Rating: 
Summary: Keep Them Coming
Review: Since the introduction of the projection screens hanging above the stage for the folks in the back of the venue, many (most?) of the shows were filmed. And lucky for us, they are being released on DVD.Crystal clear images, great camera work, many close-ups of faces and hands, and, of course, excellent sound quality. And, at over 3 hours of music, a genuine bargain (the DVD contains over an hour of footage that isn't on the VHS release). Even if I'm not actually sitting and watching, I can listen to the music. I figure that for about the same price as a triple-disc CD set, I'm getting not only the music, but also a great vantage point to actually see the music play the band! The advantage that "View From the Vault" has over "Ticket to New Year's" is the absence of extras. I prefer to just see the show, and can do without the comedy skits and trivia games. Seeing Jerry in the kitchen was fun a couple of times, but when I'm in another part of the house listening, and the music ends and the comedy starts, I'm bumming. "View" is nothing but music, which I think is a real improvement. One feature that is common to both "New Year's" and the "View" (though to a much lesser extent on the "View") is the added visual effects. Frankly, I'd like to see these eliminated from future releases. First, I didn't think they were very well done. Second, if I'm going to be seeing visuals, I want them to be my own! I'm there to see the band, not some graphic artist's conception of what the visuals should be. Ranting about minor flaws aside, I'm really enjoying this DVD, and I'm thrilled at the prospect of being able to collect many more.
Rating: 
Summary: Grateful Dead - View from the vault
Review: The DVD is good but the sound mix is below par. The mix from the show is anything but great. You did see band members asking for levels to be brought up but it just didnt happen . The Dead must have hundreds of concerts on tape... lets hope the audio is better on the new releases. Thanks
Rating:
Summary: Hoping for more!
Review: The preformance is excellent but will be most appreciated by true Deadheads as the majority of songs may be less familliar to casual fans. The band is tight and in good form. The picture quality on the DVD is simpley spectacular. There are, however, several problems with this recording. As mentioned by other reviewers the "special effects" in the second set are extremely annoying and amatuerish creating a terrible distraction from the reason we're watching - the bands preformance. While the sound track is generally crisp and clear, as one would expect from a DVD, it oftens seems disconected from the picture. The vocals are always spot-on and Jerry's guitar work is well captured but often you'll see activity by other members of the band, especially the drum set(s), that do not seem to be included in the sound track. Despite these critisisms, fans of the Grateful Dead will enjoy this 3 1/2 hour DVD!
Rating: 
Summary: No No No No No!
Review: This is not the Grateful Dead you know and have come to love. Their playing is terrible, very sad. Don't buy if you want to have good memories of them.
Rating:
Summary: Great show, solid video
Review: This release was greatly welcomed by this household of Deadheads. We'd been hearing that the Grateful Dead's video archive would be opened much as the audio archive has been opened up, and we'd heard that this video series was going to be akin to a Dick's Picks of videos. And, man, oh, man, it is about time. But this video shows that it has been worth the wait. From the first notes, a beaming Jerry sets the tone for night with a lyrically and musically perfect Touch of Grey. The first set includes some favorites like Jack-A-Roe, a wonderful, lilting Row Jimmy, Phil's fun rendition of Dylan's Tom Thumb's Blues, and a set closing Let It grow that sees the band hitting all the marks they should be. Whew. It felt good watching. The second set, however, is where the fireworks are: two hour journey through old and new GD, with nary a break in action for the duration. Sampson and Delilah smokes, but it is the Eyes of the World that explodes. The second jam in the song saw a house full of dropped jaws. The rest of the set is VERY solid, with Estimated Prophet, Wang Dand Doodle, and Black Peter being real standouts. And the "filler", from a show two nights previous...Wow! The two Jerry songs in a row (beautiful renditions of Standing on the Moon and He's Gone) and the jam that follows are out of this world. Real icing on the cake. Nearly four hours of music, and all we could say is "when does the next one arrive..." Keep these coming; they are the next best thing to being there.
Rating:
Summary: Take a step back in time!
Review: Watching this DVD was a little like a time warp for me. Excellent footage, a fine set list, and seeing Brent again all combined for a great experience. I really wished i'd had the souped-up speakers on my computer for this one. "tom thumb" is wonderful, but be careful, "knockin on heaven's door" will bring a tear to your eye. "Greatest story" and "jack-a-roe" are hoppin; happy feet, watch out! You get the "whole show" experience here; plus a lot more footage than the vhs version. visually well done. I sure hope they can come up with some earlier shows on video, like pre-'87 - and some west coast shows would be great too. But for anyone who misses the musical camaraderie on stage from the Dead, this is one to get. Glad I did.
Rating:
Summary: Get A Grip!!!
Review: When I read the following remark in the editorial review of this video I HAD TO SPEAK UP!!!... "After all, the staunchest Deadhead likely would admit that even on their best nights the boys weren't visually all that exciting a bunch to watch."...What a ludicrous statement, these guys are ALWAYS great to watch! Anyway, the viddie is great and I'm sure that most staunch deadheads agree with me. kewl
Rating: 
Summary: The Vault Must Be Empty
Review: Yes, the sound is mix is OK and the video is clear but the special effects absolutely kill this DVD. The performance is just OK. Where are all the other classics that have been preserved, even if they are in black and white? What about those house feeds at the Capitol Theater in Passaic NJ? The New Years Eve Shows? Live feeds for special events or TV? There must be better out there or the GD really screwed up in not documenting themselves on film or video. I guess we will have to wait and see.
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