Dead of the Day: 12-09-1990
Compton Terrace Amphitheater
Tempe, Arizona
While Ornette Coleman’s visit with the band on this date in 1993 tempted us, we ended up going with this 1990 show as our Dead of the Day. The first set begins with Hell In A Bucket, but the standouts of the early going lie elsewhere, including an uptempo, jammy Bertha with excellent keys that comes out next. The drum-heavy Black Throated Wind is also a first-set highlight with Jerry’s plaintive guitar adding quite a bit to the action. And the other song not to be missed is Valley Road, where the Dead add a special resonance to one of Bruce’s signature tunes.
Hell In A Bucket, Bertha, Little Red Rooster, Jack A Roe, Maggie’s Farm, Black Throated Wind, Bird Song, Valley Road
Set 2
Samson & Delilah, Scarlet Begonias-> Fire On The Mountain, Truckin’-> Spoonful-> He’s Gone-> Jam-> Drums-> Jam-> The Wheel-> Playin’ In The Band Reprise-> Goin’ Down The Road Feelin’ Bad-> Good Lovin’, E: Brokedown Palace
Out of the set break, the boys come charging with a regal Scarlet Begonias; the keys, drums, and Bobby’s guitar offering a rich tapestry on which Jerry lets loose all the way into Fire. Phil and the drummers drive that latter song forward while the rest of the band creates a puffy, floating sound-space. Then, after some tuning, the band turns to Truckin’, which transitions to Spoonful in a stunning manner. Jerry seems to effortlessly switch into the Spoonful theme, and, slowly, the rest of the boys follow him along. After Spoonful, a tasty He’s Gone rolls out, provoking more than a few thoughts of Brent, especially as the boys harmonize so sweetly during the vocal vamping section. He’s Gone ends with a steamy little jam into Drums and Space, and then The Wheel comes out the other side. It is lovely, rising and falling likes the seas before finally giving way to a Playin’ Reprise. And then Bruce’s piano really adds some character to a funky Goin’ Down The Road Feeling Bad, which itself leads into a fun Good Lovin’ to see out the set.
Yesterday’s Dead of the Day:
Other December 9th Shows and Recordings:
- 1971 – Fox Theater – St. Louis, Missouri
- 1979 – Kiel Auditorium – St. Louis, Missouri
- 1981 – Events Center, University of Colorado – Boulder, Colorado
- 1988 – Long Beach Arena – Long Beach, California
- 1989 – Great Western Forum – Inglewood, California
- 1993 – Los Angeles Sports Arena – Los Angeles, California
- 1994 – Oakland Coliseum Arena – Oakland, California
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