Road Trips Volume 2 Number 1
Shows
Madison Square Garden - September 14, 1990
Madison Square Garden - September 15, 1990
Madison Square Garden - September 16, 1990
Madison Square Garden - September 18, 1990
Madison Square Garden - September 19, 1990
Madison Square Garden - September 20, 1990
More Road Trips
Madison Square Garden: September '90
2 Disc Set + Bonus Disc
To kick off Volume 2 of our Road Trips series, we're making our first foray into the '90s-specifically, the extraordinary Madison Square Garden run from September of 1990!
You'll recall the unusual historical circumstances surrounding this famous series of shows: In July, Brent Mydland had died tragically after a glorious 11-year stint as the Dead's keyboardist. With both the band and Dead Heads in shock, a few planned summer shows were cancelled, and it looked as though the group's long-scheduled tour of Europe might be in jeopardy, as well. But then, two things happened: friend and fellow traveler Bruce Hornsby, already well-versed in the band's music, volunteered to venture into the breach temporarily once his summer tour was over; next, the group settled on former Tubes keys man Vince Welnick to step into Brent's big shoes on a permanent basis. Fortunately, he was a quick study! By early September, Vince had played his first shows with the Dead (in Cleveland and Philadelphia), and then the band moved on to Madison Square Garden -- always one of the most magical places the group played-- for a series of six shows spanning September 14-20, before jetting off for the big European tour.
Bruce joined the band beginning with the second concert in that series, and immediately the chemistry of this new septet was apparent. Bruce was a bold and assertive player who really pushed the band--and particularly Garcia--in some fascinating new directions, and the combination of his grand piano and Vince's electronic keyboard textures made for a big and dynamic sound. There were smiles all around as the new unit found its footing and with surprising confidence ushered in a new era of Grateful Dead music before roaring New York crowds!
Back in 1997, our late, great vaultmaster Dick Latvala pegged the September 16, 1990 Garden show to be Dick's Picks Vol. 9, but many fans of the run have long believed that the hottest shows from MSG that year were actually the two concluding concerts, September 19 and 20. So, for this Road Trips we offer some two-and-a-half hours of high energy rock 'n' roll and intense jamming from the second sets of 9/19-20 (as well as the moving "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" encore from 9/18). Included are spacey and beautifully developed journeys through "Dark Star" and "Playing in the Band"; a rare second set "Let It Grow" that rolls into a fantastic improvisation that really shows off the chops of the "new" band; a rousing "Uncle John's Band"; rockin' tunes like "Truckin'" and "Turn on Your Lovelight," and more. The spirit and life on these tracks is amazing! You can find the entire track listing below. As always, the discs have been expertly mastered to HDCD by our own Jeffrey Norman, and the package includes a 16-page booklet with lots o' groovy pix and an essay about the shows by Dan Levy.
OK, by now you probably know the drill: Order your copy today by going here!
Track List
Disc One - 9/20/90 and 9/19/90
Truckin'>
China Cat Sunflower>
I Know You Rider
Playing In The Band>
Ship of Fools>
Playing In The Band>
Uncle John's Band>
Let It Grow>
Jam>
Disc Two - 9/20/90
…Jam>
Dark Star>
Playing In The Band>
Dark Star>
Throwing Stones>
Touch Of Grey
Turn On Your Lovelight
Knockin' On Heaven's Door (encore 9/18/90)
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Comments
Good Times Hey Ry-NOOOO,
Good Times
Hey Ry-NOOOO, it's obvious you guys are doing everything in your power to stop internet downloading of soundboard grateful dead shows, in the non-commercial release variety may I inform you, so in my surely unwanted but extremely humble opinion, to me, the least you could do is release full shows(Like the complete winterland recordings, now how sweet was that), enough of this road trips bullshit. Who cares about if the band was'nt "perfect" on one particular night, or the sound was'nt as good, or whatever else you can come up with. Speaking for the true fans out there, we don't care!!! The mistakes, the flubs, the differences in sound are just something that make that show unique. The thing I love most about the dead was their willingness just to put it out there, just how it was. Remember, the band in the first place allowed taping and trading, why can't we trade via the net. It's just an improvement in technology. So if you can't handle that, please just give us the full shows. I would gladly pay for em. The only reason I download of off trading sites is to get the full shows, regaurdless of the sound, the set list, the weather, the mistakes, the forgotten lyrics, etc., etc, etc. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!!!!
Excuse me, did I read that right?
"stupid Pigpen and Keith/Donna era"...yeah, I guess I did.
Hmm.
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I have a sigfile! --> www.kindveggieburritos.com
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MSG '90
I heard "Estimated Prophet" on the radio tonight, and it was pretty good. I haven't heard these shows before, so I'm excited to pick this up.
Less Than Thrilled
Well, this was a surprise.
It's always been a fantasy of mine that someday the entire MSG '90 run would come out in a boxed set. I would have gladly paid money for that. I was lucky enough to be there for all six shows, and to this day I'm amazed at the power in those performances.
Instead, we have this "Road Trips" nonsense that bastardizes two shows together for some reason that escapes me. Clearly, the powers that be at Rhino couldn't find their asses with both hands. This release, combined with the DP from the third night almost all but insures we'll never see the scorching S/F fire from the first night, or perhaps the best Crazy Fingers *ever* from the second night. Not "professionally released", anyway.
meh.
It's a real shame, as far as I'm concerned.
Still, as I sit here listening to the Internet feed, it *does* sound good, if slightly and oddly remixed. (Is it 'pitchy', or is it me ?) I suppose I'll get it, but I'll be damned if I'm paying $10 to get it here.
unfortunate
man what a bummer whatya throw darts in the vault an release whatever ya hit ya got a bad shot here man
bonus disc
I agree with the post that suggested the whole bonus disc idea be dropped - just make the collections three disc sets. If money is tight for some people, and they want to wait to get the set, why should they have to lose out on great music? The whole idea appears to be simply a way to force the consumers hand - 'you better lay down your money now, our you will lose out'.
All and all, I am thrilled that Rhino is releasing stuff on a quite regular basis - even if I would prefer some complete shows, I am happy to get whatever comes out ... but the bonus disc ploy has gotten old and should be ditched. In fact, simply for that reason, I may - if my will be strong enough - skip this release. The whole bonus disc thing just seems to reinforce the growing division between the music and the head as one between product and consumer ... this ain't the way it should be man! I understand the need to pay for the music - the people putting it out need to be supported and I am glad to do it. But the bonus disc thing just seems to go too far in commercializing the special relationship between the fans and the music. Just my 2 cents ...
groovy!
i am excited for this! i am looking forward to the mail now-- i may not be getting love letters or checks, but i AM getting some GOGD!
also, i see that if you go to the features menu and select release info there are complete shows to download-- what i saw appear to be some complete shows which are the basis for the road trips... and they are only ten smacks... it may not be complete access and total satisfaction, but there's something out there for those wanting complete shows.
as for dvds-- i bought a dvd player so i could watch the dvd of the egypt set. i would indeed like to use my dvd player again! good idea!
i am enjoying my listening party this very cold and snowy morning- yummy coffee and yummy tunes. life is fine!
caroline
Rhino please don't stop.
I haven't wasted a dime of my money on all this Rhino stuff that I have had in perfect quality for years. Oh but Rhino, please don't stop. I get hours of great entertainment reading all of the gripes, compliments, complaints and thank yous. It really takes me back to the lot 20 minutes after a show. Dead family, we are still alive!!
Yes markinthedark
I read that comment as well, and grinned quietly to myself. It takes me back to the knockdown-dragout arguments on the 'old site' about who was the best keyboard player with the Dead. The Pig vs. Tom vs. Keith vs. Brent vs. Bruce vs. Vince debate displayed alot of passionate discord.
But I think (as cosmic badger said previously on another threat) that much of that bias runs to who was on keys when each person first saw the GD live or when they first 'got it'. Isn't this really like trying to identify who is my best brother? Or the greatest impressionist painter? Or best friend? Each person and their works are often so different and unique. It goes back so much to all those elusive and personal leanings. And maybe how each one compliments/accetuates all the other parts as well as what was going on in our lives/world at that time?
I say Rhino 'give me MORE Pig & Tom & Keith & Brent & Bruce & Vince'. Again, I am a 'complete show' guy but I strongly echo my hero ccjoe "DVD's PLEASE" to take us back with the visuals as well as the auditory delights. I would love to add to my collection with a tasty offering of any of those treats from the 'store with empty shelves';o{.
Stock up and offer what the heads want, it WILL payoff, Rhino!
The Truth is realized in an instant, the act is practiced step by step.
"the Store with Empty Shelves" heh heh
Saw that post, didja? I was probably overly harsh there, this week was brutal at work. (but hell, the dead store could buy that book in bulk from Amazon, restock their shelves and still make a buck a book!)
I listened to Beauty and Wake in high school (late 70's) but was more of a prog rock guy until the late 80's. Dylan/Dead in Philly was my first show so I think a lot of people would throw me in the looked-down-upon "didn't get on the Bus 'til "In the Dark"" crowd. I didn't get to hear any of the older stuff until a friend of my started getting Dick's Picks, and the Golden Road box set years later. At that point the hook was firmly set. I can't really pick a favorite keyboardist/piano player or era, some times I feel like a Brent show, sometimes a Vince show, wanna hear a Pig rap etc. I haven't figured out why some people dislike Donna Jean so much, I think she's awesome. GOGD should always have kept a woman in the lineup. Phil & Friends rocked with Joan Osborne (haven't heard her during her tenure with "The Dead"), and she includes a Dead song or two in her current tour.
Maybe since Donna Jean is active musically, touring w/the Tricksters and all she'll show up at Bonnaroo to play with the Boys this spring - if my vision of them being the headliners comes true, that is ;^)
The MSG '90 run would've been good for a box set, though, unless there were technical issues we don't know about. Hornsby's great Grate.
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I have a sigfile! --> www.kindveggieburritos.com
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