Customer Reviews

Grateful Dead - View from the Vault IV

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Fellow Heads...

...Thought you might like to know the setlist(s) before buying the gem of a release. Like all the View From the Vault's its a stellar preformance. Includes:

Oakland Stadium Oakland, CA - July 24, 1987
Set 1:
Funiculi Funicula
Jack Straw >
Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo
My Brother Esau
When Push Comes To Shove
Far From Me
Cassidy >
Deal

Set 2:
Hell In A Bucket >
Scarlet Begonias
Playing In The Band >
Drums >
Space >
Uncle John's Band >
Dear Mr. Fantasy >
I Need A Miracle >
Bertha >
Sugar Magnolia

Anaheim Stadium Anaheim, CA - July 26, 1987
Set 1:
Iko Iko
New Minglewood Blues
Tons Of Steel
West L.A. Fadeaway
When I Paint My Masterpiece >
Mexicali Blues
Bird Song >
Promised Land

Set 2:
Shakedown Street >
Looks Like Rain >
Terrapin Station >
Drums >
Space >
The Other One >
Stella Blue >
Throwing Stones >
Not Fade Away

I read a recent review of this DVD in which the reviewer gave the DVD a rating of four stars instead of five, the reason being that they couldn't appreciate the added special effects that took away from the performance itself. I recently read an interview with David Lemieux, the current archivist of the Vault, and I thought everyone might like to know, especially the reviewer of four stars, that the footage contained in all the View From The Vault films are represented exactly as they were during the concert. In other words the images that you see on your TV screen, are an exact replica of the images that were displayed on the monitors during the concert, added effects and all. With that being said, I think it is rather cool that the concert goers of these five particular shows showcased in the View From The Vault series, as well as the millions that missed out on the experience of these particular dates, are able to re-create the exact visual stimulation that took place during these performances, and furthermore will continue to live on in homes around the world until the end of time. Happy viewing!

I was looking for my first Dead DVD and I kept reading the same thing in all the reviews, that they were weak because of the graphics and effects. Well, I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised: the effects aren't half as bad as I expected, and more importantly, the shows are really good. Great video and audio quality, great setlists, and overall solid performances from the boys.
Highlights:
1. Bobby on My Brother Esau, Hell in a Bucket, and Throwing Stones
2. Jerry's playing on Deal and Scarlet
3. Iko Iko
4. Shakedown
This DVD is great, and if it's any indication of the quality of other GD/VFTV releases, I'll be buying more.

I believe they took the footage from the screens that were from the show itself,it's what the people saw that joyous day.That's why the effects are there.

I won't go into a lot of detail on this one..... suffice it to say that the performances are great, Jerry's playing is stellar and he manages not to fumble up too many lyrics. The only reason I didn't give this five stars is that whomever is responsible (Monterey Video?) continues to see fit to interject those awful, uninspiring, cheesy special effects. Why they insist on doing this is beyond me. This has become increasingly annoying after viewing the VFTV series. Most of us actually want to see the concert footage itself (of which the picture quality here is fabulous, when said effects aren't ruining it). NOTE TO THOSE RESPONSIBLE: us Deadheads don't need any help with visual enhancements - we can govern that all by ourselves if we so choose. Stay out of it! I can only hope that the upcoming 'Closing of Winterland' dvd has been more tastefully composed. Peace all - over and out.

This is a superb show from 1987 ( 2 shows ) that remind me of the wonderful privilige of seeing a ' good ' dead show. Because sometimes they were lacking energy.

Objectively I lived in the US for 16 years, saw 6 GD shows ( still own ) 1000 + hrs of their music on dat format. And saw and taped 17 Further festival / other ones shows between 96 & 98. I think the 98 tour was the best I ve seen / heard and did justice to what we the fans, needed to see and hear at that particular moment of GD history.

Back to this video; I m glad we got two shows on it. There is not one song that is below standard or doubtful ( in its delivery ). The first show - Oakland - is fantastic, but the second - Anaheim - just kicks a**, as we get a pre drums treatment that happenned a few times per year: Shakedown > LL Rain > Terrapin St. The post production remastering comes in nicely here, as we get what I would play for anyone to turn onto this band.

It also makes me remember excellent moments live that I experienced. Like on 23.07.94 at Soldier field. The fantastic Lucy in the sky, followed by a one of a kind Playin > Terrapin'. Being a christian, I have to share with you that we on earth receive spiritual blessings by our father ( god ). And on that night in Chicago in 94, we got some good spiritual blessings because the Lucy in the sky, and Playin > Terrapin were out of sight ( other worldly ). And if anyone reading here was there, you can maybe recall the image of Jesus that was flashed on the screens when the band was in the middle of a beautiful jam in Cassidy; which was washed by a gorgeous green light show with trees and really cool stuff = ) You re probably thinking, ' This guy remembers well that night '. Well, good Grateful Dead shows were always remembered with extremely positive opinions

So, to GD Productions..How about releasing 23.07.94 or 21.07 Deer Creek, which were mi first and second shows. At least one them = )

Additionally, how about some good 86, 85, or 84 shows that may have intriguing video feeds. 29.07.88 Laguna seca would be a good dvd. 15.06.85 ( !! ) Greeks. 20.08.87 Park city, UT,

Frost Amp. 27.04.85

Cheers

Volume four from the "View From The Vault" series features two excellent '87 shows with fantastic set lists and strong playing. Like the other DVDs, the video is taken from the "cameras for the people in the back rows". The band plays really well at both shows.
The sound quality is fantastic. They used a dolby digital 5.1 (as well as 2.0) mix, and it pays off in dividends.
Even if you could "take or leave" the visuals of the band, having two great '87 shows mixed in 5.1 for Amazon's fantastic price would make this DVD a must have for any Deadhead, and a great introduction for anyone just getting into the band.
Highest of recommendations.

Ive been looking forward to this release for awhile. Two stadium shows from the "Dylan and The Dead" tour and the boys came through big time for these performances. I was up front for most of the Oakland show and this this disc brings back memories. Jerry was really on for this night, and it's fun to see him playfully start a "Funiculi Funicula" warm-up to start the show. They then get serious with a hot "Jack Straw" into "Mississippi-Half Step" opener.The DVD has three songs edited out that do appear in the companion cd set. "Friend of the Devil" and "Me &My Uncle/Big River" are no great loss, but Id rather hear FOTD than When Push Comes to Shove" any day.
The 2nd set is solid throughout. The highlight has to be a great "Uncle John's Band" out of space(Jerry finally gets the lyrics right on the last verse) into a INTENSE "Dear Mr. Fantasy" that has Brent and Jerry feeding off each other. No ballads for the rest of the show, just balls to the wall rockers.At the end of the set everyone was psyched knowing we still had a whole mysterious Dylan/Dead set still to go. Unfortunately on this disc it is not to be. No Bob to be found here. Perhaps he was too embarrassed by his haggard performances, who knows. Regardless, it was musical history and deserves to be included. Still, the best VFTV release yet. Anaheim is hot too.

This is 100x better than the first few awkward ventures at a video series to parallel the Dick's Picks and From the Vault audio series. Excellent set lists, excellent video (but for the obligatory cheesy '70s porno special effects), and the sound is 10 out of 10! With 256 minutes of music, this one's a no-brainer!

I find that it helps to close my eyes during the cheesy effects. Then when I open them, everything seems brighter. Incidentally, I also find that when the music gets really weird, it helps to put my hands over my ears and go "WAWAWAWAWAWAWA" in a loud voice. In case the cheesy effects hit at the same time as the weird music, I both shut my eyes AND hold my hands over my ears. Try it! It really works!