My last Dead show I saw. Had a blast the year before at Alpine. Not this time. As a few reviewers mentioned it was uncomfortably hot. I was itching to leave the baking parking lot scene and get to a lake or shade but it was impossible to make anything happen. I remember some stupid folks shooting off firecrackers near some dry trees. I think it was this show that had lots of shoving getting into the venue. After "Tough of Grey" a rowdier element started making it to the shows which was a drag. And this show's music was kinda blah. I remember the realllly long ending to Not Fade Away. And I never enjoyed the Dead's versions of Heavan's Door or Dear Mr. Fantasy. By this point I realized I was done with the scene. Today I love lots of the music still (I'm collecting 1969 Dark Stars) but after this Alpine show it was time for me to move on and explore other pastures.

No Highlights

Sure, it's all well and good, listening to this series in the comfort of your own home.

This was an unbelievable event, and extremely uncomfortable. 1988's drought was the 2nd worst natural disaster in US history (looked it up). I actually dated a girl that summer cause she had A/C (yes, I feel bad about that).

But this, much like the next year's deluge of rain, brought the whole tribe together, the band and the fans were all one.

Sorry I'm not mentioning individual songs, but it was 4 shows in five days, in oppressive heat. We all remember where we were on the day off; someplace cool recouping, eagerly awaiting the next set. Wonderful, brutal times!

Hot set of shows - literally. Cloudless and in the high 90s and 100s - melted tar on the roads kind of hot.

They announced over the PA before the 1st show began that it was dry and to look out for one another and especially for fires.

Two shows, then a break and two more. During the break, we crammed 15 people into a motel room, turned the AC on full, and slept all day.

Hottest Alpine run ever - we were original going up and extra crispy coming home.

This was a real good show. Not Consistently great throughout, but solid or better, with some great moments.
Bird Song - A really sweet jam on this one. I'd put it in the top ten (maybe even top five) versions of the band's final decade.
Promised Land - Check out the rhythm devils on this version. A great rendition for that alone.

While Jer just wrecks the lyrics, I really love the versions of Foolish Heart they played prior to the release of Built to Last. They hadn't added that "dadda da-da-da-da-da" timing accent at the end of the solo yet, which I never could stand.
Playin' Throwing Stones, Not Fade Away, and Even Knockin' are strong, if not definitive versions. A real fun show with a few really great highlights.

ya, the entire Alpine '88 run was overshadowed by that ball-crushing 4th night, so much so that I tend to forget that there were the three other shows.

This is a real solid show from a real solid era, and this is a GREAT recording.

Decent show. Okay recording. Thanks Charlie.

I have to give it 5 stars - just for pulling my heartstrings. This was my 1st real tour. I bought a one-way plane ticket to Minnesota and hitched rides the rest of the way. With nothing but an old leather postman's satchel and a small bedroll, I felt like a Jack Kerouac out meeting his destiny. Standing on that hillside rocked my world. The cornfields, the craziness.... what can I say. Thank-you.

20 years of a crappy audience copy. I always kept it because of the first Foolish but it just sounded horrible whenever I mustered up the rare nerve to listen. Thanks for the treat. Finally.