry in such poor form. Yes, we've all seen him pretty out of it- missing lyrics and changes, but he almost always held his guitar playing together in those situations. Sometimes his playing was epic though he struggled to get the words out. Not here, unfortunately.

I see that some reviews mention the 'Visions of Johanna' as a high point. If you were there, you'll remember the surge of the crowd as Jerry got a line out with A LITTLE bit of force comparatively. It was obvious that Jerry wasn't doing well and needed a break, but his sense of obligation to his fans superseded his own personal needs. It seemed selfish for the fans to demand the Dead to continue when their demise could be charted as a steadily downward slope since '79 or so (with moments of brilliance in summer '89, spring '90, some of '91 and some healthy Jerry for a little in '93).

Archive.org is an amazing site with pretty much every Dead show ever. Why not peruse for the REAL GOODS. It's not to hard to find a gem, but you won't find one here.

Reviewer: JustinMusic - - January 11, 2008
Subject: The Best..

For Summer '95, this is a kick ass show, I beleive this is one of Jerry's last shows, at least the last one we have recorded.

Reviewer: abcpaperless - - November 7, 2007
Subject: Visions of Johanna

I was at this show and Jerry was incredible on Visions of Johanna. Highly memorable.

Reviewer: gapvista1969deadhead - - July 13, 2007
Subject: was it realy the end??

This may not be the best recording i've heard,although the way you can hear people in the background gives it a nice virtual effect. This show is monumental in the respect that it marked a place in history that was sure to put the remaining members of the band and fans to a test of preserving a commitment to Greatful music and festival entertainment.

Reviewer: gr8flmark - - May 13, 2007
Subject: I MISS THESE GUYS TOO

Even though its sad to hear JG noodle around so much its still nice to know that he was trying.This show doesnt have many highlights other than sentimental.Only terrapin really stands out. I still download every show I can and listen to them all. So check it out and bring back some good memories.

Reviewer: Skihard - - January 9, 2007
Subject: Trapin... "Ya Nailed It"

Damn! I miss him is not only the perfect way to convey your feelings, it's a sort of Dead binary code that says you get it. And for those of us who do "as well", it's a sign that says look for me on the path of the Human Being, we can rest a spell and speak of days in the sun, nights in the bus, and time spent dancin' with our very own spirits, as if they were our instructors on a rainbow floor in a cloudscape painting.

I'll be the one with the Lorax T from the "Gahdin 91" and a Red Sox hat. Peace Brother

Reviewer: trapin - - August 24, 2006
Subject: My last show

This was my last show ever, the last time to see the boys, all together, in my home town. Jerry was nodding a lot that night, but Terrapin made it all worth it. Damn, I miss him.

Reviewer: ccclyde - - January 13, 2006
Subject: Thank You

Thanks to the GD for allowing us to listen to their great music. I miss you guys!

Reviewer: Chumba - - September 22, 2005
Subject: last chance

Get Visions of Johanna while you can its soon to be released on "Garcia Plays Dylan" due out in oct 2005

http://www.jerrygarciastore.com/dylancollectedart/

Reviewer: Ben C - - January 6, 2005
Subject: nice aud

This is a pretty good AUD, surprisingly little crowd noise and chatter for a FOB tape with omnidirectional mics. Compared to the SBD, of course this is much more diffuse sounding, particularly noticeable on the initial attack of the instruments and vocals. But I really like the natural and transparent sound of this recording, plus of course the crowd energy shines through, expecially during the Visions of Johanna, I get chills just thinking about it! Also, a sweet sweet full low end on this tape, classic B&K omni sound. :-) If you have a nice playback system you will enjoy this one. The Visions of Johanna is a must-hear, I remember at the show I had no idea what the heck song it was they were playing, but whatever it was seemed really powerful.

This was my first (and last) Dead show, I had a blast, danced by ass off, and was sound asleep as soon as we got back to the hotel. I loved it so much I planned to hit the Boston shows on fall tour. Never mind that I had no idea where the heck Boston was for that matter. :-) Well of course those plans never materialized due to Jerry's passing, but my life was never the same after this night!

Thanks to Marc Nutter and Bill Gardner for sharing.

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