04-08-1991

Orlando Arena

Orlando, Florida

A bright and textured Half Step opens the action, welcoming everyone down to the southern skies of Florida. The boys are clearly on, and they start to get things cooking as the tune rolls out. The Dead continue to stretch their legs, getting more frenetic as they go, in the Walkin’ Blues that follows, highlighted by a brilliant jam in the latter half which is given added succor by Bruce’s immaculate keys. The energy from Walkin’ Blues spills right into Peggy-O, transforming the tale of unrequited love into an upbeat, spirited romp. Then, with Jerry frenetically picking away, Bobby cruises through Me and My Uncle in a breakneck 2:45. Maggie’s Farm is a good deal longer, but has all the verve of its predecessor. And the crowd, fully riled up, cheers every verse; Hunter Seamon’s matrix, cued up to your left, captures that all so nicely while also reducing some of the first set hiss in the soundboard. A lengthy breather follows on the heels of Maggie’s. But the boys don’t lose a beat when they resume with Dire Wolf before finishing out with Picasso Moon and Might As Well.

Recording info
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Identifier:
gd1991-04-08.mtx.seamons.95260.sbeok.flac16
Source:
Matrix mix (SBD/AUD)
Notes:
*Matrix* —————————————————- SBD: SBD>DAT>C>DAT>CDR EAC/SHN conversion by Brad Ingle (b_ingle@hotmail.com) Shntool used to verify sb’s Seeded to etree 06/02 Thanks to Paul “Raoul B.” Duke for the audio discs —————————————————- AUD: Sen. 421’s ~> Casio DA-7 Wavelab > CD Wave w/ Flac ————————————————— Thank you to Brad Ingle and Paul “Raoul B.” Duke for the SBD transfer. Matrix by Hunter Seamons using Final Cut Pro (SHN & FLAC>AIFF>Final Cut>WAV>FLAC) October 12, 2008 Notes: 1) Cut in SBD between Wolf and Moon, for part of Tuning tracks, before encore, and for a minute during Space. 2) SBD source has some track gap glitches (faint clicks) that I smoothed over, although some remain 3) Sound system static during Space 4) Seamless show
Description:
Set 1 Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo Walkin’ Blues Peggy-O Me And My Uncle -> Maggie’s Farm Dire Wolf Picasso Moon Might As Well Set 2 Eyes Of The World Man Smart (Woman Smarter) Ship Of Fools Truckin’ -> Drums -> Space -> The Wheel -> I Need A Miracle -> Morning Dew Encore Johnny B. Goode
Lineage:
Transferrer:
Hunter Seamons
Play
Pause
Back
Forw.
Volume
00:00
1
Tuning
03:32
2
Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo
09:37
3
Walkin’ Blues
07:35
4
Peggy-O
09:00
5
Me And My Uncle ->
02:44
6
Maggie’s Farm
08:25
7
Dire Wolf
04:13
8
Picasso Moon
06:35
9
Might As Well
05:23
10
Tuning
03:01
11
Eyes Of The World ->
16:29
12
Man Smart, Woman Smarter
08:07
13
Ship Of Fools
07:54
14
Truckin’ ->
12:28
15
Drums ->
10:28
16
Space ->
13:15
17
The Wheel ->
04:49
18
I Need a Miracle ->
04:03
19
Morning Dew
15:00
20
Johnny B. Goode
05:00
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Despite the thrilling early half, the two absolute standouts of the show – Eyes and Morning Dew – bookend the second set. First comes the Eyes, which Jerry lights up, spurred on by some tasty runs from Bruce and the thundering drumming of Mickey and Billy. Sure, there is more ragged, awesome beauty in Eyes from the 70s. But versions from the late 80s and 90s can be magisterial. And this Eyes is as rounded and refined as they come, with contoured, airy interstices. The playing afterwards might take a step back, but the vibe holds steady as the drummers drive it into Man Smart, which is always a fun rocker. Then Jerry puts in a spirited Ship of Fools before Truckin’ gives way to Drums. Mickey and Billy recapture the earlier brilliance, which sets up a explorative Space with Jerry in full-on MIDI mode. Slowly the band forms around Jerry’s lead, and they head gracefully into a lovely Wheel. Then the Wheel, which had entered a funky netherworld, wrecks and immediately reforms into Miracle. The crowd eats up the Wheel and Miracle, becoming an additional member of the band, before erupting at the first notes of Morning Dew. A melancholy splendor fills the Dew, and Jerry slowly builds to the awful occasion, tearing into a ripping jam before his last somber verse. Then he comes forth with MIDI horns and lays out a serene, yet apocalyptic sonic narrative, feeding what becomes a seething crescendo of aching splendor.

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