Rating: 
Summary: Got what I wanted with this
Review: I bought this knowing what I was getting and I enjoyed what it does have. Probably not for the grizzled dead head that toured with them and lived the lifestyle. For the fans that really like the music and don't know a lot of the behind the scene stuff, this is a good DVD with some good information and home videos. Rhino should have packaged and labeled it different. That is why I deduct one star.
Rating:
Summary: Got what I wanted with this
Review: I bought this knowing what I was getting and I enjoyed what it does have. Probably not for the grizzled dead head that toured with them and lived the lifestyle. For the fans that really like the music and don't know a lot of the behind the scene stuff, this is a good DVD with some good information and home videos. Rhino should have packaged and labeled it different. That is why I deduct one star.
Rating: 
Summary: This Will Be On All Available Dead Videos
Review: I guess there are 2 types of fans of the Grateful Dead: Deadheads (really diehard types that would enjoy the video even if the quality was at a half a star, and the Dead were having an off night). Then there are non-Deadheads (casual fans that want the best concerts available of that group). I have all available Dead videos (didn't get GD movie - waited a little too long), and love them all (guess which type of fan I am). To the non-Deadhead fans, I would say get The Closing of Winterland, Downhill from Here, and (maybe because of Bruce Hornsby) View from the Vault 2. Then continue your quest for the perfect concert video (my personal choice is a toss up between The Last Waltz, and Talking Heads: Stop Making Sense).
Now. For the Deadicated, Deadhead fans, I would recommend anything & everything available (including Grateful Dawg). Forget the reviews from some of the others about the cheesie psychadelic effects, forget the comments of "this concert wasn't as good as", and forget the "it was better live becase they edited" comments. When it comes to Garcia and The Grateful Dead (in the illustrious words of Robert Hunter)"Like a Steam Locomotive Rolling Down the Track. He's Gone, He's Gone and Nothings Gonna Bring Him Back" so enjoy what's out there. Kudos to Monterey Home Video for making these concerts available.
Rating:
Summary: From an old Dead Fan
Review: I laughed out loud quite a few times while watching this superb DVD; nearly cried once or twice. The music, of course, is excellent, and my foot was tapping throughout. Great footage & storytelling of the Grateful Dead's earlier years.
I was pleasantly surpised by this disc!
Rating:
Summary: the Dead's early studio days through the eyes of the band
Review: I not only learned a great "deal" about the band that I love beyond compare...but I also got to see one of my fellow Dead Head pals in this little doc. (Hey Now..David Ogilvy! You did a great job knocking on the studio door!)This video is great for any Dead Head who wants to hear about HOW the Dead made some of their most psychadelic,ground-breaking studio albums : Anthem of the Sun, Aoxomoxoa, Workingman's Dead and American Beauty. See "the guys" in the studio, reminiscing the good old days and missing Jerry (plus old footage of Jerry, too!) We miss you Jerry!
Rating:
Summary: the Dead's early studio days through the eyes of the band
Review: I not only learned a great "deal" about the band that I love beyond compare...but I also got to see one of my fellow Dead Head pals in this little doc. (Hey Now..David Ogilvy! You did a great job knocking on the studio door!) This video is great for any Dead Head who wants to hear about HOW the Dead made some of their most psychadelic,ground-breaking studio albums : Anthem of the Sun, Aoxomoxoa, Workingman's Dead and American Beauty. See "the guys" in the studio, reminiscing the good old days and missing Jerry (plus old footage of Jerry, too!) We miss you Jerry!
Rating:
Summary: The Best Documentary on the Dead (so far)
Review: I think I originally saw this when it aired on PBS. I may have missed the beginning, but it was so good, that I had to track down my own copy. What makes this documentary so good is that it really gives you an insider's look at what went into making these early albums. It also has some moving personal moments, such as when Phil Lesh desribes his father's illness in relation to the song, "Box of Rain". This is a must-have for any fans of early Dead.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Documentary on the Dead (so far)
Review: I think I originally saw this when it aired on PBS. I may have missed the beginning, but it was so good, that I had to track down my own copy. What makes this documentary so good is that it really gives you an insider's look at what went into making these early albums. It also has some moving personal moments, such as when Phil Lesh desribes his father's illness in relation to the song, "Box of Rain". This is a must-have for any fans of early Dead.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting historical material, but disappointing sound.
Review: I was disappointed that there was more talking than playing, that the songs that were included were edited, and with the overall sound quality.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible look back at an incredible era for the Dead
Review: I've had this one for a while but felt compelled to give a bit of a review. Like what has been said before, there's very little by way of performance footage (although there are bits). What we're mainly given here is a fond and loving look back at a classic era by the creators who shaped it. Along the way we get the Classic Albums trademark of isolating instruments from the multi-track to showcase a vocal, a guitar part, harmonies, etc.. Some of the reactions are priceless (the expression on Bob Weir's face when his vocal for "Sugar Magnolia" becomes isolated is priceless, also his recounting of an incident with Dave Hassinger and looking for the sound of "thick air" for "Born Crosseyed"). Phil Lesh remembering how young Jerry Garcia sounded during "Ripple". Robert Hunter's recollections of being in Europe while writing material for American Beauty are particularly moving. Then you have the Warner Brothers record exec who recounted a memo sent about how unruly the band was in the studio, particularly Phil. This is also a great look into the band itself at that time.
It might be worth a viewing or two for casual fans or just fans of these types of documentaries in general. For music fans, for those interested in the process of making an album, or Deadheads in general, to me this is essential viewing and worthy of repeated viewings. Had to give it five stars. Bravo!!!!
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