Music CD/DVD Review: The Grateful Dead - Crimson, White & Indigo

In 1989, The Grateful Dead were enjoying a late career resurgence, and playing together at a remarkably high level. Much of this had to do with the renewed vigor of Jerry Garcia. After slipping into a diabetic coma in 1986, Garcia had to virtually re-learn the guitar. In 1987, the band released their biggest album ever, In The Dark. On July 7, 1989, The Dead were still touring behind it, and previewing new songs from the follow-up, Built To Last.

In The Dark touched off the final era of The Grateful Dead, which the band termed “Mega-Dead.” Their audience exploded, and they were playing the largest venues in the country. The 100,000 fans filling JFK Stadium in Philadelphia that day were no exception. On what turned out to be the final concert ever in the stadium, the group were firing on all cylinders.

Crimson, White & Indigo documents every note of this great night, on three CDs, and one DVD. The concert begins with one of the highlights of In The Dark, “Hell In A Bucket.” Right from the start, you know that this is going to be a good night. Bob Weir’s voice is in tremendous form, and Garcia’s leads are perfect in their economy.

Things get really interesting with “Little Red Rooster.” This Willie Dixon classic features some furious guitar exchanges between Garcia and Weir, and the first vocal appearance of keyboardist Brent Mydland. Bob Dylan had always been a Grateful Dead favorite, and they pay tribute to their friend with a rollicking version of “Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again.”

The second set opens with Phil Lesh‘s semi-autobiographical
“Box Of Rain.“ Lesh’s bass playing is in top form throughout the show as well. The drum duos of Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart are a wonder. “Rhythm Devils” in particular is a thrilling ten-minute polyrhythmic excursion. As this segues into “Space,” then “The Other One,” we find ourselves transported back 20 years to the legendary Acid Tests.

Article Author: Greg Barbrick

Greg Barbrick is a Seattle native who was first published in 1988, in his hometown music magazine, The Rocket. Since then his work has appeared in print and online for numerous sources. He Googles himself so often that his mother told him it would make him go blind.
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