Just listened to the Let It Grow for the first time since being there. At the time, I was put off by "The Riff," (Da. Da. Da. Da. Da. Da-Da-Da-Da. ) but on relistening, it's a very strong version, with Jerry playing extremely well and not just relying on "The Riff." And it's Let It Grow. The clear highlight of the show, although Jerry's bluesy playing on the Smokestack>Spoonful medley and the jam out of He's Gone are pretty tasty. I never really liked the Dead to play blues, though, except for when Pigpen sang (which was waaaay before my time). Also, Watchtower to the end is extremely hot, with Wharf Rat involving exceptional Jerry wailage (that song was often performed pro forma during the later years).

Overall, the following night is better, but both are very short, leaving me wanting more. Stream the soundboard; the improvement in sound is notable.

Overall: not the best Matrix out there – as someone else mentioned it’s a little hissy on the high end. But it’s still good. The show continues the upswing started by the night before.

The scene: this was our final show of the tour (we’d done them all up to here). This was my third “full tour,” but the first with the Rochester family in the bus with me for the whole tour (and a couple of other vehicles in caravan for different parts of the tour as well). It was the best of times and the best of times (yes, you read that right). The only downside of the whole tour was Pittsburg (gate-crashers, cops, Chard’s hospital visit). I’d give my left nut to go back and live it all again. Especially Greensboro.

The music: Jack opens things nicely. Row’s mellow vibe is a little too early in the set as far as I’m concerned, but it’s played decently. I’ve never been a big “Cumberland” fan, but this one has some smoking play. The Let it Grow is also pretty nice. I absolutely love the Smokestack>Spoonful>Smokestack. That’s some good stuff. Check out Brent’s short high synth on the intro to He’s Gone – something a little different that I like. Did Bobby really do a “wheew!” before Watchtower? I hope there was something going on that actually warranted that, as opposed to Bobby just being cheesy Bobby.

1st Set: A fuzzy "Jack" opens up proceedings from the home of Wrestlemania 22. The band is rearing to unload a monster with this awfully fast booming rocker, but it's not climactically erupting into orgasm mode... bit too sloppy and overeager. "Row" is patient and endearing with Jerry providing some lovely sky-high notes...just wrap your arms around your beloved's tum-tum-tum-tum. A man should always know when he's bested...Meeting her true love was a knock in the head and heart but may prove to be wonderfully cathartic. He's my better in the looks and liberated department and to a degree far more overtly sexy. Ah well...there are plenty more women in the sea...even if I'm red from inner bruising. 'If you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with.' This "Minglewood" I dedicate to Guy (the dance is there, but not the wolfish primitive lust) the rightful man of the women I love...or hopefully soon, used to love... (Too bad I have to work for her...that's true devotion) I'm smellin a jaunt over to see what's up with "Jed." A jangly good time that never loses its way. Ahhh...can we afford two personal stories in oen review? Nahhh...gotta keep em coming back. Of course it relates to one of Dylan's most optimistically humane numbers, "Masterpiece" that has me smilin 'whisting Dixie...' Unremarkable but enjoyable "Cumberland" boogie. The set concludes with a Jerry anchoring a sharp, accurate "Let." "We're going to take a short break and be back in just a few momennts."

2nd Set: Warbly vocals accentuate an otherwise briskly paced "Touch." A forceful welcomes in an exciting, tight "Truckin." Most versions these days are too content as if the crowd would automatically thrilled that the Dead are pulling this nugget from 'American Beuaty.' However, the overt kicking backbeat the drummers are contributing elevates. A straight-forward outro jam smoothly segues into "Smokestack." Jerry rips into a lip-smattering solo that surprisingly turns songs...now we're talkin about a "Spoonful." Tilt that head down and bob it for the jam...back into a 37 second verbal "Smokestack." Oh my, "He's Gone" is totally the right call... typical repeating cyclical performance but easy for us all to chant along. Of course I'm diggin the vocal exchanges between Jerry and the two B's (not U Kreutz) but wish Jerry could really lay it on the line. The last four minutes are a murmur of a jam...body movements focusing on ever so low places (stomach down through groin to knees) "Drums" time. Mickey's already at his xylophones...got a fun rhythm cooking up, kinda like Neil's 'Rhythm Method.' It's quiet but a tad eerie in its distance. "Space" is equally as creepy in its remoteness. Brent's ballad is given the standard tender treatment before Bobby kicks it into rockstar mode 'Whooo' (:41) within the "Watchtower." The performance is fine but sounds too timid. Now here's a man that needs some love...good ol' August. After the keen harmonizing, "Wharf" is attacked with an envious frenzy. Why do most versions kinda peter out leading to the set-closer? Tonight it's "Lovelite," a bit of which I could currently use. Bobby's timing and superfluous rapping, like usual, is impeccable...but how much of that pain does he sincerely feel? Very solid with keen backup by Jer and Brent.

Still feeling lost or alone...travel to "Black Muddy" with Jer. He's wavering, but in the moment.

3 2/5th stars

Great run of shows in the Chicagoland area. The venue had speakers in the hallways and security was pretty cool about it.This night was very laid back.I watched the show from behind the stage way up on Phil's side with my friend Peter Baldukas(RIP)Nobody else was up behind the stage.Before the show Phil was sitting in a chair backstage by himself enjoying a fatty. We liked the sound up there.Watching the Rhythm devil's was a spectacle.3 for quality 4 for performance. On our way to a rainy day in Milwaukee!

A little hissy on the high end, but that is to be expected from a Cassette source. Although the second set isn't hugely to my liking in terms of song choice, this show was the perfect meat between the 11th and 13th bread for the Good Ol' Hosemont three night sandwich. Even though I always cursed it and hated the Rosemont, I'd be ecstatic to go back and do it all again.

3 for sound, 4 for performance. Overall a 3+
Thanks Jerry, Brent, Bob, Phil, Mick, and Billy. Most appreciated.

The best thing here is that everyday I can turn on my puter and see what the boys are doin different today (well at least almost everyday of the year for the last forty!) And some days they r on and others they r not. Like the days of touring only alot less bail money and grilled cheese is required. This show? sounds good so far though its only in my stream right now. i may just put it to down load.

Although no post 1981 show does it for me like the Alpine Valley Music Theater run from 7/17/89-7/19/89, this show trails close behind it. I'm glad to have found this one on the archives. Thanks to all who were part of getting it here.

From the first notes of Jack Straw, the boys are on...the magic is happening. And it lasts the whole show! This is how live dead should sound...clear and crisp sound, with the perfect amount of audience noise for the live feeling...you really feel like you're there with this download. Get it now! Thanks!

I was 2nd row for this one right between Jerry and Brent. Took a camera that I had borrowed from a friend and had a telescopic lens from the 2nd row. Jerry and Bobby were trading lyrics on a song and every time I would get Jerry in focus and still he would step away from the mic. After the third time of this I had to look pissed that I was missing the shot and look up and Jerry is laughing at me. What a great feeling that was to see the man notice me, thanks for the memories!!

Show is super, symbolic of the 1989 shows. Brent was on, and the band was too. Almost every song at every venue during the 1989 tour is worth having. This is one of the top 10. They were on
this night. And I love to crank up the volumne.

Let It Grow smokes..rest is pretty average, but a decent show overall. gotta love He's Gone too.

I heard about Abbie Hoffman's death during this show.
The GD played He's Gone.
The show also seemed like a look back to the 60's with the Pigpen tunes.
Fitting.

At only 16, I had to borrow mom's station wagon to go, and my life would be changed forever. We thought we had to have tickets to get into the parking lot, so we went ahead and bought some. Came for the drugs, stayed for the music! I was young, but old enough to realize that something special was happening at these events. I think this was a good one to see for a first show, even if I only recognized 3 or 4 songs. The bus came by, and I got on....

where's the love? this sounds great, has some very well played standards for the year. not much for jamming except for a decent let it grow-almost "allmansish" at a couple spots. loses a star for brevity though, not even two full discs.