Customer Reviews

Crimson, White & Indigo: July 7 1989 JFK Stadium, Philadelphia (3CD/1DVD)

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Crimson, White, and Indigo is an absolute must for Deadheads everywhere, with the DVD portion being the real selling point. Right off the top, you'll be impressed with the video quality considering the 1989 source. Obviously it's not hi-def, but looks great nonetheless. More importantly, the sound is tremendous. They've mastered the 5:1 in such a manner that it will shake your foundation (of your inner being and/or your house) if you've got the system that will allow such a thing. It takes a few songs for the bass guitar to kick into maximum bomb-dropping status, but the experienced Head knows it takes a tune or two to rope in the Dead's PA sound. Most substantive is the smile on Jerry Garcia's face from the onset and throughout the concert. He's beaming, and his non-verbal interaction with Brent Mydland is nothing short of priceless.
This DVD document is a referendum on the fact that 1989 was a very strong year for the Dead musically. Although the performance isn't perfect, therein lies the beauty. It sparkles with wayward abandon. They are all in good voice, very good in fact, and the harmonies are equal parts interesting and scintillating. Phil Lesh's lead vocal on Box of Rain is one of his better treatments of this masterpiece. Brent's soul-bearing rendition of Blow Away is memorable to say the least. From the opening lyric of Hell in Bucket, Bob Weir is in true Bobby form in a good way, energetic and on key. Jerry's voice has rarely sounded better...soft, strong, sweet, and true. His guitar work is unequivocally inspired--simultaneously experimental, authoritative, and precise.
Whether you're a true Deadhead or a newbie, this DVD replicates THE experience as well as anything out there. You can almost smell the scents of patchouli, sweat, and various types of funny cigarettes. If you loved Truckin' Up To Buffalo (this happens to be the next gig on that summer tour), you'll love this. If you didn't, forget it.
Crimson, White, and Indigo isn't for everyone, but it's EVERYTHING to those who appreciate this particular vintage of Grateful Dead elixir. Enjoy!

Far be it to disagree with the other reviewer here who gave this 2 stars but this IS actually a strong show. The opening Hell In A Bucket packs a punch even if a bit uneven while the following Iko Iko can get even the most jaded Deadhead up and dancing. Little Red Rooster is, well, Little Red Rooster. Ramble On Rose is a romp. Stuck Inside Of Mobile didn't last that long in the regular rotation so it's kind of a rarity. Loser rocks hard and Let It Grow is nicely jammed out. Blow Away has already been released as a bonus song on Built to Last.

The second set opens with a good Box Of Rain followed by a nice Scarlet->Fire that has a meaty jam in it. Estimated->Standing On The Moon is a nice change from the Estimated->Eyes that we usually were offered up at the time. The Drums->Space is one of those early midi versions with Jerry switching guitars. The Other One is quite strong and Wharf Rat is above adverage. To close the second set, we get a nice Boblight which a cool Knocking On Heaven's Door. While I may like the show before slightly better Truckin' Up to Buffalo: July 4, 1989, this is hardly a bad show plus you get both the cds and dvd in the same set instead of having to buy them separately. The DVD features a 5.1 surround sound mix and the video is pretty good quality too.

You've got to hand it to the Dead - twenty-one (21) years after they recorded their last studio album in 1989, with the prophetic title "Built To Last" - and they are still cranking out soundboard releases of their live shows. By my count, since Jerry passed in 1995, the Dead have released over seventy live sets (spanning over 250 discs) between their "Vault" series, "Dick's Picks" series, "View From the Vault" series, "Road Trips" series and "Download" series. This does not include the re-releases of their pre-existing catalogue, each of which contains additional live material. There may well come a time when every single Dead show (save for some mid 1960s, post Warlocks, performances and mid-1980s shows poorly recorded on cassette tape) may be available commercially.

Back in the day, Dead Heads were permitted - indeed encouraged - to freely tape the live shows. Cassette tapes of these recordings were circulated amongst Dead Heads. After the demise of the Grateful Dead - i.e., the Dead with "Grateful" and with Jerry at the helm - the Dead made free live shows available on the Net, and sold compact discs of two-track soundboard recordings via their website (operated by friendly in-house members of the Dead family) and multi-track soundboard recordings via their website and through retail vendors. Several years ago, after some internal bickering amongst the remaining band members, all that changed. The Dead pulled the free downloads (at least those they were affiliated with) off the Net and disbanded their in-house merchandising and sales operation. Instead, the merchandising and sales of Dead merchandise was farmed out to Rhino or to another third party vendor. While the quality of the product has remained terrific - David Lemieux and his staff have done a terrific job restoring and re-mastering old tapes (the shows have never sounded this good), and at least with most of the multi-track recordings, delivering nice packaging - the new merchandising and sales arm has gouged Dead Heads with inflated pricing and offered horrendous customer service. As a result, Dead Heads have looked elsewhere - like Amazon - to purchase Dead product.

So what about Crimson, White & Indigo? Well it delivers what Dead Heads want - a complete show - and included in the set, as opposed to a separate package, a DVD of the entire performance. The show in question is the July 7, 1989 John F. Kennedy Stadium, Philadelphia show (in the four years following their hit single "Touch of Grey," the Dead's following grew enormously and they did more stadium shows). And - at least for a post 1977 show -- what a fine show it is! The DVD is a joy to watch. It offers great clarity, nice close-ups of the band members performing (you can see the leads Jerry is playing and the sweat pouring off his arms). Moreover, the band members -- especially Jerry and Brent, both of whom shine in this performance -- seem to really be into the performance. Jerry's vocals, for a 1980s performance, are really good, and his guitar playing is terrific. Jerry and Brent seem really connected, and it's a great Brent show.

Starting with the first set, the band is in a groove. Getting to see Jerry (on slide and lead guitar), Bob (slide guitar) and Brent (keyboards) exchange leads on Willie Dixon's "Little Red Rooster" is almost worth the price of admission in and of itself. The first set also includes strong performances of (the rarely played) "Iko Iko," "Ramble On Rose," "Loser," and "Blow Away," in which Brent adds a blues/soul component to the band that Pig Pen had offered years before.

The second set is as solid set with fine ensemble playing. While not extraordinary, the set features solid performances of "Scarlet-Fire," "Standing on The Moon" (like "Blow Away," from 1989's Built To Last album), "The Other One, "Wharf Rat," "Lovelight" and "Knockin' On Heaven's Door." The transition from the drums-space segment into "The Other One" is quite smooth. The lead work of Phil (yes, Phil plays lead bass), Jerry and Brent is excellent throughout.

What about the sound? The sound quality on the DVD is quite good, although the DVD's stereo mix (I have not heard the surround sound mix) is rather weak at points, and the vocals are sometimes lost in the mix (Phil's vocals on "Box of Rain" are completely buried). This is not a problem with the CDs, however, which sound terrific, at least on my HDCD player.

The artwork on the packaging is very, very tasteful.

In conclusion this is a fine set, and makes a nice companion to the 2005 release Truckin To Buffalo, which contained the show just previous to this one -- the complete July 4, 1989 Rich Stadium, Buffalo show -- on a 2-CD set and a separate DVD set (I haven't listened to those CDs in some time, nor viewed that DVD, so I cannot render any comparisons, but can note that the set list in completely different; there are no repeated songs). While personally, I prefer Dead shows from 1969-74 and from 1977-78, respectively, this set makes a convincing case that 1989 was a pretty strong year for the Dead.

A final word about the cost of this set. By way of comparison, Paul McCartney - whose music Jerry admired -- released a 3-CD, 1-DVD set of his 2009 Shea Stadium, New York performances (more than 50% of which consists of live versions of Beatles songs) last year, which sold for about $15.00. This set, also a 3-CD and 1-DVD set, is currently twice that amount, and another $10 more if you buy it from the Dead's own web site. Why?

CORRECTION: The 2009 McCartney set is a 2-CD, 1-DVD set.

The movie was better than being at the show. I was at that show and it paled in comparison. Watch this on the big screen with good sound system.

The interaction between Brent and Jerry was captured quite well. This was a good Brent show.

This DVD took me by surprise, got to listen to it last night without any distractions, It seems like 89 was the year of Concert Videos and possibly the hottest year of the Dead, Being a Seventies Dead Fan, I have listened and watched all of the Others like "Down Hill From Here" and "Truckin' Up to Buffalo", the companion to this one, recorded three days earlier, Which was good, but nothing to jump up and down about. As soon as I put on my headphones and put in the DVD, I was captivated by the quality of sound, the excellent camera work, You spend the show on the stage with The Grateful Dead, You see some very neat and candid things that you normally would not see. I was totally transported by the DVD to like being there, it is just incredible, best camera work I have ever seen on a concert film. I had my Oppodigital DVD player set on 5.1 instead of stereo for the Phones and I must say , the sound was out of this world. As usual, it would take the Dead a few songs to get everything tweaked just right. The first set was a bit unusual, putting "Iko Iko" as their second song. "Little Red Rooster was third song". They were destined to rock out that night. Their vocals were stellar that night. Brent Mydland turning i some great performance, especially on "Blow Away", where he started this like talk part of the song that put the huge crowd in his hands, The rest of the band kinda backed off and let Brent shine. It was quite an emotional moment where Brent had the crowd in his hands. It was the set ender and after Brent was done, you could see Jerry smile at Brent with a big proud papa type smile, they always had a good musical relationship, feeding off of each other.

The DVD goes right into the second set, in the fully packed JFK Stadium, which held close to 100,000 and it looked packed. "Box Of Rain" started out the next set and Phil plain nailed it and there was some great vocal harmony at the end, Weir, Garcia and Lesh. A great version of "Scarlett Begonias" was next, by this time the band was firing on all cylinders. The drummers were hot, Bobby was doing his Bobby thing , backing away from the mike and then sort of attacking it again. Phil's bass is playing in his very all over the place, but right where he was supposed to be mode. There were smiles all around, it just was so cool, being up so close to the action, you could hear lots of little comments, it showed a shot of the Drummers from the back once where they were watching Jerry and talking to each other. In the seventies , The Dead used to take a long time between songs, Their show in the late 80s was tight, I did not notice words being forgotten, and as usual, Jerry was phenomenal in his playing, you would hear a lull, and then Jerry would rip out a solo that was so tight and hot, and Brent was so hot in his responses to Jerry's playing.

There was a very good selection of material from all over there career, From "Turn On Your Lovelight" to newer material like "Standing On The Moon". This is a roller coaster ride of ups and downs, but this is the Dead at the peak of their game. A Great show for older Dead Heads and newbies too, wished I had seen one of the rare screenings, There was one very close to my house, the week before the package was released. Rhino got this one right, wish that the DVD could have been sold separately, because I am not going to be listening to the CDs, I'm going to listen to The DVD thru my Oppodigital universal Disc player, great sound. A plug for it too.

[...]

to have ever had a chance to see the Dead live. But thanks to treasures like this DVD (Rhino: Release more, for crying out loud!), I get to experience the next best thing. This show is a fantastic example of the magic that this band was capable of in their later era. One reviewer objects to the sound quality--and sure, the mix isn't perfect, but the show sounds excellent to my ears, and that's all I'm after. (I must say though, Phil is up front in the mix, which is awesome). More importantly, the band LOOKS great here: Look for Jerry beaming at Brent singing a Pigpen-worthy Blow Away, and Phil giving the band the cue that he's officially about to thunder into the Other One. By the way, he does. And need I even mention the brilliance of this Scarlet/Fire?

Another reviewer, who apparently did not watch the release, advises us all to "Move on" from past treasures like this. I say hold on to this. Savor it. Come back to it. It's timeless music, and one of Rhino's better releases.

89' is truly a great year for the Grateful Dead. Putting the nostalgic view aside most shows in 89' were well played. When "Truckin' Up To Buffalo" was released, many heads on discussion boards and in chat rooms were often talking about 7-7-89. And left wondering if it would ever be released, or when it would be released. This show is truly a gem, period. It is very worthy of being released, you won't be dissapointed.

Initially, this set did not thrill me. I pre-ordered it from DEAD.net and it seemed that it made it to Amazon before I got my copy. By the time it made its way to my mailbox, I was chomping at the bit to dig into it. My first reaction when it finally arrived and I heard it for the first time, was a casual 'OK, this is what I was waiting for'.

After a few listens however, I really started to get into it. REALLY INTO IT. This release helped me appreciate the first set more than ever before. Normally, anything after 72, maybe 74 doesn't do as much for me - even 77. I'd pick up the disc and go right to the second set and start there. I like the jams, the longer the better, and the space.

Occasionally, I would venture into the first set if I was really needing more of that particular show, but in general, I was not that interested.

CW&I changed that for me forever. This is a show that is meant to be heard beginning to end and whenever possible that is the way that I listen to it. Beginning to end.

The momentum starts out pretty heavy right from the first notes of Hell in a Bucket and just builds from there. Say what you want about the sound quality or any occasional flub here and there, the intensity of the spirit and energy of this show cannot be denied.

I'm now a believer in 1989 and I'm seeking out whatever I can find from that period in Dead touring. When I figured out that Trucking Up To Buffalo was recorded the previous night, I was in heaven! What a companion set! It satisfied my craving for July 1989 Dead.

If I had to be critical of anything about this set it would be the disc break between drums and space - something Dead fans are used to. Fortunately, the DVD has no such break and presents a continuum of sweet, mind bending, sonic delight.

So do it. Click on the Add to Cart button right now and feel the good vibes. You won't be sorry.

Let me start this review by disclosing that 1989 is not my favorite year for the Grateful Dead. I have been a fan since the beginning of the band. My favorite eras include the late 1960s and the early to late 1970s. I thought that the Dead had a few strong years after Jerry's miracle return after the diabetic coma and 1989 was one of them but I thought they got into the MIDI effects a little too much which had the effect of taking away their strong propulsive attack somewhat-esp. with Jerry's infatuation with the technology in his solos. That being said-this is a strong show and more agressive IMHO. I am VERY happy to have this in pristine HDCD sound with a wonderful DVD of the show right up there on stage with them. The interplay between Garcia and Mydland is a blast to watch. Don't expect giant balloons and cheesy show-biz stuff-this is the Dead who were anti-showbiz. They gave the real deal w/o gimmicks. Always did it that way and prospered along the way among those who could appreciate the authenticity of what they strove to do over the years. I think this release is much better than "Truckin up to Buffalo" which, to me, is a little too laid back. Additional Disclaimer: I have only listened to the DVD in stereo mix-I understand the multi-channel mix is better. More Bass, Lesh Philing.

I was at this show. It was a hot show... more ways than one. Starting with Hell in a Bucket, which had a lot of pep, we knew that this was going to be a Great show. The DVD shows just how much fun the boys were having. I just wish that they would produce more DVDs. I really miss seeing the shows. The DVDs bring back great memories.