Fare the well 1990, on to 1991.

I did most of the year end runs in the 80's. This was the last NYE run I did. Branford Band opening & playing in the set + Hamaz El Din. I enjoyed the heck out of this one with a big crew near the front, & center.

there!
meltdown

Here is a very solid argument for a superb sounding show from the Dead during the much hated 1980-90's era. Even with Jerry's blown vocals, everything about this night raves excessive cheers for a very enjoyable set, a great performance, an excellent recording and a touch of the audience as well.
So, come on. Stop your ragging on the shows that don't play mostly 70's classics and seriously check out how talented the band had become from playing their asses off for so many shows over so many years. Everybody seems to be having a blast!
Great everything (*****)!

This will make my work day feel like a day off.
PS I hope my Boss does not see this.,

Bruce Hornsby, Branford Marsalis, jamming on the good stuff. Need I say more? One of a trifecta of 1990 shows that had solid first sets followed by spectacular second sets featuring full-length Dark Stars, along with 3-29-90 and 7-12-90. 10-9-89 perhaps is in this category, but the Dark Star is not as good as the others. This is a tasty-sounding board.

SAD - BUT GREAT SHOW !!!

((((((((((((((BRENT))))))))))))))))

Everything is great, save for old Jer's voice, but listen how he uses it on Wharf Rat...just stunning.

the second set looks pretty fucking good, shouldve played a music never stopped to utilize their jamming with branford but eyes is always a gem. 4 stars only cause i cant give anything past '79 five stars

This is one of those shows that made it all come together for me. I was on tour since the cal expo shows and got to witness alot of great music. Usually the third night of a New Year run was when the boys were clicking and that show was no exception. 12/31/90 was a magical one!! I always thought that Phils sound was more defined at an outdoor show. This show shattered my theory, so it has to be the mixing board. The first set was definatly a warmup for what was to come. Unlike the year before where they blew there wad with Bonny Rait in the first set, only to be let down in the second set. This one is all about the five song second set where they open up with NFA. Check when was the last time they did that! After playing Eyes from the Nassau show to death, I had a lot of expectations for my favorite song. At first I said, "where is the Branford solo".ranford made his presence completly different from that famous Nassau show. Hamza El Din durring the drums,with the talking drum really brought out the tribal in you. After getting through one of the best Other Ones ever, I said to myself, "this show has been perfect. All that they can do now is Morning Dew, and it will be complete". Warf Rat was when it all came together for me. That was Jerry saying, "reflect the year but MOVE ON"! My buddy Lobster is right when he said Jerry's voice was shot. But you can't take away the mood that was to be the greatest show I had ever been to.

My dick! I can feel my dick! Oh god and its hungry! For Dark Star!

Wow what a night the bungi jumpers blowing fire was sick and the big ass ticket stub to remember it by.First show with Brantford wow he should of been part of the band.Now this show was sick and yes i miss brent but i only saw 2 shows with him out of the 105 i saw. The Dead in the nineties was my experience and let me tell you i would not of seen so many shows if they were not magical and this one is 4 sure. The next morning i woke up in lake tahoe what abuzz.Right Sammy. B

Yeah, normally I also deduct a point when Jerry's voice is as bad as it is tonight. It does put a damper on some of the songs, but the boys make up for it in so many ways.

Man, the more shows I hear with Branford, the more I think that he should have been a permanent member. He really breathed life into the band. Same could be said for Hornsby, who was permanent, but only for a year and a half. Both of them really fill out the band.

Awesome Bird Song (agree with drflashback - which is better - this or 3/29/90? too close to tell), nice Dark Star, and the Weight is pulled off quite nicely. Energy level is through the roof all night!

4.5 stars...rounded up to 5

Dr. Flashback. It was probably Nassau that was your favorite Bird Song 'cause I really was into Branford myself and thats my fav. This show has always been my fav. New Years show and it's a pleasure to be able to just pull it up like this. My fav. Row Jimmy and I love the Dark Star.

I would usually take points off for a night when jerry's voice is shot( especially in set 2) , but the overall performance from this band the entire night is genius. Top notch throughout. Love the "daily double" encore. Also, my personal fav version of wang dang doodle. We all know Jer went overboard on the horn sounds early on but this time it works. Fantastic rendition

I have an MP3 version of this from you-know-who. It's at 160K and the sound is quite amazing - even for an SHN freak like myself. Also, the Branford set and the Bruce Hornsby songs are worth getting.
There are New Year's shows, and then there are the ones when the Fates declare that magic and musical miracles shall occur. Tonight is such a show. I have to put this one on the same shelf as 12/31/72, 12/31/78 and 12/31/80. Rarely by 1990 do the Dead succeed in rocking this hard, and also explore the bounds of outer space in the same show. Combine the natural inspiration of NY Eve, with the presence of Branford, plus the pinch-hitter keyboards of Bruce Hornsby - and you've got a recipe for a masterpiece.
I could talk about this show for days - but I'll only mention the highlights.
Jack-a-Roe - wow, energetic, almost bluegrass/Cumberland in the version here. Sweet.
Wang Dang Doodle - how much fun can they have with this one? Bobby is convincing, Hornsby is sparkling, Jerry is in his glory. If you're not dancing foolishly by now - you're brain dead.
Bird Song - 14 minutes long, and Branford sounds like he's been playing with them since 1969. Forget all the 1973 versions. This is Bird Song for the ages. The jamming is unique and wonderful.
Maybe even better than the 3/29/90 one - also with Branford. Don't ask me to decide now, I'm too baked.
Set Two does what the second set is meant to do, when the night is right and the muse is smiling - take you to another planet altogether. The playing is intensely expressive, and the interplay between the band is complex and innovative. They reach the ZONE, manage to stay there without overindulging or losing focus.
NFA - is gospel-like and powerful. Jerry laying down testifying, scorching hot leads and Hornsby pounding the 88.
Eyes - after bringing down the house on 3/29/90 with Branford on sax, they had to do it again of course. Having the sax puts Jerry more in JGB mode - he doesn't have to solo all the time. He can relax and just have fun. Branford's playing here is pure sunshine, and when Jerry does take off, it's so tastefully woven into the texture you almost don't notice. Pure Jam Heaven.
Dark Star - hard to believe I'm comparing a 1990 Dark Star with 1972 or 73. But I am. At 11 minutes, this one is a study in miniature. But a real gem. They start the Other One theme halfway thru, then dissolve into free form, with Branford sailing above the fray.
The Other One hits like a thunderstorm and never lets up, complete with chimpmunk vocals and lightning leads from Garcia, and Phil and Hornsby keeping the pulse going. The Weight is icing on the cake!!! A stellar show and one to pull out on your NYE party.
cheers,
Dr. Flashback :-)

I am downloading this fine show right now- the SBD is still available! I agree, nice EYES with Branford. Nugets has the ENTIRE concert - Branford Marsalis and the X Men's opening set, Ken Nordine Rap, weird countdown description, and both dead Sets. Get it while you can.

Sound, top notch, performance, top notch, vocals, eh...But what do you want after 83 shows, 17 states, six countries and the death of a band member?


Killer show. DL it before it disappears. There are some stellar shows that have vanished lately. No need to blast me, I fully support the boys in all of their commerical endeavors. They have to feed the best, for sure. Now get this show!

This show has some amazing moments. Check out Jerry's counting off B-Song. There's noddleing and then, bam, is Jerry's opening, as forceful as I've ever heard it. Its not much to the uninitiated, but to y'all looking for a micro-trip, check it out. There magic moments are legion in this show. They were at the top of their 90's game here.

I remember listening to an XL-2S90 of this that I taped off of WNEW the night after a debaucherous high school NYE party. I wore it out. After school, I would pop it in my Walkman, take a pack of smokes to the park and watch the polluted New Jersey sky fill with color as I drifted away, awash in the colors of the Grateful Dead. I hope everyone has the opportunity to disappear in their own head the way that this show allows you to.

Enjoy it. And Thanks, again and again for those who make this possible.

Check out the "Eyes"
FYI: the branford opener is at gdlive.com in the Misc. shn section.

Great show.

Yes, the opening is amazing with Marsalis. It used to be posted through sugarmegs. Does anyone know where I might be able to find it? So good..

my first show--I went in late with a friend and found pretty bad seats. fortunately I found my way down to Jerryside in time for the 'bus' to come by.
I only wish that I'd caught them earlier...

This is my other top 3 Eyes of the World from 1990 (along with 3/29 and 6/10).

This show killed some brain cells (not that I had any left by this point anyway).

PS- The Branford set was almost as good as the Dead like the others said.

This was one of the best shows I saw with the boyz. It was a sad year losing Brent, but Bruce and Branford sure filled it in nice!!! I would have been happy to go home after the Branford set... :-) Kevin Eubanks ROCKS!!! This was my last New Years show... could not hang with Vince. I'm sure he's a nice guy and all, but... Thanks to whoever taped this on the reel. A must have for sure

Wow this is a great show. The sound quality is superb but i have a better copy. This is my fav Wang Dang Doodle, The Weight & Eyes. The show is highlighted by Branford Marsalis. Anyone looking for a good show to download this one is definately worth it. This is a smokin hot show. ENJOY.
PEACE

The sound quality of this show is beyond crisp....and not to mention the outstanding performance of the band. This show is highlighted by Branford Marsalis not only opening the show (w/Kevin Eubanks on guitar) but playing with the GD for the 2nd time. The murmur in line was we were guaranteed another "Dark Star" like the year before...and were they right. We even got a 2nd verse this year. As good as this show was, for me it culminated the mourning period of Brent Mydland. The GD played some legendary shows between Brent's death and this show (9/19-20/90, The European Tour) but even with the two keyboard players, the fire that Brent brought to the band was slowly disolving. A more folksier sound was entering the music while the Blues edge that Brent brought was leaving. For me, the band was never the same although I kept attending shows. Download this and enjoy what was a great night of music.

Bird song is incandescent with Branford Marsalis and very hot promised land.

Nice find Phil sounds like Flea thumb popping on Not Fade Away, then a hot Branford open to Eyes and a sweet, ethereal Dark Star-This is worth definately hearing and a new favorite...

A show like this reviewed by three of us?? Want the really hot shows with Hamza al Din to boot? Just got to poke around...

Just cannot believe again no one else has listened to this it's so hot...

Im suprised not many reviews. Everyone is talking about shows with SUPURB Sound Quality.....Well..Here IT is. The mix is great.

Good show. Nice party in the parking lot. Was there for New Year's shows 88-91.

KPFA in Berkeley broadcasted this show and people had huge speakers all over the lot blasting the show. Good fun. Good stuff. So sad to see this ritual de lo habitual end.