09-08-1991
Madison Square Garden
New York, New York
At this point in their long career, the Dead were playing well. They had incorporated Vince into the mix, and Bruce was always pushing them to new heights. The music had its flaws, but it was often outstanding, and the shows were still stunning on the whole. And that pretty much describes what we have on this night. Of course, in hindsight, this period was the last in which Jerry, and sometimes the rest of the band, would consistently deliver the goods.
Here on the 8th of September, the band found themselves in the heart of New York City at MSG, a place that was an East Coast base for them. And with a nine show run spread out before them, they could get comfortable and bring the magic, which is exactly what they do with a spirited Touch to open the action. From there, the momentum builds, culminating at the end of the first set with a plaintive, mesmerizing Row Jimmy and an outstanding Let It Grow.
The second half of the evening, as it is so often, was when the sparks really started to fly though. Eyes and Saint into Drums by way of a jam with more than a few nods to Dark Star is lovely throughout with some truly transcendental moments. And the Drums and Space are rich and lustrous as Mickey and Billy shake the building from the floor to the rafters. And, with Phil bombing away, The Other One gathers and takes hold, eventually heading into a solid Wharf Rat. Finally, the Attics is a welcome breakout in the encore after being shelved for the past 18 months. All-in-all, it was a great night to be in front of the boys, made all the more special because the rest of the lengthy run was still ahead.
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