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The Grateful Dead - Downhill From Here

The Grateful Dead - Downhill From Here

List Price: $29.95
Your Price: $26.96
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: They're all there..
Review: Recently, I went to a concert of The Other Ones which was excellent, I might add. It had Bob, Mickey, Bill and Bruce Hornsby but alas no Jerry. Since Jerry is no longer with us, I highly recomend this video. The New Years Eve concert is good also but I like this one the best. It's also a good showcase for the late Brent Myland..He sings and plays on most of the songs..There also was alot of chemistry between Bob and Jerry and this DVD has it all. It's worth the money..

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: This rocks!
Review: Smokin China cat>know you rider, Feels like a stranger, great drumz. A+(soundboard) sound quality, good camera work. I've seen some of their best shows in their last nine years and this one could easily be number one...I don't ever remember Jerry smiling as much as he did in this show. Seems like he's really having a lot of fun here. My only complaint is that the camera crew focused soley on the band, a few crowd shots would have revealed smiles from one ear to the other, and brought back good memories. This concert has been listed a couple times in various Dead mags as a must have tape.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: This rocks!
Review: Smokin China cat>know you rider, Feels like a stranger, great drumz. A+(soundboard) sound quality, good camera work. I've seen some of their best shows in their last nine years and this one could easily be number one...I don't ever remember Jerry smiling as much as he did in this show. Seems like he's really having a lot of fun here. My only complaint is that the camera crew focused soley on the band, a few crowd shots would have revealed smiles from one ear to the other, and brought back good memories. This concert has been listed a couple times in various Dead mags as a must have tape.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A bettor than average show.
Review: The Dead are in a jovial mood during the entire show. Standout versions of china-rider, deal, and desolation row. There should of been more shots of the entire band jamming. There were too many closeups. The china-rider transition smokes.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Put on your dancing shoes!
Review: The Dead at the height of their late 80's prowess - if you love the Dead, this is essential. The sound is first rate, with good camera work. Jerry has a big ol' smile all the way through - you will too!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Amazing!
Review: The music on here is, in a word, superb. Great jamming. This DVD doesn't have super-duper surround sound, doesn't have widescreen video, and isn't packed with extras. If you're looking for that, try something else. But...if you want great music from a great band, pick this one up. The sound is crisp and full and the interplay among band members draws you in.

Highly recommended!!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Jerry at the pinnacle of his career. The best I've seen
Review: This 1989 show in the mountains of Wisconsin is a must see show. The entire band is at their peak and the video coverage is phenominal. Over 2 1/2 hours of concert performances!!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Dead Showcase
Review: This DVD is really excellent all the way through, but the "Deal" first-set closer absolutely stone rocks!! It starts off as a kind of hippie shuffle and then rockets into Grateful Dead Rock 'n Roll Outer Space for several awesome minutes before gliding in to a perfect three-point landing. The band is totally locked into it. I often play this DVD for my rocker friends who are not always sure about the Dead, and they are always amazed. Check it out!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Dead Showcase
Review: This DVD is really excellent all the way through, but the "Deal" first-set closer absolutely stone rocks!! It starts off as a kind of hippie shuffle and then rockets into Grateful Dead Rock 'n Roll Outer Space for several awesome minutes before gliding in to a perfect three-point landing. The band is totally locked into it. I often play this DVD for my rocker friends who are not always sure about the Dead, and they are always amazed. Check it out!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Great, considering.
Review: This film has many intriguing qualities. Jerry Garcia played his razor sharp leads like he usually does. The band, even after 20+ years, continue to play their relaxed jam style music.

The first set has it's good and not so good qualities. Songs like "Cumberland Blues" and "Me and My Uncle" were played almost as well as they were played 20 years ago. During "Desolation Row," Bob Weir sang solo (until the end)- with a catchy rhythm on his guitar. Though many other musicians tend to lose their voice over the years, Weir proves that this is not always the case. Brent Mydland, a brilliant keyboardist that he is, played his heart out throughout the film- but he showed his stance best during "West LA Fadeaway."

Though a great set, I was troubled by how Jerry (Garcia) was getting along. He had obviously gained a substancial amount of weight. Furthermore, his voice vas hoarce and raspy- as if he had laryngytis. I am sad to say that I have seen Garcia in better circumstances in live performances in the past. Yet, he maintained his BRILLIANT guitar leads- razor sharp and binding.

Now, the second set has a more positive atmosphere. Classics like "China Cat Sunflower" and "I Know You Rider" were played with melodies by Mydland and Garcia. The band's improvisory skills are still sharp and clearly apparent during the playing of "Playing in the Band" and "Uncle John's Band." This version of "Playin" was streatched out a good 13 minutes- where "UJB" was easily intertwined afterwards.

One of the highlights of the show was the drum instrumental. As a fan of the Grateful Dead for many years now, I continue to ask myself: How many different types of percussion is Mickey and Bill playing? To this day, that question continues to amaze me. As a former student of tabla master Alla Rahnka, Mickey Hart adds flavor and facination to his work- clearly apparent here.

After the drumming solo, Garcia played his Fender guitar (not his usual Pegasus guitar)to sound like a saxophone. Then, Weir and Lesh join in 2 minutes or so apart and-
g r a d u a l l y played raw notes that resulted in the formation of "The Wheel." Weir and Mydland were on lead vocals- playing strong and hard vocals. Then- after the song was over, the drummers played a 6 beat cycle which lead to the formation of "Gimme Some Lovin" with Phil Lesh on backing vocals. The show progressed through "Going Down the...." and a powerful "Not Fade Away." Unfortunately, The closing credits played thru "Johnny B. Goode," a great song all of in itself being disrupted.

Like I said, despite seeing Garcia's harsh,"drier than usual" vocals and his signs of deteriating health, this film is an exceptionally good film.


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