Witchita's November 2, 2012 review is great. The roof lifted off for me with I Know You Rider. Bobby singing, "March winds will blow all my troubles away" was the foreshadowing for the next line, being in Denver, it lifted the roof, "I'd shine my light through cool Colorado rain."

Bruce was great during the show. So much positivity.

Thanks for the recording and archive.org. Seems like I had a DAT with better quality, but SHN on this amazing archive is excellent. Thanks again.

BIG FAT CAR coming through! The energy and the lot were insanely good fun.

Looking back, I am so amazed that I was lucky enough for this to be my very first Grateful Dead show! This show ROCKED!!! It was just one incredible song after another, and the energy in McNichol's Arena that night was high, magical, electric. And a Dark Star, to boot!! WOOHOO! I walked out of this show on a cloud that I didn't come down from for a week. Seriously. Thank you, God!!!

1990 was a great year musically despite the huge tragedy of Brent's untimely passing. Late 1990 was no different. While the addition of Vince was quite a departure of quality on the keys, the installation of Bruce Hornsby seemed to goose the band a bit - especially Jerry.

I had been on tour since Spring 1989 and had seen 70+ shows by this point so the fact that I was there has little to do with my perception of how great this show was. I had already seen many great nites and some that were much less so. Was this the best show of 1990, nope. It IS however in the basket of very special shows that the boys pulled off in 1990. The AZ shows that led up to the McNichols run were great fun and well played. The desert weather was a nice interlude before getting dropped into the freezer in Denver.

Touch had a rather perfunctory beginning but started to really sizzle as it neared its conclusion. Greatest was a little scattered and never really hit the stride that it had occasion to. If you wanted to judge the show by the 1st 2 songs, I might not argue too much about it being an average show. Candyman was the beginning of the musical ascent. Great effects by Jerry here and very impassioned vocals – wings were starting to spread here. Walkin Blues was usually a bathroom song for me – not this night > overlook this at your peril. The standouts on this were Bobby and Bruce. Quicker rhythms by Weir seemed to set the pace. Vince got in the act for a bit and then correctly decided to get out of the way. Hornsby swooped in with a great solo and wonderful energy that worked up the crowd into a good lather before Bobby broke back into the lyrics > a roar of appreciation followed. Jerry stepped it up even higher with a rip-roarin’ Loose Lucy! Played with the requisite gusto and then some! At one point when the rest of the band was trying to fall in line, Jerry stepped back, looked across the stage at his mates and started leanin’ into it as only Jerry can! So good.

The Mexicali > Maggie’s was high octane! The mexi was just….wonderfully absurd! It was like a mix between carnival music and puerile jam band acid rock. Energy was built to a fever pitch before it galloped its way into an outstanding Maggie’s. Solid stuff until Phil stepped to the mic for his part. He belts it out and drops some bombs and the place goes totally bonkers! Seriously, listen to an audience version > total meltdown. Things calm down some with Queen Jane. Over the course of the song, it was clear that Jerry was getting a little cagey. QJ is not a tune that would let it all hang out but it was clear to me that Jerry wanted to do exactly that. He got what he wanted with the next offering. DEAL. I could write more to describe this but it won’t do it justice. Jerry has done some unbelievable Deal’s and this one was no different. No fewer than 5 crests on this version > fucking spellbinding – no other words can describe. I had to take a knee after this one – thank God for set-break.

Listen to the China > Rider. Incendiary shit here > It’s all Jerry from start to finish. Frankly, I think the rest of the band decided to get out of his way on this one. Not that their playing was not inspired mind you, they just wanted Jerry to wring everything out of it that he could. During the cool Colorado rain of Rider, I think the roof lifted off. Maybe not an all-time version of the suite, but up there with Shoreline 1990 for sure. LL Rain bugged me at first. How could they play LLR after just dropping THAT bomb?!? They pulled off an all-timer in my eyes. Jerry was all over that guitar – I mean ALL over it > not a wasted note here. That coupled with palatable Weir-Wailings and Drum-induced thunder made me feel like an ass for doubting the song selection.

The passage that followed will go down as one of the best combos of 1990. Iko > Dark Star > Terrapin. Totally absurd Iko with a false start that finished with a Midi flurry that was unbelievable. The Dark Star was tight yet exploratory despite being a bit marred by Bruce’s use of the accordion. It had the chance to be really special had that decision not been made. It was by no means un-enjoyable, just a little too experimental for my tastes. As the DS wound down into a spacey soup, I expected drums to take over. Nope. The musical tapestry of Terrapin begin to take shape out of the ashes of DS, and the place went nuts. A strong version to be sure. Charmed inspiration built and built, and carved its way to the eventual apex in all its glory! So good. D > S provided the requisite break I needed.

Wild Watchtower. Bobby kept looking over at Jerry as if to suggest. DAMN Jerry – what got into you?! Once that tune was sufficiently owned, Jerry slid us into a blissfully bittersweet Stella Blue. It freaking shined! As with Jerry best songs of the nite, he didn’t waste a single note. Throwin Stones seemed to signal the band was a little gassed. It was a little better than pedestrian, but I think the band was catching their collective breaths. They had just taken it about as high as they could. NFA showed their 2nd wind even if it never travelled as far as we all wished it would. The Weight encore was another highlight. Everyone was waiting for Phil’s turn > listen to the Aud. Holy Shit!

Mediocre at best? You are out of your blessed mind. I think you just don’t want to like it for some reason or are somehow are hearing something much different than everyone else is. I get it though, post-Brent leaves much to be desired. Be careful not to avoid it though. Late 1990 and all of 1991 have quite a few mind-blowers. Bruce helped Jerry get to places and had not been in awhile! Curious: reviewr gave 10.1.94 5 stars. While certainly a good -even great- show by 1994 standards, it's does't hold McNihols jock. Goes to show you don't ever know.....

Let's be honest. There is a lot better from 1990 (3/29, 6/8, 9/19, 9/20, 10/20, 12/31). From the era we have 10/9/89, 10/26/89 and especially 9/10/91!

Just because you where there doesn't make it good. I had to suffer through most of the show to get to the few highlights: Lucy, Iko, Dark Star> Terrapin. There are MUCH better versions of Lucy, DS and Terrapin in the 70's.

The Charlie Miller copy of this show helps with the sound (too much keyboard here).

listened to this summer of '91 on Long Island. Wore the tape out. Listen to Jerr Bear on China>Rider yelling like he did sometimes in '80's. If you like that, take a listen to 6/8/92 'so many roads'.

This was the best show I saw in the 90's. I haven't listened to them all, but I've yet to hear any better show from that period. The band was really trying their hardest to put on a great show, not phoning it in as they did in later years. I was very lucky to have been there.

should be shot..or at least banned and have posts removed...''I havent listened to the show yet, but I'm giving 3 stars because Jerry almost fucked the first line in Iko' fuckin Loiser ...this show smokes

Twas energy in the air that night, my friends....

Hot show, but too much Vince in this source - he's mixed up front w/Jerry, with Bruce relegated to the background.

Bummer dude

Great live Dead show for me and my future wife, too much cigarette smoke but one helluva show...

Sad to think how much time has passed and how much has changed. McNichols is gone, Jerry is gone, wish I could go back...

Better finish that time machine in the basement...

And for you boneheads you can download it here:
http://www.archive.org/details/gd1990-12-12.senn.grabski.32020.sbefail.flac16

http://tinyurl.com/64yzgb

Damn stoners...

This is one of those shows that I listen to and think, "Man, it would have been fun to be at that show!"

The setlist here is so much fun and, for the most part, played quite well. Jerry's a bit hoarse at times, but makes up for it on guitar. The Dark Star> Terrapin took me off of this planet and into the realms of pure psychedelic bliss. Both of those songs do that very often for me. Stella Blue is also a delight - it's been a while since I've last heard that song (okay, like two weeks, but I've listened to a lot of shows in that time!)

All around 4 star show!

"Twas a winters night with Christmas in site
nothing but joy filling the air.
For the Cosmic Clowns were coming to our town
and they were bringing their magical lire.
I knew we were in for a treat so to speak,
but knew nothing of our fate,
But on 12/12/90 I was turning 28.
Now you would never know what you would see at a show,
It could have easily been another night
The Star hadn't crashed here in many a year
But there was a chance that it might
The first few notes after 'Jac-a-moe-fino'
The center of the universe seemed to change.
It was the good old Dead, playing Dark Star live.
with the sounds they has arranged
Those beautiful, transcedental notes that had been writen on my head
were for the first time being played before me.
God! I Love The Grateful Dead!
So thanks Boys for one of the best nights of my life.
I wish I could repay.
It won't do it justice, but I'll tell you right now,
That show F*cking blew me away"

You can grab any of these shows out of temp internet files after streaming the show. Thank you GD and all else for making this happen. This show is great . They were in a good groove at this time. Aloha

Listening to this show finally put me in the holiday spirit. This is one of those performances where it feels as if every cell in my body is dancing! The sound is just exactly perfect! Jerry noodling around with "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" during space, brought this time of year alive for me. If I had one request for the Ghost of Christmas Future it would be that this show, if at all possible, could be made available for download so I would be able to use it to stuff the stockings of my freaky computerless amigos.
Have a Jerry Christmas, and deck the halls with howls of Bobby!

I remember living in Boulder at the time, psyched to finally have a "local" show after years of driving across the country. It was going to be interesting seeing the boys for the first time since Brent (the rumored Red Rocks gigs right after his passing not to be), he was a highlight for me those years.

I was enjoying the novelty of working my day job before driving down for the night's show. A buddy and I were kicking around ideas for set lists for that night. At one point we got to "China Rider and Dark Star before drums", and were just laughing about the idea, and moved on to other more "serious, realistic" topics. But when actually it came about, holy cow I was floored.

Then one of my favorite musical moments with the Dead, when then opened Terrapin up out of Dark Star. It was like someone pushed me over the edge with a light touch from their pinky. Delirious joy.

Check out NFA, where right after the first lyrics the crowd claps the beat out super tight and loud; Jerry and the band just riffed off of our "drumming".

I remember a buddy of mine let his (non-deadhead) wife convince him that he only needed to go to one of these 3 shows. He picked night 2; a tough choice for the Dark Star fan that he was!

Great show, great times.

Oh me, oh my.........
From Candyman on, I knew we were in for it. I don't think Jerry wanted each of the songs to end. He just kept building & building until he decided 4 cresendes would do the job. Yikes! The mexicali>Maggies was smokin as was the Loose Lucy. I have never seen Jerry so aminated in trying to urge on his mates. The Deal......let's just say it was 'hippie heavy metal.'
The 2nd set through Drums will live in infamy. I kept trying to get it together but the boys kept launching me into the stratosphere! Brilliant.
I must weigh in on the Dark Star....I feel sorry that so few people weren't able to enjoy the moment. I thought it well played even if there was an accordian in the mix. Next you are going to tell me that the Terrapin that rose from the ashes of the STAR wasn't as good as some in '77. I guess there are always going to be critics. For my money, the run @ McNichols was in the top 3 for the 90's

How do I download this Show??
IT WAS THE BEST SHOW I HAVE EVER BEEN TO !!

I have to rank this show up there any that I had seen in my touring career. I flew out to stay with a firend of mine who was going to CU at the time. I had been seening about 20 shows a year since 88 and this was my first Dark Star. I lost it. This etire run blew my mind and was more than enough the keep me on the bus. After these 3 shows till the very end I only missed about 15 shows each year. These are a must listen, but isn't it all. I am not much for picking the boys apart on a decent night. You Have to listen to all 3 nights and put the Dark Star together. Well done boys!

How do you download this? I'd like to download and burn it to CD.

period.

Very Good Shows
I enjoyed the Valley Road!
It was nice to be back in the USA

Aiko,Dark Star>Terrapin

Glad to see this one up. I have a very good audience of this show taped by an awesome taper from Albuquerque, NM. It is worth having for the "cool Colorado rain" moment alone!! If I had the thing on disc rather than cassette I'd upload it to the Archive but c'est la vie. I know it's out there.

I later got a SBD but this is better. What a rockin' night! It always blows my mind. The show two nights later that has the conclusion to the Dark Star is also a mindblower. Massive He's Gone blues jam and a stunning Wharf Rat. My jaw always drops. Get both shows.

Nobody wrote about the Iko Iko dub dub at the beginning. Jerry starts off in the wrong key, stops after the first few chords, collects himself, and then starts off the song with the correct chords. Hilarious!

I haven't listened to the show yet, but I navigated here because it has one of the hightest batting averages of any dead show. Whether that is relevant or not is a different question. So I'm going to give this a 3 star, because I'm sure there are better concerts and worse concerts.

Yeah, what a second set with 3 Jerry tunes in a row!!

Check out the 9-28-90 rehearsal with the Dead and Hornsby to hear rehearsals of Saint, Stander, and Valley Road. It's a neat listen, and makes these 90 shows with Hornsby even more interesting to hear.

This is a classic. Dymanite show. The second set is epic and played to perfection. I caught the Phoenix a week earlier and thought they were hot, but this is what it's about.

Having seen about 50 shows in 1990, I was pleased to have one so close to home (boulder at the time). December brought the short notice Oakland shows, which I found disappointing, the Tempe shows, which were a blast, and then hometown. Needless to say, I was a bit ragged. Also, being 19 it was a treat to have backstage passes for this run. Even though nothing is there.

The whole run was great, and everyone was stoked that they played alot of the tunes they broke out in the past year. Plus, all my tour friends stayed at my house, and it was snowy, and in the middle of final exams....just a great fucking time. Also, these was some of the first shows I really got to see Hornsby getting down at.

At the time, nobody bitched about the accordion, but I remember folks used to bitch all the time when only the first verse of dark star was sung. I never understood this complaint.

I wish there was a good FOB on the archive, although I don't think that any were made.

If you like '90s dead, get this one. Not up to the standard of the Spring run, but damn good.

I'm glad to see I wasn't alone in my distaste for the accordion during (my first) Dark Star. I only got on the bus in 87 and assumed I'd never hear that tune played. Though this version is a fine one and the presence of the accordion is barely audible, ( and even sounds good when it is ) I really, really didn't need that nonsense spoiling the view of what could have been the single high point in all my touring. That said, how upset could someone really be seeing a set like this? The setlist says it all. Bruce, I love ya man, but damn. Thanks anyway ;)

These shows were the highlight of my year as a Colorado Ski Bum. Second set was the best string of music I had witnessed from the Dead in years and, for me, nothing compared again. Accordian was a little intrusive, but not enough to slow the ride.

This show's second set is one of the finest, if not THE finest, in 1990. From start to finish, fine playing. I believe the accordian gives IKO a Cajun flavor that not only is true to the genre, but drives the jam to its highest points.

was it this night, or one of the next two? i remember floating out of a show to freshly dusted streets, shakedown happening with a fluffy coating of rocky mountain rain. while the accordian brought some down, this is still a fab show. the stella blue is no slouch and there is solid jamming throughout.

This Loose Lucy Smokes!! Get this show.

Vince plays to upper midrangie (does this make sense?) for me but a great show. Seeing Hornsby pull out the #%*@#*^ accordian durng Iko was bad enough but to play it during Dark Star was a travasty! What was he thinking! The vocals at this run of shows was somewhat more polished than I was used to(practice pays off) and the playing on the whole was very good. I just wish someone could have done away with the accordian.

Aiko>Dark Star>Terrapin?!? Plus a smokin China>Rider Second Set Opener!

Sounds Fantastic.

I remember the telephone call I got after this show, "Dude, you're not going to believe what Jerry kicked down tonight!"