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.
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.
Today’s Dead of the Day:
Other April 8th Shows and Recordings:
- 1967 – KPIX-TV Studios – San Francisco, California
- 1971 – Boston Music Hall – Boston, Massachusetts
- 1972 – Empire Pool – Wembley, England
- 1978 – Veterans Memorial Coliseum – Jacksonville, Florida
- 1982 – Onondaga County War Memorial – Syracuse, New York
- 1985 – The Spectrum – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- 1988 – The Centrum – Worcester, Massachusetts
- 1989 – Riverfront Coliseum – Cincinnati, Ohio
- 1994 – Miami Arena – Miami, Florida

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