As we close out March and begin April, we have some tasty selections from the latter part of the Brent Mydland era of the Grateful Dead, specifically from 1988 and 1990.

Our first selection this week is an entire first set from the Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford, NJ, on 3/31/88, consisting of Hell In A Bucket>Sugaree, Me And My Uncle>Mexicali Blues, Brown-Eyed Women, When I Paint My Masterpiece, Ramble On Rose, Let It Grow. This was the middle night of a three night run at the Meadowlands, each of which featured some outstanding moments. The tour overall was a very good one, with those stellar nights in Hampton preceding this run in New Jersey.

Next up, from two years later and also from the greater New York area, at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, NY on 3/30/90, we have the second set opening jam of Iko Iko, Playing In The Band>China Doll>Uncle John’s Band>Terrapin Station, a very rare Garcia trio of tunes. This run at Nassau is more famous for its second night (the Branford Marsalis show on 3/29/90), but 3/28 and 3/30 also had some great music, and were recorded to multi-track tape as was the whole tour.

From the next run of shows, at the Omni in Atlanta, GA, on 4/1/90, we have the show closing jam of Dear Mr. Fantasy>Hey Jude>Truckin'>Stella Blue>Sugar Magnolia. I think this run is outstanding, and is often overlooked because of the incredible music played at other stops on the tour (Cap Center, Hamilton, Albany and Nassau come to mind), but there was plenty of great music played at these three shows in Atlanta.

Finally this week, also from the Atlanta run on 4/2/90, we have the closing sequence of The Other One>Death Don't Have No Mercy>Around and Around>Good Lovin', Black Muddy River. This is the final live Grateful Dead version of Death Don’t Have No Mercy, ending a short run of four post-1970 performances (three in 1989 and this one). I’m telling you, these Atlanta shows are hot!

Be sure to check back next Monday for music from 1972 and 1982. Great stuff coming up.

David Lemieux
vault@dead.net