This week we're going spend some time along the Grateful Dead's summer tour of 1989, checking in to four shows over a five night span in the middle of the tour.

Our first stop this week is the stunning concert on 7/7/89 at Philadelphia's ultra cool, and rather decrepit, old venue, JFK Stadium. Allow me to preface this week's music by saying that I sure do hope we see a DVD release of this show some day, as not only is there stellar multi-track audio of this concert, but there is also great quality multi-camera video similar to that of the Truckin' Up To Buffalo DVD. From 7/7/89, we're very happy to bring you the end of the first set, Loser, Let It Grow, Blow Away. All three songs here are played beautifully, and powerfully.

Next up is two nights later, on 7/9/89 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, home of the world champion New York Giants football team. Yo, Tiki, how's the broadcast booth look now? From the opening night of the two night run at Giants Stadium, with have the excellent Shakedown Street>Jack Straw. I've always loved both of these renditions and have put this combination on many mixed tapes. The band showed up to these two New York area shows ready to play, as evidenced by the way they opened the shows.

And, while we're visiting Giants Stadium, we'll listen to the opener from the second show, 7/10/89. Not quite as strong as our previous selection(s), it is nonetheless excellent and is demonstrative of the consistent quality of 1989 Dead. From that show, Feel Like A Stranger>Franklin's Tower.

Lastly this week, we'll check in to the first night at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. on 7/12/89. The closing sequence of this show was typical of the era in terms of both song selection and performance quality, and features I Need A Miracle>Dear Mr. Fantasy>Black Peter>Lovelight.

Stop by next week for more great music, including the other great Lovelight we mentioned last week. See you then.

David Lemieux
vault@dead.net