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Grateful Dead: Spring 1990

Grateful Dead / Wea
Every Deadhead has favorite pockets of shows—for those who jumped on the bus early, that might be any run between 1970-72, or the fabled Spring of ‘77. For latecomers (i.e., those who signed on after “Touch of Grey” in 1987) or career ‘heads, the spring of 1990 looms large. The GD archivists have sought to address the latter group in a big way with this massive boxed set: six complete shows on 18 discs, housed in an enormous box (three inches thick) filled with all sorts of goodies including a tour program, hardcover book, ticket stubs, promo photo, backstage passes and more—all selling for $200. It’s a stunning addition to the Grateful Dead shelf, but what of the music? That, of course, depends on how one feels about the Dead at this stage to begin with. Brent Mydland, the band’s keyboardist at the time, had been with the band for some 11 years but would be dead in July, so these shows—from the East Coast, Canada and the South—mark some of his parting moments. That the band is playing well (although they are, at times, a bit uninspired) is never in question, so picking highlights is an exercise in futility, as every listener will likely choose another (Hartford first set and the “Hey Jude> Dear Mr. Fantasy” jam from Ontario are good starting points). Whether listened to in a marathon session or sipped casually like wine, there’s plenty to grab onto here. With Jerry Garcia in relatively good shape at the time vocally and playing-wise, this may very well have been, as many believe, the last great tour. For those who are wary of shelling out the big bucks, a two-CD distillation is also available.
Relix A/V
Beth Hart "Baddest Blues"
Beth Hart shares the opening track from her latest album, Bang Bang Boom Boom, live at Relix.
Jamie Lidell "A Little Bit More"
Jamie Lidell sets up in the Relix boiler room and delivers a tune from his 2005 album Multiply
King Lincoln "Coffee"
Duane Trucks is happy to announce his new project, King Lincoln. Watch them perform “Coffee” live and acoustic at Relix’s Online-Video Coordinator’s loft in Williamsburg.
Crystal Bowersox "Dead Weight"
Here’s another song from Crystal Bowersox’s new record All That For This, live at Relix.
Goodnight, Texas "The Railroad"
Goodnight, Texas share a song from their latest studio album, A Long Life of Living, live at Relix.
Warren Haynes "Railroad Boy"
Warren Haynes performs a solo, acoustic version of “Railroad Boy” and explains how he adapted the traditional Celtic song for Gov’t Mule, backstage at the Hangout Music Festival.
Alpine "Hands"
Australia’s Alpine recently made their NYC debut at the Relix office with this song from their new album A is for Alpine.
Brendan Bayliss and Jake Cinninger "The Pequod"
In honor of Umphrey’s McGee’s return to Summer Camp this weekend, we present the group’s Brendan Bayliss and Jake Cinninger performing this version of “The Pequod” from UM’s Anchor Drops.
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Comments
There are 2 comments associated with this post
Davey K October 5, 2012, 09:03:14
Brent fan October 6, 2012, 12:35:17