Search - Grateful Dead :: Formerly the Warlocks Box: October 8 & 9, 1989 (6 CD Set)

Roll Away The Dew for Dark Star and Attics Of My Life

Dark Star-The Other One | The Bus To Never Ever Land | 09/17/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Dead's Fall 1989 Tour began with a couple of surprise shows at Hampton Coliseum in Virginia. The Dead hadrecently brought back We bid You Goodnight in July while Death Don't Have No Mercy followed in September. Jerry had done an interview with Relix around this time talking about reviving songs for the band's 25th Anniversary with both a new studio album and a live album in the works.



10-8-89:

The first show opens with a nice version of Foolish Heart before giving way to Walkin' Blues. Candyman is nice and was a bit rare at the time being played only every once in a while by this time. Me And My Uncle->Big River, Stagger Lee, Queen Jane, Bird Song->Promised Land are all great but had a lot wondering where the "surprise" was in these surprise shows. The second set opened with the first Help On The Way/Slipknot since 1985 and is quite well performed. Next up, a strong Victim Or The Crime gives way to a strong Eyes Of The World. The Drums->Space segment is really good as the following I Need A Miracle->The Wheel->Gimmie Some Lovin'->Morning Dew. And We Bid You Goodnight ends the show on a great note.



10-9-89:

The second night's show opens with a Feel Like A Stranger that most will know as being the one from Without a Net: Live. The new album title track Built To Last is played quite well as is the following Little Red Rooster. Ramble On Rose is a joy to behold. We Can Run is better than some while Jack A Roe is hot. Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again is it's usual fun self. The set ending Row Jimmy->The Music Never Stopped is very well played. The second set opens with a hot Playing In The Band before giving way to Uncle John's Band which goes back into Playing In The Band. At this point, one would expect something like Terrapin Station but the first few notes make that a long gone memory. The first Dark Star in five years is quite amazing, to put it simply. This isn't a trivial Star but a monster with a nice full jam. The Drums->Space->Death Don't Have No Mercy is quite impressive. I actually find the rest of the second set to be good but unimpressive. The encore is a different matter as the first live Attics OF My Life since 9-27-72 Dick's Picks, Vol. 11: Stanley Theatre, Jersey City, NJ, 9/27/72."

Over Priced on Amazon

James B. Hafner | Minneapolis, MN USA | 09/26/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This package is over-priced on Amazon by over $75!!



The recordings are excellent and the performance of the band is top-notch for 1989.



If you appreciate a very good live Grateful Dead performance, you will want to add this box set to your collection.



Just don't pay more than $75(USD) for it. Check [...] before buying here. The box DOES NOT include any "bonus" cuts. Even $75 is too high a price!



While the quality of the recording earns 5 stars, the excessive price takes it down a notch to 4 stars.



Best Wishes"

Folks, don't buy this here...

Shaun Navis | Milwaukee, WI | 09/25/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"... Not unless the Dead themselves make it available here at some point. These stealthy shows (due to having been banned from Hampton after the previous year) are two of the greatest shows the GD ever played, certainly two of the very best latter-day shows (especially true of the magical 10/9 show), but you can order this at the Dead's own site for HALF the price currently showing here. Spend $140 to buy from a 3rd party dealer, or buy directly from GD Merchandising for $70. Up to you!



Even $70 seems excessive for six CDs, but it's probably worth it given the quality of the shows, the incredible sound quality (beyond even the fine bootlegs that have circulated from the start), and the nifty packaging. Just save yourself another $70 and buy it direct from the band."