Crimson, White & Indigo (2010) [Grateful Dead]

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I don't know if it's just a coincidence, but the Grateful Dead played the last show ever at quite a few venues. They closed Winterland in 1978, and in 1989, it was John F. Kennedy Stadium's turn. The difference with Winterland, however, is that on that warm summer day in 1989, it wasn't yet known that this would be the last show ever at JFK Stadium. About six days after the performance, the then-mayor decided – after several safety reports – to close it down. The building was ultimately demolished in 1992.

It's a rather disturbing sight to see so many people there, while apparently, debris was already falling down several hours before the concert... It's unbelievable that no accidents actually occurred there. However, JFK Stadium was a venue where the Dead had played a few times before, and they were clearly very excited this time as well. A completely different setlist compared to the previous show on the Summer Tour '89 (the Fourth of July show, released as Truckin' Up to Buffalo), and the two shows couldn't be more different. This show at JFK is definitely my favorite, for several reasons, including a few personal favorites (Loser! Box of Rain! Turn on Your Love Light!), but also simply a great atmosphere. The band is clearly in top form, with a wonderfully rousing Brent Mydland on Blow Away, the final song of the first set, and Lesh playing bass beautifully after Box of Rain. Add to that a more than excellent Scarlet Begonias > Fire on the Mountain and the not-so-frequently-played Standing on the Moon. 

It was certainly the first time I heard the song live; according to setlist.fm, they ultimately played it about 70 times, but it's an intriguing version, and it's naturally the song that will inspire the accompanying CD release. Jerry Garcia is once again in excellent voice here, and that's especially evident in a soulful Loser and Wharf Rat. There's just something about his voice that's oh-so-beautiful, especially when combined with Mydland's wonderful vocals. The version of Knockin' on Heaven's Door is also definitely worth a mention, although the one from a year later with Branford Marsalis at Nassau Coliseum is still slightly better. Is there really nothing to criticize about this concert? No, not really. Rhythm Devils > Space remains something I find hard to digest (especially when they go completely experimental, although I do think the transition to The Other One is a success), but I also find Let It Grow one of the weakest tracks. Iko Iko is such a funky song that it always works, but here it's kind of wedged between Hell in a Bucket and a somewhat lackluster Little Red Rooster.

I've often been a bit dismissive of the Dead's late-80s and early-90s work in the past, and that's simply not correct. Keith Godchaux was/is my favorite keyboardist for a long time, but he's now been surpassed by Mydland. That voice, that joy, that combination with Garcia... Especially on screen, it gives a song that little something extra. A band in top form, and a setlist to die for.

Tracklist:
  1. Hell in a Bucket
  2. Iko Iko
  3. Little Red Rooster
  4. Ramble on Rose
  5. Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again
  6. Loser
  7. Let It Grow
  8. Blow Away
  9. Box of Rain
  10. Scarlet Begonias
  11. Fire on the Mountain
  12. Estimated Prophet
  13. Standing on the Moon
  14. Rhythm Devils
  15. Space
  16. The Other One
  17. Wharf Rat
  18. Turn on Your Love Light
  19. Knockin' on Heaven’s Door


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