Doing my level best to listen to shows later in the catalog.
Enjoyable show with two more to follow at this venue.
This is good with sweet sound and just enough audience to keep it exciting.
I think Weir was still emulating Dylan.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery
The key to Rooster here is Phil’s bass
In juxtaposition to the slide work.
Also dig Brent grabbing those vocals then slashing a keyboard solo.
While I prefer the faster version of FOTD still how cool was it getting this live.
It is extremely danceable and the climax well
I still think this would have made a great last ballad of the night song.
I guess Weir used it in the encore slot at a few of his shows.
I love Bobby but not so much covering Garcia tunes.
See if you follow this the tempo picks up
and it really is the ultimate tragedy song.

TheShakedown
TheDeal
TheTerrapinStation
Maybe it's just me: this is 5star for this era

Good show. Some mixed views about the general quality of sp89. It's known that 89-90 was Bobby's favorite time in the band. Does that mean it was the best quality, too? Perhaps. But there's no question that fa89 and sp90 were, musically, phenomenal. The modern deadhead sees sp89 as marking the first phase of this period of greatness from roughly 4/5/89 on. (http://moderndeadhead.blogspot.com/2010/12/grateful-dead-spring-1989.html) Rob Goetz sees sp89 as largely average, or, in his words, "remarkably average." Still, they're better, he says, than February '89. (http://www.thebestofwebsite.com/Bands/Grateful_Dead/Misc/RG_1989_Grateful_Dead_Stats.htm) At any rate, I think sp89 is good- this show, too- but no question it's not where the following tour would be and perhaps not where su88 was.

First set highlights mostly include the strong Shakedown opener and Deal closer. That's not to say that what falls in between isn't good. From the start, to me, they sound great, better than they have in years. I do think this tour marks the beginning of a sustained period of creativity, focus and drive, culminating in the master tour of sp90. Little Red Rooster is fun, definitely better with Brent singing a verse. But you'll note it's not quite as dark and gritty as late 89/90 versions. Here, Brent's still only "mess"ing with the henhouse. Interesting keys on FOTD. Fiddle-sounding? Next few songs showcase Built to Last. Victim is mellower than other versions I've heard. Song premiered 6/17/88, but I think they're still finding themselves in this and the other new tunes. By this point had only played Built to Last and We Can Run a handful of times. In other words, still evolving and growing with these.

Set two is an average 89 - which is to say very good - set. Bobby sounds a little nasally on the Samson opener and throughout. Not standout version of Crazy Fingers but always well-received. It's followed by PITB and Terrapin. Standing on the Moon post-space, like the others from BTL, is also still developing, nonetheless it's a new treat in the late-Jerry ballad slot. Standard 89 Throwing Stones->NFA to close it out. US Blues encore. Three stars- band sounds a little tepid.

I sang a little while and then flew on.

This is how I spent my 30th. Do the math. Arrg.

This was my first Grateful Dead show. At the time I was into bands like U2, the Clash, REM, the Cure, the Stray Cats and so on. I didn't really know of the Dead and went to the show only because a friend of mine had an extra ticket that he said had my name on it. Since we always had a great time together I went with him. We got into Rosemont Horizon minutes before the band took the stage. The lights had just gone down and the crowd was getting pumped up. We didn’t bother looking for our seats. We just went to the upper concourse and found a little place with some elbow room. I remember stopping and taking a deep breath when the lights came up, the crowd roared and the Dead took the stage. The band started tuning and feeling the crowd and I got my first sense of the excited gathering of Heads quivering with the anticipation of the concert. It was beautiful! I was so into drinking it all in when bam, Shakedown Street began and all this power was released. It was awesome and I was hooked! This was music. Real Music! I hadn’t ever heard or experienced anything like it! I don’t like rating things beyond either liking it or not. So saying, I loved this show and I am forever Grateful to my friend for giving me a ticket with my name on it. It was a great ride and this show was a great first stop on my trip with the Dead!

Hey jboyaquar, thanks for confirming the length of the tuning before not just the 1st but also the second set. Both are awesome and well worth the price of admission alone. Other highlights include the Shakedown, We can Run SOTM. Good sound, worth a listen (what 89 show isn't right J Boy?!). PEACE!

wow get this one ,if for nothing else but the Shakedown.This show has some really hot moments.

I just read that the shakedown opener was a bomb for the location, but I will explain that like New York and L.A. there are infamous streets and sections of streets in Chicago know for all sorts of wierd thinks happening in the not so distant past. I mean, Dillinger was finally killed there. Then there's Rush Street, and "if I could tell you about all that went down, it'd probally burn off both of your ears." As far as the show, not perfect but tons of fun as seems the case for 1989. My favorite year of all.

Overall: Good recording. After a couple of mediocre nights in the heartland, this picks things back up a little with some higher energy from the whole band (Brent had high energy back in Louisville, but he was kind of alone on that).

The scene: these were my first Chicago area shows. Things outside were cold and cloudy, and I don't remember there being much of a "lot scene" at these shows, but maybe it was just late in the tour and I was trying to stay away from any of the nonsense. The venue was pretty nice, with some spacious hallways for dancing. I don't remember much else really.

The music: great first set. A bit like the Pittsburg first night, but not quite as good as that. The jam after Crazy is too short for my taste (only about a minute). The Playing jam has some quality moments to it though. Everything else is good, but nothing too outstanding.

Crazy>Playin>Terrapin really made the 2nd set for me. I've always really liked 'We Can Run', and this is a great version, Brent sounds a lot younger than usual. I have liked to see something besides U.S. Blues for an encore, but overall, it was a grat show.

I peeked over the Horizon!

1st Set: After about 80 seconds of "Tuning" we're sent to shifty, "Shakedown." What a bomb to open up the three night stand at the Horizon in North Western suburbs of Chicago. Thrilling goosebumps and all. The opening few minutes are festive with a solid underpinning balancing the funk and rhythm. Mid-way through the thirteen minute version Jerry's head-bobbingly wah-wah'ing it. In the later stages it opens us to a quieter more synth spectral. Vocal reprise at 11:23. A slightly tepid but brooding "Rooster" follows. Guess what? "U ain't shit to" Brent. "FOTD" is also rather somber. My goodness, I did not feel as if the opening number hinted at any moody darkness, but the show's certainly taken a grim turn these past couple of numbers, and now "Victim." A solid version with the drummers pounding the imminent doom into our heads. If not thunderous, then everyone is at least listening to one another. Thoughtful. Actually not, cause they're throwing a "Built" our way. It's cleanly played even if Jerry's voice isn't top notch tonight. Well, since it appears to be a night of abject lessons...and new tunes (third in a row,)"We Can Run" but we certainly cannot hide... :( "Mobile Blues" is undeniably the right call. Steadily consistent but not over the top. Thank goodness for "Deal" instead of some blow-off 'Ease.' Once Jerry is unburdened by singing he picks up his game leading to an instigative rocker.

2nd Set: 213 seconds of "Tuning" strongly hint at a "Samson," and whaddya know? Although the action picks up half-way through it should have busted out of the gate with a stronger impact. "Crazy" hits home, a sad poignant reflection on the glorified days of a previous relationship. This version sounds mature and worthy. The high level of fluidity impresses all thoughout a nine minute "Playin." It smoothly segues into a lyrical gaffe prone but chill "Terrapin." Jerry is croaking but the band is doing a very fine job holding down the fort. the Rhythm Devils place their imprint on the show with a forceful "Drums" while "Space" contains many investigations into the unknown. Arena rock is in full mode with "Gimme." A direct "Standing" plea by Jerry touches my heart... oy oy oy. A measured, funkier than usual "Throwing" follows. Brent's color is unpredictable and welcome. Surging and excitable, but always held in control. "NFA" features Brent and Jer riffing nicely together. Never combustible but a reassuring one. The crowd chants fully for 90 seconds whereas it's divided between cheers and chants for the other 121 seconds before the boys are back on with...

I'd rather have something touching than twisting but the loose "US Blues" suffices.

3 1/4 stars

I remember this show vividly. The second set is awesome! the Crazy>Playin>Terrapin is sick! Being able to listen to the Matrix Mix with a little crowd mixed in is superb to get the vibe of the crowd at this show. The energy was high both in the crowd and onstage. IMHO, all three of these shows were probably the most solid run the Dead ever gave at the Rosemont(not considering the 12-6-81 Rosemont show). 88 was good, 93 & 94 were good, but these shows rocked hard. At the time I remember people were kind of bummed about all the new songs being played, as well as some of the 'stock' backstretches with Gimme Some Lovin, Throwin>NFA's, etc.. as well as the Fantasy>Jude (which reared it's head here on the last night). No complaints here! Boy, what I wouldn't give to go back and do it all again!

This is one of the best concerts I have recorded, and I have over 400. The instramentals may be a little week, but the vocals are right on. We Can Run, Standing On The Moon, and Throwing Stones are fantastic. The entire show is one all deadheads should have before it becomes a "for sales show'. I wish I could get my system to get the volumn generated at the show. But if I did, the police would show up.
A must show for every dead head.

Iwas at this three show run in chicago. i was 18 and having a blast. This is the night I had balcony seats, way back on Jerry's side flying solo as I made my way to my seat and discovered to my utter amazement...a giant stack of speakers right where my seats were to be. after scratching my head for a few a usher came by asking if I was to be sitting there and if so they had us "taken care of". Oh boy. Front row of the mezz. center stage. And to see my buddy down on the floor with his miracle I'll never forget this one. OH yeah, the show was great too. some excitement there. listen and enjoy

I saw most of this tour, although I missed this night...too bad. The boys were playing well at the time, and this show was no exception. Once again The Archive comes through!

Nice, well rounded song selection...nothing wowing, but solid renditions of Shakedown, Terrapin and Crazy Fingers. A nice Victim as well... Rippin' Deal.

I have only listened through earbuds...so take this with a slight grain of salt...but the sound seems very good, and the levels are good.