Grateful Dead Live at Los Angeles Coliseum on 1991-06-01
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- Publication date
- 1991-06-01 ( check for other copies)
- Topics
- Live concert
- Collection
- GratefulDead
- Band/Artist
- Grateful Dead
- Resource
- DeadLists Project
Shakedown Street, Walkin' Blues, Bertha-> Greatest Story Ever Told, Candyman, Queen Jane Approximately, Deal Picasso Moon, Foolish Heart, Playin' In The Band-> Uncle John's Band-> Drums-> Jam-> I Need A Miracle-> Black Peter-> Throwing Stones-> Not Fade Away, E: One More Saturday Night
Notes
DSBD> Dat> c> Dat> CD> EAC> SHN; via Steve Barbella, with thanks to John Valter, Paul Bottiglio
- Access-restricted-item
- true
- Addeddate
- 2004-05-11 11:21:31
- Has_mp3
- 1
- Identifier
- gd91-06-01.sbd.barbella.6020.sbeok.shnf
- Location
- Los Angeles, CA
- Numeric_id
- 13578
- Shndiscs
- 2
- Type
- sound
- Venue
- Los Angeles Coliseum
- Year
- 1991
comment
Reviews
Reviewer:
jim bones214
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
December 22, 2023
Subject: My second show
Subject: My second show
This show was smokin It was a very dangerous time in Los Angeles Less than a year later there really were riots. Thanks Rodney king So the whole city was lit to pop and the coliseum was smack dab in the middle. I could only imagine the atmosphere had they played 2-3 shows. No shows in LA IN. 92 due to jerrys health and south LA was in riots. It’s only with time do we gain perspective. Not my favorite venue. Great for football but the board sounds amazing
Reviewer:
jonny hal
-
favoritefavoritefavorite -
September 27, 2023
Subject: Can't close the door when the wall's caved in
Subject: Can't close the door when the wall's caved in
Didn't see this mentioned specifically, but the Heads rushed the floor right as Bobby sang "You can't close the door when the wall's caved in". Took it as a big FU to Security at the time.
Reviewer:
joshthedoc
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
June 4, 2020
Subject: LA Dead.
Subject: LA Dead.
This was a great show for me. Somehow we got staff parking and we were milling about when Bruce showed up at the fence and we started chatting. We were joking and laughing when I said, "hey Bruce, how about a Shakedown opener?" He said, "Hey man, we figure out all that stuff just before going on." I just wanted to plant the seed. And what do you know.......Shakedown opener!! I also remember having pretty good seats, lots of LAPD officers about. I have a striking memory of looking up at the stadium seats above stage right and seeing an LAPD officer in uniform. The sun was reflecting off his badge like some kind of superhero. It was a quite striking......
Now I have to verify with my friend, but I seem to recall my friends brother aka "the Grateful Dork", brought his friend and his girlfriend to the show. They were not heads at all, but it was local and they had great seats and backstage passes as well. Apparently, when they were back there the guys girlfriend and Bill Walton got to talking. They ended up getting married. Far Out.
You know, I was lucky to see lots of shows, and of course we would critique them and complain about this and that, but now I relish in all these memories a lifetime ago. Don't forget to donate to the Archive and keep all of these memories alive!
Now I have to verify with my friend, but I seem to recall my friends brother aka "the Grateful Dork", brought his friend and his girlfriend to the show. They were not heads at all, but it was local and they had great seats and backstage passes as well. Apparently, when they were back there the guys girlfriend and Bill Walton got to talking. They ended up getting married. Far Out.
You know, I was lucky to see lots of shows, and of course we would critique them and complain about this and that, but now I relish in all these memories a lifetime ago. Don't forget to donate to the Archive and keep all of these memories alive!
Reviewer:
Dominic Tringale
-
favoritefavoritefavorite -
June 2, 2020
Subject: The Scene Was Mean
Subject: The Scene Was Mean
The scene was mean at the Coliseum 29 years ago today. There was a weird vibe in the air. Security and Police were aggressive. Heads were being heads so there was some tension in the air.
I showed up with no real intention of hanging out before or after the show. I drove from Tucson with my younger brother. His first show. Ugh. He saw the boys at Pine Knob with me later in June. Our hometown shows. A much better scene. A real Dead scene.
The Shakedown was good once the band got settled in and Healy dialed in the sound. The crowd busting on to the floor was a crazy sight. Thousands of Heads pushing their way against dozens of Security goons. Bertha->Greatest in the 3rd & 4th slot was a pleasant surprise. Deal rocked out some.
Overall, the 1st Set isn't that bad. It was pretty good "to the ear" at the show but much better on tape when you can actually listen to the music and not see all the shit that was going on before, during, and after the gig itself. If this Set was played at a different venue, say Cal Expo, it would've been a lot better reviewed.
The 2nd had it's moments. I remember it didn't do much for me in person but plays better listening to it after the fact. I think a lot of negative criticism of this show was more about the scene than the music itself. It wasn't the greatest but wasn't the worst. 3* Music
1* Scene & Vibe
I showed up with no real intention of hanging out before or after the show. I drove from Tucson with my younger brother. His first show. Ugh. He saw the boys at Pine Knob with me later in June. Our hometown shows. A much better scene. A real Dead scene.
The Shakedown was good once the band got settled in and Healy dialed in the sound. The crowd busting on to the floor was a crazy sight. Thousands of Heads pushing their way against dozens of Security goons. Bertha->Greatest in the 3rd & 4th slot was a pleasant surprise. Deal rocked out some.
Overall, the 1st Set isn't that bad. It was pretty good "to the ear" at the show but much better on tape when you can actually listen to the music and not see all the shit that was going on before, during, and after the gig itself. If this Set was played at a different venue, say Cal Expo, it would've been a lot better reviewed.
The 2nd had it's moments. I remember it didn't do much for me in person but plays better listening to it after the fact. I think a lot of negative criticism of this show was more about the scene than the music itself. It wasn't the greatest but wasn't the worst. 3* Music
1* Scene & Vibe
Reviewer:
Anonymous
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
June 1, 2020
Subject: small hands
Subject: small hands
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
The Grateful Dead are American music
God bless America
trump is the virus
Humiliate the pig
Spread the good virus
Unite America don’t divide
All the money everywhere won’t help the trump virus
Defeat the trump virus
Use the power VOTE🇺🇸
🇺🇸Defeat the trump virus
America is burning because of trump
& his kind
Spread the good virus unity, peace, love
Thank you capsgd
I’ll try more not to upset you
Hope you enjoy the show
It’s all fake news
Right?
Peace to you capsgd
trump IS the virus
Be well don’t forget to wear your mask
Don’t let the trump virus kill you
You need to be alive to vote 🇺🇸
Defeat the trump virus
86
45
2020
The Grateful Dead are American music
God bless America
trump is the virus
Humiliate the pig
Spread the good virus
Unite America don’t divide
All the money everywhere won’t help the trump virus
Defeat the trump virus
Use the power VOTE🇺🇸
🇺🇸Defeat the trump virus
America is burning because of trump
& his kind
Spread the good virus unity, peace, love
Thank you capsgd
I’ll try more not to upset you
Hope you enjoy the show
It’s all fake news
Right?
Peace to you capsgd
trump IS the virus
Be well don’t forget to wear your mask
Don’t let the trump virus kill you
You need to be alive to vote 🇺🇸
Defeat the trump virus
86
45
2020
Reviewer:
MattDiGi
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
August 18, 2018
Subject: Greaseball security guard
Subject: Greaseball security guard
This was my very first Grateful Dead show. I was 18 then and still have fond and funny memories of this event. Me, my brother and our father attended this event. As with anyone's first show, it was like a colorful, vivid dream.(the huge mushroom cap a fellow dead head gave me in the men's room also helped) music was great, saw a lot of good people having a blast. But the one thing I will always remember was the fat, greasy security guard that caught the giant beach ball and popped it with his teeth. He was then pelted with marshmallows and then had a lemon icy thrown at him. One of the best laughs I will take to my grave!!!
Reviewer:
moxley
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
July 15, 2017
Subject: incredible sound quality - Strange dichotomy/vibes at show
Subject: incredible sound quality - Strange dichotomy/vibes at show
I was at this show, it was my first full show, I had caught the second set at the previous cal expo show and was stuck in the lot in Feb in Oakland - but this was my first real show and my first "dosed to the gills" show, so this one was interesting in a lot of ways for me.
The playing was very good for 91, but there were some very strange vibes at this show, so first I'll speak to the stuff surrounding the show and my story and then will get to the music.
So a bunch of us drove to the LA Colliseum from Lancaster CA. We parked on MLK and walked into the lot.
First thing I noticed was the heavy law enforcement presence compared to what I had seen at Cal Expo.. The lot scene was small, controlled and, comparatively paranoid in a way I wasn't used to... In addition to the visible LE presence, according to the people we talked to there were a lot of undercovers as well. We still scored multiple sheets and some very good bud, though not as easily as up north. Also purchased some delicious homemade food and clothing. Unfortunately my gf at the time decided the blotter was weak and shoved three more in my mouth unsolicited... She was wrong about it being weak, it was clean and strong, and it was alright in the end, it just made for an intense afternoon.
As we were getting ready to go in we got stamped with bear stamps on our wrists by people, and noticed a GIANT trash can at the security gate checkpoint that seemed to be filled with bags of weed, N02 balloons and various paraphernalia, food and other stuff that clearly belonged to people who shouldn't have lost it. that was being confiscated. MY lady put our stuff in her bra and underwear and no issues there.
As the show started it was hot and we were in the mezzanine section, so not on the floor. Not all of the cops were bad, but the ones who were doing security inside were quite harsh. The guys went into Shakedown, and It's a damn good 91 version because they're feeding off of the strange energy and cops and the behavior of some who were rushing to get to the floor. People keep talking about a riot during shakedown. There wasn't a riot, this was a bunch of people trying to get past a barrier onto the floor - which inspired a few groups of others in the stands to try to move up - because the stadium was undersold (it's a BIG place). Nonetheless, the cops and security were kind of harsh, and it ALL fed into a long Shakedown....Bill Graham later got on the mic and mentioned the fire marshal and people eventually chilled. .
There are some great moments. The digital soundboard recording sounds amazing, better than it did that day due to the acoustics of that huge stone space..
Ive already mentioned the Shakedown. The Bertha is a pretty damn good 91 version as well..."deal" is fantastic and jammy, loved the Foolish Heart, and the interaction on PITB before it segues into UJB is jazzilicious.
Drums and space were typical, someone threw a bag of weed into the air near us during a high point on "miracle" which was weird, as others have mentioned, the live mix was weird. I always assumed it was sue to my psychedlicized state, but Ive read other reviews that mention the swirling of the live sound... This recording sounds better than it did that day.
I had always loved the atmosphere at dead shows and though this one had some bad cop energy at times it was still magical for me - and I am eternally grateful to this site, to the uploader and all involved in procuring, processing and bringing this the great source tape to the masses, thank you Archive.org also for this phenomenal site that's been a mainstay all of us deadheads for around 20 years now.
The playing was very good for 91, but there were some very strange vibes at this show, so first I'll speak to the stuff surrounding the show and my story and then will get to the music.
So a bunch of us drove to the LA Colliseum from Lancaster CA. We parked on MLK and walked into the lot.
First thing I noticed was the heavy law enforcement presence compared to what I had seen at Cal Expo.. The lot scene was small, controlled and, comparatively paranoid in a way I wasn't used to... In addition to the visible LE presence, according to the people we talked to there were a lot of undercovers as well. We still scored multiple sheets and some very good bud, though not as easily as up north. Also purchased some delicious homemade food and clothing. Unfortunately my gf at the time decided the blotter was weak and shoved three more in my mouth unsolicited... She was wrong about it being weak, it was clean and strong, and it was alright in the end, it just made for an intense afternoon.
As we were getting ready to go in we got stamped with bear stamps on our wrists by people, and noticed a GIANT trash can at the security gate checkpoint that seemed to be filled with bags of weed, N02 balloons and various paraphernalia, food and other stuff that clearly belonged to people who shouldn't have lost it. that was being confiscated. MY lady put our stuff in her bra and underwear and no issues there.
As the show started it was hot and we were in the mezzanine section, so not on the floor. Not all of the cops were bad, but the ones who were doing security inside were quite harsh. The guys went into Shakedown, and It's a damn good 91 version because they're feeding off of the strange energy and cops and the behavior of some who were rushing to get to the floor. People keep talking about a riot during shakedown. There wasn't a riot, this was a bunch of people trying to get past a barrier onto the floor - which inspired a few groups of others in the stands to try to move up - because the stadium was undersold (it's a BIG place). Nonetheless, the cops and security were kind of harsh, and it ALL fed into a long Shakedown....Bill Graham later got on the mic and mentioned the fire marshal and people eventually chilled. .
There are some great moments. The digital soundboard recording sounds amazing, better than it did that day due to the acoustics of that huge stone space..
Ive already mentioned the Shakedown. The Bertha is a pretty damn good 91 version as well..."deal" is fantastic and jammy, loved the Foolish Heart, and the interaction on PITB before it segues into UJB is jazzilicious.
Drums and space were typical, someone threw a bag of weed into the air near us during a high point on "miracle" which was weird, as others have mentioned, the live mix was weird. I always assumed it was sue to my psychedlicized state, but Ive read other reviews that mention the swirling of the live sound... This recording sounds better than it did that day.
I had always loved the atmosphere at dead shows and though this one had some bad cop energy at times it was still magical for me - and I am eternally grateful to this site, to the uploader and all involved in procuring, processing and bringing this the great source tape to the masses, thank you Archive.org also for this phenomenal site that's been a mainstay all of us deadheads for around 20 years now.
Reviewer:
duppy91
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
June 1, 2016
Subject: Where does the time go?
Subject: Where does the time go?
Wow... 25 years ago today. Seems like it was yesterday. I remember this show well and I think it has stood the test of time. It has a rep as a bad show, and I wasn't too stoked with it at the time. I just blew it off as another mediocre dead show with a few obvious exceptions (one of my favorite shakedowns). I think the bad rep comes from people who were there and had to deal with all the crap that happened inside that day and the terrible sound. But listening to a SBD years later, I think this is one of the better shows of that era.
I won't rehash all the stuff that's already been posted, just give my story...
I lived in socal at the time and most of my deadhead friends were up in the bay area and didn't want to travel down for this show. I almost didn't go but a few days before the show I asked a guy I was working with at the time if he wanted to go. He hadn't seen the dead in 10 years (he was 12 years older than me and a "70's head" which was before my time) and he wanted to go but couldn't afford a ticket. i offered to buy him one and he was cool with that. i had seen the vegas shows in April and told him how good they were, so he really wanted to go. He was a hardcore vegan and I was slowly becoming a vegetarian, so he offered to make us a vegan lunch in exchange for the ticket. He used to be a personal chef for Michael Jackson so you can imagine how good that lunch was!
We left early not knowing what traffic would be like, and coming up from OC we hit no traffic until the offramp. Didn't see any heads running around on the freeway but we sure did on the streets. The lot scene was almost non existent, which was unusual. A heavy cop presence kept everything mellow. we were hoping to kill time in the lot while the opening band was on, but we ended up going in early because there' wasn't much going on outside. We were low in the stands, phil side, about 8 or 9 o'clock from the stage. Only thing I remember about the opening band was the dancers.
I think the show started late and the heads were getting a little pissed, but the shakedown was a killer. Bertha rocked too and pretty much the whole first set, except for Walkin Blues, which I don't like under any circumstances. and the Deal to close it out was a rocker.
After a longer than normal break, I was praying for a China-> Rider to open the 2nd set but got a Picasso Moon instead. Oh well, but at least its one of the the better ones you'll hear.
Other than the much appreciated UJB and Black Peter (I was REALLY into Workingmans Dead at this time) the 2nd set was pretty standard late 80's early 90's stuff, but done well. Cops cleared the lots quickly so no hanging out after the show.
I look back on this show with alot of good memories. One I remember was the girls sitting behind us. Typical cute blissed out hippie chicks that you saw at shows back then. Somewhere during the first set one of them tapped me on the back. I turned around and she bent over and told me what a great dancer I was and that she was watching me more than the band. I never paid too much attention to my dancing. I just did what i did and whatever, but I thought that was nice of her to say.
Not the best show, but like I said, better than a lot of people remember IMO. Thank you Jerry, for everything. My life was much better back then with the Dead in it.
I won't rehash all the stuff that's already been posted, just give my story...
I lived in socal at the time and most of my deadhead friends were up in the bay area and didn't want to travel down for this show. I almost didn't go but a few days before the show I asked a guy I was working with at the time if he wanted to go. He hadn't seen the dead in 10 years (he was 12 years older than me and a "70's head" which was before my time) and he wanted to go but couldn't afford a ticket. i offered to buy him one and he was cool with that. i had seen the vegas shows in April and told him how good they were, so he really wanted to go. He was a hardcore vegan and I was slowly becoming a vegetarian, so he offered to make us a vegan lunch in exchange for the ticket. He used to be a personal chef for Michael Jackson so you can imagine how good that lunch was!
We left early not knowing what traffic would be like, and coming up from OC we hit no traffic until the offramp. Didn't see any heads running around on the freeway but we sure did on the streets. The lot scene was almost non existent, which was unusual. A heavy cop presence kept everything mellow. we were hoping to kill time in the lot while the opening band was on, but we ended up going in early because there' wasn't much going on outside. We were low in the stands, phil side, about 8 or 9 o'clock from the stage. Only thing I remember about the opening band was the dancers.
I think the show started late and the heads were getting a little pissed, but the shakedown was a killer. Bertha rocked too and pretty much the whole first set, except for Walkin Blues, which I don't like under any circumstances. and the Deal to close it out was a rocker.
After a longer than normal break, I was praying for a China-> Rider to open the 2nd set but got a Picasso Moon instead. Oh well, but at least its one of the the better ones you'll hear.
Other than the much appreciated UJB and Black Peter (I was REALLY into Workingmans Dead at this time) the 2nd set was pretty standard late 80's early 90's stuff, but done well. Cops cleared the lots quickly so no hanging out after the show.
I look back on this show with alot of good memories. One I remember was the girls sitting behind us. Typical cute blissed out hippie chicks that you saw at shows back then. Somewhere during the first set one of them tapped me on the back. I turned around and she bent over and told me what a great dancer I was and that she was watching me more than the band. I never paid too much attention to my dancing. I just did what i did and whatever, but I thought that was nice of her to say.
Not the best show, but like I said, better than a lot of people remember IMO. Thank you Jerry, for everything. My life was much better back then with the Dead in it.
Reviewer:
Satori70
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
June 1, 2015
Subject: 'Here he comes and he's gone again'
Subject: 'Here he comes and he's gone again'
Wow !! Thank you to all the reviews. I love reading each and everyone of them while listening as it really gives you a different perspective than just streaming. First I want to say the sound quality here is just top notch A+! I know what people below are saying about '72 but man there's a few nice jams on this one. Some people will forever think such an such a year was the best, but each show had it's own mystique. Some shows with Janis, some with the Allman's, some with Dylan, and even some with Hornsby, the Dead were like no other. Summer shows are almost always spirited events, and this one is no different.
Shakedown has a great bounce to it. Super opener Walking showcasing some fantastic Bruce. Man, I wish Hornsby had just committed to full time and been the permanent choice. He is one hell of a player. Bertha is tight, and GSET is well played as well. Sometimes with a little distance and a fresh ear, the music is heard for what it was. Seems more than a few people reviewing were there and had a negative experience. Understood. 1991 in L.A. was a strange time. From my vantage 25 years later and not being there, this sounds grate! Not 5 star '69, but tight none the less. Nice QJ and seriously, that Deal is just fun.
Picasso Moon breaks out in the 2nd set nicely to Foolish Heart. Playin > UJB is also tight with some wonderful keys. Super tasty jams all around. Not sure how anyone could rate this only one star? D > S Miracle & Peter are all grate as well. Throwing Stones into NFA make a strong finish. Well played. The encore isn't a slouch either.
The boys are not in their 20's here. Pushing 50, they sound a little older and wiser than '72. Give it a fresh ear and it may put a smile on your face. I'm giving this four stars for a little balance. It's a 4 star effort and 5 star sound quality. Thank you to everyone involved in taping, preserving, and uploading.
Happy 50th Grateful Dead !
Shakedown has a great bounce to it. Super opener Walking showcasing some fantastic Bruce. Man, I wish Hornsby had just committed to full time and been the permanent choice. He is one hell of a player. Bertha is tight, and GSET is well played as well. Sometimes with a little distance and a fresh ear, the music is heard for what it was. Seems more than a few people reviewing were there and had a negative experience. Understood. 1991 in L.A. was a strange time. From my vantage 25 years later and not being there, this sounds grate! Not 5 star '69, but tight none the less. Nice QJ and seriously, that Deal is just fun.
Picasso Moon breaks out in the 2nd set nicely to Foolish Heart. Playin > UJB is also tight with some wonderful keys. Super tasty jams all around. Not sure how anyone could rate this only one star? D > S Miracle & Peter are all grate as well. Throwing Stones into NFA make a strong finish. Well played. The encore isn't a slouch either.
The boys are not in their 20's here. Pushing 50, they sound a little older and wiser than '72. Give it a fresh ear and it may put a smile on your face. I'm giving this four stars for a little balance. It's a 4 star effort and 5 star sound quality. Thank you to everyone involved in taping, preserving, and uploading.
Happy 50th Grateful Dead !
Reviewer:
hypercat
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
November 26, 2014
Subject: Psychedelic Jesus
Subject: Psychedelic Jesus
Awesome show with lots of strange. Driving south on the 110 from South Pasadena traffic was at a standstill with several miles left to go to the Coliseum. Heads in tie-dies running barefoot down the freeway between the cars. Scored some strong acid in the parking lot. Was seated on the field near the back. First set a massive crowd starts descending from the stands heading for the field. Everyone in the field seats is mesmerized. Security on the field rushes by to stop the onslaught from the stands. When the last security passes me, I rush for the stage and make it within 20 feet of Bruce Hornsby's piano. The statue of Jesus on his piano painted in tie-die colors sticks with me to this day.
Reviewer:
Allan Ostermann
-
favoritefavorite -
October 27, 2014
Subject: What a long, strange horrible trip
Subject: What a long, strange horrible trip
Actually I was sober for the show, so that sucked in the first place. The parking lot scene was this little, barb wired fenced-in area. Glad I wasn't looking for anything, cause, even sober, with the ever present security everywhere; I was paranoid even when doing nothing illegal.
The show itself sucked. When I saw the fans break down the literal walls onto the field, it wasn't, like fuck yeah, it was like, I swear to god there's gonna be a riot. Foreshadowing. Hell, the show was within blocks of the start of the riots, right in the epicenter of South Central.
For some strange reason, I remember liking Picasso Moon. Yep. Fucking strange day.
(Okay, just at least listen to the jam at the end of Picasso Moon, after the lyrical part. It sounds great).
The show itself sucked. When I saw the fans break down the literal walls onto the field, it wasn't, like fuck yeah, it was like, I swear to god there's gonna be a riot. Foreshadowing. Hell, the show was within blocks of the start of the riots, right in the epicenter of South Central.
For some strange reason, I remember liking Picasso Moon. Yep. Fucking strange day.
(Okay, just at least listen to the jam at the end of Picasso Moon, after the lyrical part. It sounds great).
Reviewer:
lcj72835
-
favoritefavoritefavorite -
October 26, 2014
Subject: GD Orchestra
Subject: GD Orchestra
My thoughts after listening to Picasso Moon thru UJB. I never really liked this lineup for various reasons but mainly it is just too busy. Vince(RIP)seems too loud for the amount that they are letting him play...he's playing way too much for that volume. Bruce is laying back more which I think works better. Phil is outstanding on Playing/UJ. Thanks to all who contribute to making such nice recordings available to the public.
Reviewer:
AZStormin
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
October 9, 2014
Subject: LA SHAKEDOWN: THE "COP SHOW"
Subject: LA SHAKEDOWN: THE "COP SHOW"
What a weird day it was at the L.A. Coliseum 6-1-91...and how great does that "Shakedown Street" sound? WOO-HOO! Soundtrack to a riot!
I didn't see any reviewer mention Rodney King, so I will. The video of King's beating by the LAPD had just been released in March, and that whole thing was hanging over everything in La-La Land, and the whole USA. The beginning of the video age, as it were.
Like crayZfingers, our merry band had driven all night from Phoenix, arriving in Los Angeles shortly after sun-up. I pulled the last couple hours behind the wheel of our buddy's 90-foot-long '70s-era Cadillac after serving as a pretty dubious designated shotgun rider through to 29 Palms or Indio, and I remember getting my first queasy feeling in the city on the 10 when I drove down some seen-it-before-in-the-movies dip under a pedestrian bridge/building overpass, just as AC/DC's "Back in Black" started on the car radio I'd flipped on to tune (back) into reality. Not knowing jack about LA, I just stayed on the 10 'til we hit the Pacific Ocean. Almost literally.
After a restless hour of trying to sleep on the beach (nyun-nyun-nyun-nyun), we reloaded and headed south on the 405 and came east on what turned out to be Slausen, made (in)famous by King-related police radio chatter recordings, and we stopped mid-way through South-Central to pick up snacks and beers. We were the only whites in sight, and I remember a couple of quick "Hi's" and a lot of wordless eye contact with other shoppers and store employees-- shared, knowing looks and acknowledging nods, as in, it's cool, we're all on the same side, especially now, especially 'round here. We pushed on to the Coliseum feeling both sad about the locals' cop reality and strangely exhilarated by the stop.
More props to crayZfingers, indeed, not all the LA cops were bad. At least outside the venue, where one cool young officer gave the guy ahead of me a chance, and a choice, after finding a baggie of gorgeous, jumbo 'shroom blooms sitting carefully atop the rest of the guy's fanny pack contents. The cop laughed, and told the dude he was welcome to return to the parking lot with his stuff and think things over before trying to go into the show. The guy apparently thought he was still at the April Vegas shows, where security had imposed a two-doob minimum at the gate--gonna be a long day, kids-- and in any case he panicked here in LA, and chose door number lose-your-treats. He lurched toward the ticket-takers, and the cop just shook his head and laughed and grabbed the 'shrooms as the guy went by, tossing them in the contraband barrel and leaving him free to 'wharf' the show.
Inside was a much different story, cop-wise. We were Jerry side, 2/3 the way up the stadium, just past 2 o'clock on the seating dial, and there were pairs of cops near every entryway. Smug, arrogant, Hollywood, Eric Estrada/"CHIPS" wannabes, with tailored unis, razor cuts, designer shades, and attitude. So many cops...it looked like a rock show in the old USSR or North Korea, like the authorities expected some violent types instead of Deadheads. Well, they got (provoked) what they expected. "Shakedown" was an incredible sight and sound (yay Bruce), watching the sea of humanity go over the partially-collapsed chain-link fence to the floor, about four/five o'clock on the seating dial, while security, maybe trying to impress the cops, literally threw people back over the fence and otherwise whomped on them while the band jammed. You'd look back at the stage, and Jerry and the gang were all watching the riot, too, and playing to/off it. I swear Jerry did some extra "just gotta poke arounds" to encourage the kids to make it to the promised land. It was an incredible moment in GD time. Best viewed from the safety of the stands.
The band continued the theme, Bob with "Walkin' (over the fence) Blues", and Jerry with (throw me in the jailhouse) "Bertha" -- great version. And, as soon as "Candyman" started, people were jazzed and howling, and, with apologies to ulikunkel, those were virtual shotguns our part of the stadium pointed and mock-fired at officers unfriendly during the "Mr. Benson" verse. A measure of virtual revenge. And a sweet version, too.
Like Desdave, OthrOne, and Bruce M, I remember all too well the obese, psychotic guard with baby blue "SECURITY" shirt stretched to the limit, who attacked and tackled beach ball after beach ball with teeth, knife, gusto, anything he could muster. That guy was a scary and ridiculous piece of work. Like Joe Jackson sang, if looks (and vibes) could kill, there was a man there who was marked down as dead. He got "Candymanned" thousands of times over.
The show never really recovered after all the mayhem, or rather, I found it hard to focus/get the good vibes going. It was cool seeing Bill Graham take the stage and mic--but not to have him lecture us like a high school vice-principal about the Fire Marshal, given that the riot blame could be laid fairly at not only the kids' and over-reacting security's feet, but at BGP's as well, for not making the show General Admission. BGP sold maybe 35K tix in a 90K seat venue, and the grand canyon of open space and empty seats on the floor just cried out to be filled, especially since the cheap PA set-up meant crappy sound on the sides.
In any case the weather was SoCal pleasant and I had some fun with the swaying palm trees and ragged, melting California Bear flag along the way. The cherry on this sour Saturday sundae, though, was the band closing the 2nd set with NFA, meaning there would be no drama about the encore (here comes OMSN) and we felt like we basically got shorted one song. By that point our group of played-out vagabonds had wandered all the way to the top at the back-most part of the Coliseum, dead-center 6 o'clock on the dial, standing on the wall, leaning back against the slightly sagging chain-link fence, taking it all in, the show scene, and the city of angels. Bob would make the OMSN diss up to us in grand-- GRAND! style on 12-28-91, but we couldn't know that yet, as the sun set and we bummed.
So thank F-in G for Steve Barbella, John Valter, Paul Bottiglio, and Internet Archive, for preserving and making available such a great recording of this show, which contains so much great playing. It reminds me of the GD Movie scene where Jerry talks about a time he thought the music was F-ed and pushed Phil down a little flight of stairs after a gig, only to hear the show tapes later and discover the music was crackling hot. The day in L.A. may have mainly sucked and been full of weirdness, but the music is sweet and we'll have it forever to go along with our mixed bag of memories. Just gotta poke around.
Five stars because it's still a free country (Thanks, Obama!) and for a killer Shakedown and lots of great Jerry. Like Rex in TS2, I don't need to play it -- I've lived it! But I play it often, 'cause it's so sweet. Got the jamming "Deal" rave-up crankin' right now.
JERRYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!
I didn't see any reviewer mention Rodney King, so I will. The video of King's beating by the LAPD had just been released in March, and that whole thing was hanging over everything in La-La Land, and the whole USA. The beginning of the video age, as it were.
Like crayZfingers, our merry band had driven all night from Phoenix, arriving in Los Angeles shortly after sun-up. I pulled the last couple hours behind the wheel of our buddy's 90-foot-long '70s-era Cadillac after serving as a pretty dubious designated shotgun rider through to 29 Palms or Indio, and I remember getting my first queasy feeling in the city on the 10 when I drove down some seen-it-before-in-the-movies dip under a pedestrian bridge/building overpass, just as AC/DC's "Back in Black" started on the car radio I'd flipped on to tune (back) into reality. Not knowing jack about LA, I just stayed on the 10 'til we hit the Pacific Ocean. Almost literally.
After a restless hour of trying to sleep on the beach (nyun-nyun-nyun-nyun), we reloaded and headed south on the 405 and came east on what turned out to be Slausen, made (in)famous by King-related police radio chatter recordings, and we stopped mid-way through South-Central to pick up snacks and beers. We were the only whites in sight, and I remember a couple of quick "Hi's" and a lot of wordless eye contact with other shoppers and store employees-- shared, knowing looks and acknowledging nods, as in, it's cool, we're all on the same side, especially now, especially 'round here. We pushed on to the Coliseum feeling both sad about the locals' cop reality and strangely exhilarated by the stop.
More props to crayZfingers, indeed, not all the LA cops were bad. At least outside the venue, where one cool young officer gave the guy ahead of me a chance, and a choice, after finding a baggie of gorgeous, jumbo 'shroom blooms sitting carefully atop the rest of the guy's fanny pack contents. The cop laughed, and told the dude he was welcome to return to the parking lot with his stuff and think things over before trying to go into the show. The guy apparently thought he was still at the April Vegas shows, where security had imposed a two-doob minimum at the gate--gonna be a long day, kids-- and in any case he panicked here in LA, and chose door number lose-your-treats. He lurched toward the ticket-takers, and the cop just shook his head and laughed and grabbed the 'shrooms as the guy went by, tossing them in the contraband barrel and leaving him free to 'wharf' the show.
Inside was a much different story, cop-wise. We were Jerry side, 2/3 the way up the stadium, just past 2 o'clock on the seating dial, and there were pairs of cops near every entryway. Smug, arrogant, Hollywood, Eric Estrada/"CHIPS" wannabes, with tailored unis, razor cuts, designer shades, and attitude. So many cops...it looked like a rock show in the old USSR or North Korea, like the authorities expected some violent types instead of Deadheads. Well, they got (provoked) what they expected. "Shakedown" was an incredible sight and sound (yay Bruce), watching the sea of humanity go over the partially-collapsed chain-link fence to the floor, about four/five o'clock on the seating dial, while security, maybe trying to impress the cops, literally threw people back over the fence and otherwise whomped on them while the band jammed. You'd look back at the stage, and Jerry and the gang were all watching the riot, too, and playing to/off it. I swear Jerry did some extra "just gotta poke arounds" to encourage the kids to make it to the promised land. It was an incredible moment in GD time. Best viewed from the safety of the stands.
The band continued the theme, Bob with "Walkin' (over the fence) Blues", and Jerry with (throw me in the jailhouse) "Bertha" -- great version. And, as soon as "Candyman" started, people were jazzed and howling, and, with apologies to ulikunkel, those were virtual shotguns our part of the stadium pointed and mock-fired at officers unfriendly during the "Mr. Benson" verse. A measure of virtual revenge. And a sweet version, too.
Like Desdave, OthrOne, and Bruce M, I remember all too well the obese, psychotic guard with baby blue "SECURITY" shirt stretched to the limit, who attacked and tackled beach ball after beach ball with teeth, knife, gusto, anything he could muster. That guy was a scary and ridiculous piece of work. Like Joe Jackson sang, if looks (and vibes) could kill, there was a man there who was marked down as dead. He got "Candymanned" thousands of times over.
The show never really recovered after all the mayhem, or rather, I found it hard to focus/get the good vibes going. It was cool seeing Bill Graham take the stage and mic--but not to have him lecture us like a high school vice-principal about the Fire Marshal, given that the riot blame could be laid fairly at not only the kids' and over-reacting security's feet, but at BGP's as well, for not making the show General Admission. BGP sold maybe 35K tix in a 90K seat venue, and the grand canyon of open space and empty seats on the floor just cried out to be filled, especially since the cheap PA set-up meant crappy sound on the sides.
In any case the weather was SoCal pleasant and I had some fun with the swaying palm trees and ragged, melting California Bear flag along the way. The cherry on this sour Saturday sundae, though, was the band closing the 2nd set with NFA, meaning there would be no drama about the encore (here comes OMSN) and we felt like we basically got shorted one song. By that point our group of played-out vagabonds had wandered all the way to the top at the back-most part of the Coliseum, dead-center 6 o'clock on the dial, standing on the wall, leaning back against the slightly sagging chain-link fence, taking it all in, the show scene, and the city of angels. Bob would make the OMSN diss up to us in grand-- GRAND! style on 12-28-91, but we couldn't know that yet, as the sun set and we bummed.
So thank F-in G for Steve Barbella, John Valter, Paul Bottiglio, and Internet Archive, for preserving and making available such a great recording of this show, which contains so much great playing. It reminds me of the GD Movie scene where Jerry talks about a time he thought the music was F-ed and pushed Phil down a little flight of stairs after a gig, only to hear the show tapes later and discover the music was crackling hot. The day in L.A. may have mainly sucked and been full of weirdness, but the music is sweet and we'll have it forever to go along with our mixed bag of memories. Just gotta poke around.
Five stars because it's still a free country (Thanks, Obama!) and for a killer Shakedown and lots of great Jerry. Like Rex in TS2, I don't need to play it -- I've lived it! But I play it often, 'cause it's so sweet. Got the jamming "Deal" rave-up crankin' right now.
JERRYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!
Reviewer:
kymmie
-
favoritefavoritefavorite -
June 2, 2014
Subject: Good music, bad vibes
Subject: Good music, bad vibes
I also remember the harsh security and bad vibes at this show. I was living in the UK at that time and came home for an extended visit - this show was the last of 7, after Sacramento and Shoreline, and was a rude awakening to the realities of Los Angeles. After the comparative mellow environments of the previous venues, the Colesium was full of "party hardy" concertgoers and "keep 'em in line bully-style" security. Thankfully I was up in the stands and out of the line of fire. Enjoyed the music, but the energy was lacking and the rough atmosphere seemed to carry on to the band. That said, I have enjoyed listening to this again - glad for all the shows I have seen, great and not so great. Guess we all have bad days!
Reviewer:
MichaelTurner-sfs
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favoritefavoritefavorite -
June 2, 2014
Subject: Weird, but Intense
Subject: Weird, but Intense
What a strange day. I drove down from Sonoma County to catch the show with some friends - and eager to see Hornsby again on keys again. The crowd was rowdy and into partying hard. There were a ton of cops. A couple of songs into the first set, the back wing of the stadium emptied out en masse onto the field, pouring down like some hippie procession - USC security guys freaking as they were being swarmed - Uncle Bobo during the break telling us the fire marshall almost stopped the show and asking people to return to their reserved seats - some idiot next to me yelling "There are more of us than there are of them!" (I suggested he do something anatomically impossible) - visions of riot in a stadium with heavily tripping people hemmed in by cops everywhere. And in the midst of it all, the Dead were like the Pied Piper of Hamlin - the more people poured onto the field, the more intense the played; and the more intense they played, the more people flooded onto the field. Most fascinating, in a slightly scary kind of way. Songwise, most of the first set was very good, and the pre-drums in the second was really solid - best Picasso I've ever seen, in fact. One other memory - bumper sticker seen while parking: "Don't play with your Peter, Jerry; just Dew us!" - and then we got Black Peter.
Reviewer:
80sdeadchild
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
June 1, 2014
Subject: Seeking summer
Subject: Seeking summer
FYI: this was the first show played on June 1 since the late 60's. I think they guys sound smooth and togehter; but I've only listened to the first part of the first set so far. I'm usually suspect of 90's shows, thinking they can be good or not so good depending on what was going on with the band that day; but this show sounds sweet so far.
Reviewer:
Bruce Matzkin
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favoritefavoritefavorite -
November 29, 2013
Subject: I remember the fat shit security kid that OthrOne talks about
Subject: I remember the fat shit security kid that OthrOne talks about
I was pretty far up on the Jerry side... this greaseball would keep finding fans straggling out of the rows into aisles and dancing, and he'd grab them and literally hoist them back into the row, and yes, he would always be looking around to see who was watching him act this way. THEN, he would take his comb out of his back pocket and run it through his greasy hair. I remember wanting to go down and get in his face. The venue really did suck and the security simply killed any vibe. Thankfully a recording of the music this doesn't reflect that.
Reviewer:
dead raisin
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
August 19, 2013
Subject: last Dead Show
Subject: last Dead Show
last show I ever saw! best seat too!! front row Dead Center ! Thanx to GDP for the best seat in the house!! best Shakedown that I've heard personally.within spitting distance from Bobbie.locals like myself got most of the best seats by mailorder,and I am GRATEFUL!!
Reviewer:
zzzboxofrainzzz
-
-
June 1, 2012
Subject: Other than Picasso Moon, I like this show
Subject: Other than Picasso Moon, I like this show
Reading the reviews I am reminded why I only give star ratings to shows I attended- -you need to have been there to rate "the show" as opposed to the music. And while the music is very important to "the show", I've had some amazingly magical times at shows that weren't the greatest musical performances. Likewise, I've had some not so magical times at shows where the music was magically wonderful.
In any event, the soundboard on this one sounds good. The pace on most of the tunes is upbeat and crisp. And other than Picasso Moon [just play Hell In a Bucket- -it's pretty much the same tune but with better lyrics and more jamming] and Walking Blues [sorry, but I've always struggled with Little Red Rooster and Walking Blues - - but "get" Bobby's need to find tunes to fill the Minglewood and CC Rider spot in the rotation], I like the song selection. And really enjoyed Jerry's lead on Candy Man.
Long story short, based on the venue and reviewers comments, glad I wasn't at the Coliseum for this one. BUT, very glad there's a nice soundboard available :)
In any event, the soundboard on this one sounds good. The pace on most of the tunes is upbeat and crisp. And other than Picasso Moon [just play Hell In a Bucket- -it's pretty much the same tune but with better lyrics and more jamming] and Walking Blues [sorry, but I've always struggled with Little Red Rooster and Walking Blues - - but "get" Bobby's need to find tunes to fill the Minglewood and CC Rider spot in the rotation], I like the song selection. And really enjoyed Jerry's lead on Candy Man.
Long story short, based on the venue and reviewers comments, glad I wasn't at the Coliseum for this one. BUT, very glad there's a nice soundboard available :)
Reviewer:
wolfgang#1
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favoritefavoritefavorite -
February 11, 2012
Subject: garcia- durango, colorado
Subject: garcia- durango, colorado
We had good seats...But progressed to the floor! I heared that the L.A.P.D. almost stopped the opening song(Shakedown Street), to control the Deadhead throng. Good piece of GD history.
Reviewer:
AnotherPickyDeadhead
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favoritefavorite -
April 9, 2011
Subject: Grateful Dead at the LA Coliseum
Subject: Grateful Dead at the LA Coliseum
Of the hundred or so dead shows I saw from 1981-1995 this is by far the worst. Day tripped it from Santa Barbara; we had floor seats, in the third section back. Sound sucked, the sets were insipid. It was just more boring than anything else. Broad daylight, no light show. When the folks on the floor finally had had enough of standing at their seats, they began to step lively and rush the stage; I told my girlfriend and her friend I'd be back in ten minutes and grabbed my Canon SLR and jumped into the stream of quickly-walking heads. I shot a roll standing behind the 10th row. Sun-lit faces; some of the best shots of the boys I ever took. One of the few shows I saw which most of my Deadhead friends did not. Questionable-looking official shirts as well. Lots of parking though. Went to the In-n-Out in Encino on the way home to Santa Barbara that night.
Reviewer:
zleary
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favoritefavoritefavorite -
February 24, 2011
Subject: 20/20 in hindsight
Subject: 20/20 in hindsight
Wow, listening to this now it sounds pretty damn good. That's a pretty tight Deal no doubt.
But at the time it was nothing short of a catastrophe. By far the worst Grateful Dead concert I attended. As far as I recall it was the Deads and BGP's fault just as much as anyone. The sound was TERRIBLE. I mean, TERRIBLE. If you were sitting in the bowl you simply couldn't hear. It was as if they brought the PA for the near by Sports Arena and not for the cavernous LA Coliseum which seats 100,000!!! If the sound were great all of the heads wouldn't have flooded the floors thus creating mass panic and a security nightmare.
And no GA for a 100,000 seater. The poor sound, no GA, too many cops downtown and ass kicking Staff Pro all combined made for an accident waiting to happen. I never really understood why the usual tight ship of GDP and BGP has this one so messed up.
Anyway, the music is sure sounding good on this stream. I had no idea and i was there:)
But at the time it was nothing short of a catastrophe. By far the worst Grateful Dead concert I attended. As far as I recall it was the Deads and BGP's fault just as much as anyone. The sound was TERRIBLE. I mean, TERRIBLE. If you were sitting in the bowl you simply couldn't hear. It was as if they brought the PA for the near by Sports Arena and not for the cavernous LA Coliseum which seats 100,000!!! If the sound were great all of the heads wouldn't have flooded the floors thus creating mass panic and a security nightmare.
And no GA for a 100,000 seater. The poor sound, no GA, too many cops downtown and ass kicking Staff Pro all combined made for an accident waiting to happen. I never really understood why the usual tight ship of GDP and BGP has this one so messed up.
Anyway, the music is sure sounding good on this stream. I had no idea and i was there:)
Reviewer:
birdsong4all
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favoritefavoritefavorite -
November 18, 2010
Subject: tight music unpleasant vibe
Subject: tight music unpleasant vibe
impressions of this show are heavily dependent on 1) location inside the stadium and 2) involvement with law enforcement. From my perspective not bad ... not the best but certainly not the worst!
I pulled 3rd row seats from the mail order. My friend drove in from Ventura -- I came up from Long Beach. She was late so I left her tix @ will call & settled in 3rd row (about as far back as 10th or 15th row @ other venues!) 'tween Jerry & Bobby.
Toward the end of "Walkin Blues" I looked up ansd saw my friend's 3 year old daughter being passed towards me from in front of the stage , with her mom right behind her, climbing over the rows. I saw Staff Pro behind that -- there was no access to our seats due to all of the "extra" people in the front! Security took them to the FRONT and advised climbing over rows because there was no access via traditional means to our sMeats.
Music was tight but the LA Vibe was not pleasant!
usic was
I pulled 3rd row seats from the mail order. My friend drove in from Ventura -- I came up from Long Beach. She was late so I left her tix @ will call & settled in 3rd row (about as far back as 10th or 15th row @ other venues!) 'tween Jerry & Bobby.
Toward the end of "Walkin Blues" I looked up ansd saw my friend's 3 year old daughter being passed towards me from in front of the stage , with her mom right behind her, climbing over the rows. I saw Staff Pro behind that -- there was no access to our seats due to all of the "extra" people in the front! Security took them to the FRONT and advised climbing over rows because there was no access via traditional means to our sMeats.
Music was tight but the LA Vibe was not pleasant!
usic was
Reviewer:
OthrOne
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favoritefavoritefavorite -
April 1, 2010
Subject: deja Vu
Subject: deja Vu
<< Reviewer: Desdave -...Security was not amused, nor were they about to let a bunch of skinny hippies get onto the floor. They put up a helluva fight. One big mean blue shirt grabbed a beach ball and destroyed it with his teeth!!!! >>
I remember seeing the same thing. A big tubby SOB, who was hitting girls and young kids, but always checked his back to make sure 'nobody was looking'. Jerry-side. 40 yrd line. Not to dwell on negativity, but it was reality.
After the previous 3 weeks of amazing, blissful shows; this (IMHO) was the first show of the end of the Dead. Summer '91 was sooo good that the scene grew exponentially but, with the ever growing chaos outside, the band's playing dwindled till it all bottomed out at Deer Creek in '95 Those Dickheads & Asshats.. you know who you are..jerks! Thanks for ruining it for the rest of us. Selfish Blockheads.
(There, I said it.)
Soldier Field was just the KOD.
Sometimes I want to think Jerry is alive, clean, skinny, and scuba diving in the deep south pacific.. but alas, fame and heroin never gives up it's victims.
I remember seeing the same thing. A big tubby SOB, who was hitting girls and young kids, but always checked his back to make sure 'nobody was looking'. Jerry-side. 40 yrd line. Not to dwell on negativity, but it was reality.
After the previous 3 weeks of amazing, blissful shows; this (IMHO) was the first show of the end of the Dead. Summer '91 was sooo good that the scene grew exponentially but, with the ever growing chaos outside, the band's playing dwindled till it all bottomed out at Deer Creek in '95 Those Dickheads & Asshats.. you know who you are..jerks! Thanks for ruining it for the rest of us. Selfish Blockheads.
(There, I said it.)
Soldier Field was just the KOD.
Sometimes I want to think Jerry is alive, clean, skinny, and scuba diving in the deep south pacific.. but alas, fame and heroin never gives up it's victims.
Reviewer:
godless1
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favoritefavoritefavorite -
February 21, 2010
Subject: great time,not so great sound
Subject: great time,not so great sound
Five of us came up from S.D. with a couple of girls who had been following them all summer.We stayed at a friends house in L.A. the night before and got ripped on all the cid we were saving for the show, while watchin Monty Pythons Holy Grail!We laughed thru the whole night. Major hangover on show day, bought bad sheet and bad shrooms which really sucked. But had weed and got some whipits and pulled ourselves together in time to help crash onto the floor(why they didn't just let it be festival from the get go is beyond me).We never had a problem with the cops, as they just kind of gave up to the throng of people.The music on here sounds a lot better than I remembered tho. have to agree with others on here as to the selection of songs. Still you can never complain too much when it's the Dead.
Reviewer:
The Grover
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favoritefavoritefavorite -
July 16, 2009
Subject: Nuttiness at it's best
Subject: Nuttiness at it's best
Besides 10 foot plexi glass barriers, LAPD in uniform and a couple of squished cops that got crushed when the plexi walls came down...not a bad show. Shakedown!! Woo Hoo! Throwing Stones was superb!! About time they let the Dead play in LA again. A lot of people talk about how awful this show was. I was 10 rows from the stage and heard nothing but loveliness. The sweeps at the break to remove all the floor crashers was a unique experience. Watched the guy next to me get carried away by security... but he was out cold as is, so I'm fairly sure he didn't remember any of it. Good times!! Not bad for my first concert..EVER
Reviewer:
crayZfingers
-
-
March 21, 2009
Subject: I didnt have a good time
Subject: I didnt have a good time
Factors, Drove all night from Phoenix taking turns driving, I dont think anyone slept very well. We arrived near the arena about 7AM.
I cant remember if it was Reserved seating on the floor. My friends and I sat on Phil side in the stands. I dont know why we sat in the stands, I dont remember if it was reserved seating.
Shakedown Opener was welcome but the sound sucked. We watched all the stands empty out and everyone go down to the floor.
There was lot of open space on the floor for dancing. I was afraid to go down there because I was holding something frowned upon by law enforcement and the LAPD was a major buzzkill.
Note: LAPD wasnt all bad that day. There was one or two friendly cops. One female cop I remember actually played a round of hacky sack with some dreadlock hippies. I was still intimidated as, I was there the night a Deadhead died at the Forum a year or two before, and remember how evil the cops were that night. It was as if they were trying to cover something up.
I endured the sucky sound all through the show. It got better sound towards the back of the arena, after drums/space
After the show we ran into some friends, They invited us to stay with them. So, we cancelled our hotel accomodations and spent the night at their home in San Bernardino. We had a great time hanging out there.
Thank Goodness for this Soundboard recording. It actually sounds a lot better than I remember it.
I cant remember if it was Reserved seating on the floor. My friends and I sat on Phil side in the stands. I dont know why we sat in the stands, I dont remember if it was reserved seating.
Shakedown Opener was welcome but the sound sucked. We watched all the stands empty out and everyone go down to the floor.
There was lot of open space on the floor for dancing. I was afraid to go down there because I was holding something frowned upon by law enforcement and the LAPD was a major buzzkill.
Note: LAPD wasnt all bad that day. There was one or two friendly cops. One female cop I remember actually played a round of hacky sack with some dreadlock hippies. I was still intimidated as, I was there the night a Deadhead died at the Forum a year or two before, and remember how evil the cops were that night. It was as if they were trying to cover something up.
I endured the sucky sound all through the show. It got better sound towards the back of the arena, after drums/space
After the show we ran into some friends, They invited us to stay with them. So, we cancelled our hotel accomodations and spent the night at their home in San Bernardino. We had a great time hanging out there.
Thank Goodness for this Soundboard recording. It actually sounds a lot better than I remember it.
Reviewer:
drspark61
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
March 7, 2009
Subject: Oops
Subject: Oops
I selected the wrong rating below, so I'll give it a 4 here so it averages out.
Reviewer:
AkUsEd
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
March 7, 2009
Subject: My first show
Subject: My first show
This was my first show and went to 10 after.
No matter what it will be the best,even if the LA crowd was wack Just seeing for myself @ 15 yrs old what my MOM & DAD saw!!!!!!!!Perfect opener for the VIBE in LA @ the Time!
No matter what it will be the best,even if the LA crowd was wack Just seeing for myself @ 15 yrs old what my MOM & DAD saw!!!!!!!!Perfect opener for the VIBE in LA @ the Time!
Reviewer:
stoner mulholland
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favorite -
December 3, 2007
Subject: 91'' was the last great year....
Subject: 91'' was the last great year....
im from l.a....and let me say this was the worst show of 91''...but that was it!!! the rest of this year kicks ass!!!..i was in the taper section for the l.a. show and the problem was the fans that stormed down from the sides and the back....l.a. fans at times can be so rude...and we ended up with a crappy show....but once the dead hit the road the magic soon came back!!! check out the sandstone shows....the 91 ''tour was magical..dark star being teased the whole tour...until we got it in the first set at shoreline.....it was a great year minus the l.a.show...
Reviewer:
dirty jev-o
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
October 8, 2007
Subject: this good
Subject: this good
ole grateful dead----very crispy board recording of a band i love when they are mellow or hyped!
some of you people can't get the sound of the stadium out of yer head to review the recording here
here
here
some of you people can't get the sound of the stadium out of yer head to review the recording here
here
here
Reviewer:
FuzzyTom
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June 1, 2007
Subject: Not as bad as they say
Subject: Not as bad as they say
This show is not as bad as everyone says it is. Sure its not the dead from 72 or 77, but its still good music. Most of the people that give this show bad reviews are people that went to the concert and left with bad vibes due to the atmosphere at the venue. The sound quality for this show is very good and the music, though not one of their best from 91, is still good nonetheless.
Really like the nice smooth transition from Playin>UJB. Queen Jane also sounds very good. Picasso Moon actually doesn't sound too bad either.
-FuzzyTom
Really like the nice smooth transition from Playin>UJB. Queen Jane also sounds very good. Picasso Moon actually doesn't sound too bad either.
-FuzzyTom
Reviewer:
gankmore
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June 1, 2007
Subject: Really an excellent show
Subject: Really an excellent show
I don't know why this show is so poorly thought-of. Seems like a lot of the reviews are by folks in attendance who didn't have a good time.
I wasn't there, but this is a really excellent soundboard, and the cassette hit in the lineage really isn't all problematic.
There's some really excellent Garcia/Hornsby interaction here. Phil sounds great too. Bertha > GSET and Queen Jane are all really lovely. And what's not to like about this Foolish?
Give it a listen. Not the top of the 1991 heap, but still very good.
I wasn't there, but this is a really excellent soundboard, and the cassette hit in the lineage really isn't all problematic.
There's some really excellent Garcia/Hornsby interaction here. Phil sounds great too. Bertha > GSET and Queen Jane are all really lovely. And what's not to like about this Foolish?
Give it a listen. Not the top of the 1991 heap, but still very good.
Reviewer:
ulikunkel
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June 1, 2007
Subject: ???
Subject: ???
After enjoying pretty strong shows in Vegas, Cal Expo, and Shoreline, this one was a real headscratcher for me. I also remember the intense (and at points nearly unbearable) swirling of the mix around the ENORMOUS arena, and the utter animosity between the 87 bizillion fans and the LAPD "security" (probably not the best idea considering that this show occured in the wake of the whole Rodney King - I remember the cops totally baiting the crowd, and a number of folks pointing pistol fingers at the cops during the "blow you straight to hell" line in Candyman.) There was also a giant swarm of bees that flew through the park before the show and a bunch of Krusty the Clown "paper" circulating that made the weirdness of the scene and the mediocrity of the show even more confusing.
Reviewer:
rtheygonadopepperitstheonlyoneilike
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favorite -
March 6, 2007
Subject: dead 6/1/91
Subject: dead 6/1/91
this was my last show,i was in the tapers section what a waste of tape! As I drove home listening to the show I realized it was over a long time ago,so i threw in something from 72 and was thankful for that
Reviewer:
Desdave
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June 28, 2006
Subject: Strange, Intense Day.
Subject: Strange, Intense Day.
This was only my second dead show. I went to Carson in 90, and my dad wouldnt let me go to Vegas in early 1991 with my buddies... likely due to the huge pupils I had when i came home from Carson. I was 17 at the time, and to go to this show I had to fib and say i was going to Disneyland with my girlfriend.
It was hot, and there was a ton of paper floating around in the lot, and we indulged perhaps a wee bit on the too much side. Girlfriend, her friend and I nearly loose our marbles listening to the recording as you neared the gate to get in... "No bottles.... No cans.... No druuuuuuuggssss... No Beeeeeeach balllssss...." Melting in a big way, and it was an hour before the show.
Once inside we checked out the opening band, Johnny Clegg and Savuka... then came the dead.
Sheer intensity in the big city. Most of the people in the stands worked there way down to the floor, and breached the seemingly impenetrable security forces. Re-enforcments arrived (read: LAPD) and it got fairly testy. I sat in my seat laughing my ass off... the band seemed to be, almost on an ESP level, telling the fans to come on down... I gave it a try, but these guys seriously looked like they were gonna kill someone.
...Security was not amused, nor were they about to let a bunch of skinny hippies get onto the floor. They put up a helluva fight. One big mean blue shirt grabbed a beach ball and destroyed it with his teeth!!!! It eventually calmed down, but for a while it was fairly intense. Bill Graham spoke at the break and threeatened to stop the show if the weirdness continued.
The music was swirly all day long. Seemed to come out of one side of the stadium and work its way across the field back into the other stack... to be regeneraated into the next trippy sound to be sent out into the cosmos. It was like the audio version of the wave.
They never came back to the Coliseum... probably not a bad idea. In fact, they didnt come closer than Vegas to LA for several years after this 'event'
I have heard pure trash talked about this show since the day it happened, but the tapes sure say different. While not a GREAT show, it isnt trash, and is fairly tightly played... and extremely well recorded.
When i got home, still flying as high as the Eiffel Tower, my dad was in the hall to great me with the news that the mom of my girlfriend had called wondering when we were coming home from the dead show... Doh! busted, yet again. This would not be the first time my infatuation with this pack of freaks got me into hot water with the pops.
It was hot, and there was a ton of paper floating around in the lot, and we indulged perhaps a wee bit on the too much side. Girlfriend, her friend and I nearly loose our marbles listening to the recording as you neared the gate to get in... "No bottles.... No cans.... No druuuuuuuggssss... No Beeeeeeach balllssss...." Melting in a big way, and it was an hour before the show.
Once inside we checked out the opening band, Johnny Clegg and Savuka... then came the dead.
Sheer intensity in the big city. Most of the people in the stands worked there way down to the floor, and breached the seemingly impenetrable security forces. Re-enforcments arrived (read: LAPD) and it got fairly testy. I sat in my seat laughing my ass off... the band seemed to be, almost on an ESP level, telling the fans to come on down... I gave it a try, but these guys seriously looked like they were gonna kill someone.
...Security was not amused, nor were they about to let a bunch of skinny hippies get onto the floor. They put up a helluva fight. One big mean blue shirt grabbed a beach ball and destroyed it with his teeth!!!! It eventually calmed down, but for a while it was fairly intense. Bill Graham spoke at the break and threeatened to stop the show if the weirdness continued.
The music was swirly all day long. Seemed to come out of one side of the stadium and work its way across the field back into the other stack... to be regeneraated into the next trippy sound to be sent out into the cosmos. It was like the audio version of the wave.
They never came back to the Coliseum... probably not a bad idea. In fact, they didnt come closer than Vegas to LA for several years after this 'event'
I have heard pure trash talked about this show since the day it happened, but the tapes sure say different. While not a GREAT show, it isnt trash, and is fairly tightly played... and extremely well recorded.
When i got home, still flying as high as the Eiffel Tower, my dad was in the hall to great me with the news that the mom of my girlfriend had called wondering when we were coming home from the dead show... Doh! busted, yet again. This would not be the first time my infatuation with this pack of freaks got me into hot water with the pops.
Reviewer:
Andrew M.
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June 2, 2006
Subject: My first show...
Subject: My first show...
And my first time listening to it since then, now 15 years later... better than I guessed it was...
I was 16 at the time and went to this show w/ several buddies of mine, including one who blew off his high school graduation to go to the Dead show... I knew only a few Dead songs, and recognized maybe two of the songs played this day (Shakedown and UJB), but had one hell of a time, and after 100 more shows in the next 4 years, this wasn't a bad one to kick it off...
I was 16 at the time and went to this show w/ several buddies of mine, including one who blew off his high school graduation to go to the Dead show... I knew only a few Dead songs, and recognized maybe two of the songs played this day (Shakedown and UJB), but had one hell of a time, and after 100 more shows in the next 4 years, this wasn't a bad one to kick it off...
Reviewer:
gregling
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favorite -
January 30, 2006
Subject: worst show ever
Subject: worst show ever
I was here at the end of a long string of shows and it took me almost a year to get this terrible taste out of my mouth.
I have always enjoyed mediocre shows for something or other, but this one made me think it was all over...like there would never be a decent show again.
As much as I like Bruce, this show really made me miss Brent!
I have always enjoyed mediocre shows for something or other, but this one made me think it was all over...like there would never be a decent show again.
As much as I like Bruce, this show really made me miss Brent!
Reviewer:
tomthumb
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May 12, 2005
Subject: wow - much better than I remember
Subject: wow - much better than I remember
On a whim, decided to stream this show today at work. Just finished the Shakedown St. and it was MUCH better than I remember from that day.
Really good - might I say _inspired_ jamming that was true to form throughout 1991.
Give it a listen!
Really good - might I say _inspired_ jamming that was true to form throughout 1991.
Give it a listen!
Reviewer:
PabloVTA
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favoritefavoritefavorite -
May 2, 2005
Subject: Wanna Stamp?
Subject: Wanna Stamp?
Talk about a a fun day!, the gang and I were stamping fans left and right with some rubber bear stamps and the shakedown street guy with what we thought was temporary ink, turns out it was quite permanent(oops!) People were coming from everywhere to get one from us, and the places they wanted them were very amusing!
We were on the floor, and true, it was rushed, but that was to be expected at the Coliseum. Sound was good, but not awesome like at Shoreline.
Had a blast, and the 6 of us wanted to ditch work for the rest of the summer and follow them on tour, but we settled for going to 15 shows on the west coast instead.
We were on the floor, and true, it was rushed, but that was to be expected at the Coliseum. Sound was good, but not awesome like at Shoreline.
Had a blast, and the 6 of us wanted to ditch work for the rest of the summer and follow them on tour, but we settled for going to 15 shows on the west coast instead.
Reviewer:
lobster12
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favorite -
April 5, 2005
Subject: never left hotel
Subject: never left hotel
After seeing this show I was convinced the band was still back at the bonaventure hotel. Disappointing because the summer was filled with great song selections and placement. Not here, though.
love the musical "catch me if you can' on NFA with bruce and jerry. Only thing to comment on
love the musical "catch me if you can' on NFA with bruce and jerry. Only thing to comment on
Reviewer:
Renliff
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favoritefavorite -
March 8, 2005
Subject: I was here
Subject: I was here
I still think this was the most disappointing show I've been to. Mediocre playing, awful venue. The sound quality is all that saves this tape.
Reviewer:
MikesGroover
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favoritefavoritefavorite -
December 29, 2004
Subject: Solid, but not sensational playing
Subject: Solid, but not sensational playing
This was my first show, and it occurred literally in my backyard as I was going to USC at the time. The only time they played the LA Coliseum, and the contrast between the neighborhood and the heads was pretty fascinating.
First set Shakedown opener seemed to go on FOREVER at the time, and it was partially because heads were storming the reserved seating floor. They literally overwhelmed security and it was a little ugly for a few minutes before security gave up.
Sweet licks on Candyman, standard Deal.
Second set pleased this uninitiated fan, because I was familiar with so much of the material. The Playing jam isn't bad, but the rest is played pretty straightforward. Nothing's botched too terribly, but nothing really stands out. I don't think the band was impressed with their environment, and this show gets overlooked by most people. Still, it'll always have a special place in my heart because it was first exposure to the magic live.
First set Shakedown opener seemed to go on FOREVER at the time, and it was partially because heads were storming the reserved seating floor. They literally overwhelmed security and it was a little ugly for a few minutes before security gave up.
Sweet licks on Candyman, standard Deal.
Second set pleased this uninitiated fan, because I was familiar with so much of the material. The Playing jam isn't bad, but the rest is played pretty straightforward. Nothing's botched too terribly, but nothing really stands out. I don't think the band was impressed with their environment, and this show gets overlooked by most people. Still, it'll always have a special place in my heart because it was first exposure to the magic live.
Reviewer:
crazy4golf2003
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
August 15, 2004
Subject: No Swirling
Subject: No Swirling
Finally,I get to hear this show without the swirling of the sound that Healy did during this show.The sound quality is great and so is the show.This was the first show that I kind of started to like Vince.Sorry,I still miss Brent.The song selections were not the best,but the playing was great.Very good separation in all the instruments.God bless Jerry Garcia.
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