I sang a little while and then flew on.

From the Eyes on thru Throwin Stones, top 5 shows ever IMHO. Amazing improv w Branford. Kinda redundant to even talk it up....Great show. You gotta hear it. Thanks CHARLIE for your hard work.

RAMBLE ON ROSE is near Perfect, they're just riding the energy.... Headphones recommended

over rated and undercooked turkey of a show

It's all about the "Dark Star" on this one. One of the greatest I've heard. The rest of the show is only excellent.

Sweet mother of moses. This is a WHALE of a show. The Eyes alone is a lush velvet soundscape that stimulates my mind. I do love shows with Branford. I always have. This is one of my all time favorites. There are many so the distinction is not as unique as it is with some, but for those of us who heard legend of the bus back in oh mid 80s, and hopped on, this is as good as it got IMHO.

I think everyone can agree that all the Branford shows were exceptional moments in GD history. Which one is the best, is something that can be debated forever. I think they are all great, with incredible moments in each of those shows, that could make each one "better" than the other,(although i would put the LA show last no matter what), I think being at the show makes the most difference if you were lucky to catch one.

3-29-90: I know if you were there, nothing would compare to it. Probably the most pleasureable Eyes of the World to listen to at anytime, the first time together and just how good it all sounds is why i think people rate this as number 1. I have it ranked at 2,for only 1 (well maybe 2) reason which will be stated below.

12-31-90: love the NFA>eyes 2nd set opener, but space>other one>wharf rat, wow is all I can say to that madness. I rank this at 3.

9-10-91:My number 1 branford show, because he played the whole show and I had the best seats in the house (SECTION 75, ROW L SEAT 3, look it up). The fact he played the whole show sets this one apart from the others by a hair. The first set, from shakedown to deal, is incredible IMO. By far, the most powerful 1st set I ever heard, even if it was only 7 songs. The 2nd set wasn't filled with thier greatest versions of these songs other than Standing on the moon, but the slipknot was out of this world and the jam from estimated to dark star was pretty awesome in its own right.

The LA show: I have only listened to this show once, and I wasn't even impressed with the scarlet>fire, so this is a solid 4th place for me.

I know my seats have made me biased, because the sound I heard at MSG was and still is, mind-boggeling. It was as though you could SEE the music coming from the stage (and no, I was fairly sober this night as this was the 6th of the 7 shows I caught of this tour). This is just my opinion, but I am glad that all these shows happened, because I love it all!!!!!

The text file (dig a bit) says:

"Notes:
-- Branford Marsalis plays saxophone on Bird Song and Promised in Set 1 and the entire 2nd Set, except for Drums and Knockin'".

If it ain't Branford on "Knockin'", who is it, maybe one of the drummers? Like most of their stuff from this era, "Knockin'" doesn't need two drummers - it ain't no "(The) Eleven".

Killer version though (and overall a very good if not great show) - better than the one on 'Crimson, White and Indigo' and that one's pretty good too.

Overall good show = 4 stars (i.e. not a 5 star 'Live/Dead').

Without a doubt, this is the finest performance the boys did in the 1990s. If the Dead ever experienced a "comeback" period, I'd say 1989-1990 was it. The band actually spent time rehearsing for shows, their equipment was boss, and they started having genuine fun with the music again. I'm not a big fan of the MIDI years, but at least they were doing some really creative stuff with their effects racks during these tours (not just noodling away during Space, or adding godawful horns to Ramble On Rose). Brent and Jerry were especially hot during '89-'90.

I agree; this show is the Barton Hall of the Brent era.

When Branford starts playing on Eyes, it's like the sax part belongs there, has been there all along, and should always be there. Brings tears to my eyes every time. :)

Really, this is the best the boys sounded since Barton Hall '77.
IMHO, you who think the night before or after was ANYWHERE NEAR this night, has about 1,000 more hours listening to bootlegs before they make another comment. Go ahead...I'll wait.

It is not just Jerry and Branford that make the show. They are ALL good. They are playing like an ensemble, instead of a bunch of aging druggies going through the motions. Breaks my heart to say that, but it's what they evolved into.

Bob's singing is more restrained that usual. At some point, he got a theatrical, over-the-top style which I don't care for. But not so much in this show.

Brent's keyboard playing is also ON (I can do without his song, but that's ok). Shows a lot more range than his usual schtick.

I don't think there are any weak points. The sound quality of the recording is also very good.

Friends, Stop arguing. Having been there for the shows, I must say that ALL THREE SHOWS WERE EQUALLY SICK. From Summer 1989, the Dead were on fire, and the three Nassau shows were simply UNREAL.

Unbelievable. I was 16 years old at this show. It wasn't my first, but I knew that it was special when it happened. The tapes of this show were so vital throughout the next few years (and my copies were such good quality) that I rarely played them for fear of getting eaten up. This was (and is) a special occasion show.

Branford helps take the band to a whole different level. it's great listening to him and jerry bouncing solos off of each other. this show is great but the best branford show was the new year's show.

SteveCA, I agree with Sumatra. The next night is much better! Read the reviews and listen to it. I think your the one who doesn't have a clue! Especially since you only review 1990's show w/o brent. The worst years in their history.

3/30/90 KICKS ASS

3/29/90/is great, but....

This is probably my favorite latter-day Dead show. As someone who's never seen the Dead back when they were still Grateful, unfortunately, my opinion is based solely on the performance. Sure, personal taste comes into play, but I try to be objective here. However, a show with Branford Marsalis and a killer setlist like this certainly gives it an advantage going in.

But it's not just because of these things that it's great, because as we all know, great setlists don't mean much if the songs aren't performed well. Here they're not just performed well, but near flawless. Jerry pours his heart out into every song, through his voice and his guitar.

I honestly can't pick a highlight, as the whole show is amazing straight through. Branford Marsalis really gels with the band here, turning Bird Song, Eyes, and Dark Star into entirely unique compositions, worthy of repeat listens. Over the years I've listened to this show dozens of times, and it never ceases to amaze me how new details and intricacies reveal themselves to me with each new listen.

With so many shows up here on the Archive, it can be difficult to really spend time with one show for a few days. This one is well worth knowing by heart.

Impeccable sound as always from Charlie.

This was effectively my last show. Though I saw quite a few shows after March 29, 1990, nothing topped this one. The legend was that Branford Marsalis had not even heard The Dead before getting on stage with them that night. The next day, he allegedly went to Tower Records and purchased the entire GD catalogue. From Branford's first peeps during "Birdsong" to the crazy, up and down, second set scale-runnings with Jerry and Brent and twisted jazz that eventually found its way onto "Infrared Roses," there was an energy and genuine excitement present that simply wasn't there in future shows with Branford. This show was about exploration. Jerry was on the mark. Arguably the farthest-out rendition of "Dark Star" of the later years. Probably the sexiest "Estimated Prophet" too. The entire band rose to the challenge, and then raised the bar. Bottom Line: Killer '90's Dead.

certainly one of the good shows of latter Dead period. Dark star & Eyes, they are fabolous. thanks to those has recorded & uploaded the show for our enjoyment.

If this is not considered one of the best latter period Dead shows ever played, then you don't truly understand the X FACTOR. From Bird Song on, every song played is the best of 1990 with the RFK Dark Star possibly being the exception. Please listen to Eyes thru Heaven's Door and tell me this isn't magic.

With all respect to the previous reviewer, 9/10/91 doesn't hold a candle to this show.

There is a reason Phil and Cutler don't release 9/10/91 as a show...its good but not there best work. The song list might be better on paper but the actual playing isn't superior.

Jerry is on fire fall 89 spring 90. Period.

Nothing more needs to be said. I love everyone in the band but when Jerry was off it really reflected on the whole show. Consequently when Jerry was on..........well ....he was the master.

God bless the boyz

a very good show. 9/10/91 is a better branford show in my opinion.

the eyes is a classic. the birdsong has some nice moments.

it's official some people don't have a clue. especially that boy who thinks friday was the hot night. first of all friday was the worst night of the three, text book! that show was played for the radio, period. Iko Iko, who cares? that was for the radio. big deal help>slip, so what. how many help>slips have you seen? Ive seen about 25. How many revolutions have you seen. 2 maybe 3? ! first night, I was there, first "weight" ever. first "high time" in 2 1/2 yrs. revoultion! come on. then you have branford the next night! when Jerry plays with new people he is happier than ever. he could play with rob zombie and have a blast.- this branford night was a new height for the dead, anyone who doesn't see that is..well an idiot or just clueless about the dead. oh yeah I forgot to mention one thing. BRANFORD DARK STAR!!!

Was at this show. Maybe it was the long ride from Jersey, or too much smoking, but I almost fell asleep. Didn't have the best time. But after listening to the tapes, I see it was pretty hot.But the next night 3/30/90 was the best of the 3. It rocked from start to finish.Listen to brent go ballistic on Slipknot! and you'll see what I mean.Had a great copy of it but lost it. It was broadcast live on WNEW. Pease where is 3/30/90.
WE WANT 3/30/90!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I try not to use that word too much, but the description certainly fits this show. Definitely
if one were to have only 5 shows, this is 1 of them. 5 Stars from start to finish..Lovelight
has me wanting to get up out of my desk to dance..Dark Star..and I'm not a big Dark Star fan..is incredible. Used to have tapes of this show (aud) that I played til they could play no more.

Get it!

Jim

the eyes is a classic, this is rock dead not jazz dead go to 73-74 for jazz dead

Somebody has to write something about this show on it's 15th anniversary. If you can only have 10 Dead shows, this is one of them...perhaps if you could only have 5 Dead shows, this is one of them. We all know the set list.

However good 12-31-90 and 09-10-91 are, neither show touches the magic of this show...

this is not country Dead, or rock Dead, this is Jazz Dead and in the case of Dark Star, this is pychadelic jazz...

i think its from "without a net".Needless to say,the EYES is legendary