Nice show like buckeye lake better perfect matrix

I always thought Dwight Yoakam was a weird choice for opener but I remember there were a few years when he had indie cred and was appearing everywhere. The gods know why that aligned - not that he isn't great at his genre, but intentionally-twanged straight rock for straights and the Dead are hardly likely partners. I couldn't sit through something that contrived (post full-moon encounter with a succubus, my arm was in a cast this tour, which made partying...strange). Little Feat opened the next couple nights - all football stadium stops.

First Set. There's a nice flow to otherwise standard '91 versions - when Bruce pwns the show this happens. He's the one that looks at the size of the crowd, the amount of capital/fan-emotional investments changing hands, and decides to be a professional musician. A Bruce '91 show always has some moments where he does something cool. They pitch a strong Wang Dang and there's a rompish Maggie's Farm with everybody psyched to hit their measures (as is apparent on the DVD). The sets goes out fine with Music Never Stopped.

Second Set. Long for '91, @ 1:40. It's a helluva Slipknot! with Bruce right on top. Help>Slip>Franks is 25 minutes of above-average. Bobby's voice then checks out for Estimated and though not a complete trainwreck, it's damn well unfocused. Dark Star was often a set highpoint in '91. This was a couple days before they teased it 6 times in one show. Bobby gets into Lovelight, pumping it up. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue is the Bruce-on-accordion '91 stylee. The rest is average. It's with the ensemble pieces where they're bouncing off each other that Spring '91 gets good.

1st Set:  C
2nd Set: C+
Overall = 3 Stars

Highlights:
Maggie's Farm - Taking the dog for a walk
>Slipknot!> - Best jam of the week

SOURCES: The entire show is on View from the Vault II DVD/CD (which also includes part of the lesser 7/12/90 show and one track from the superior 6/9/91 show). The SBD sounds the same but the Dusborne matrix is more engaging than either of those sources, adding needed excitement and with ideal ratios.