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(More customer reviews)1979 was another year of transition in the ever evolving story of the Good Ol' Grateful Dead. Keith and Donna Godchaux, were terminated in February, and along comes Brent Mydland, a more well-rounded player than Keith, due to his colors and tones with the Hammond organ, Fender Rhodes piano and a growing stack of synthesizers, that Keith was shy to use as he prefered grand piano and ONLY grand piano.
After a tenuous start in the spring, Brent began to feel more comfortable as a member of the band and find his place within the scope of the group's musical soundscapes. The word was out, a new fire had been lit within The Grateful Dead, and Brent was the spark.
The end-of-the-year run at the Oakland Auditorium in a legendary run of shows that has already seen a few Offical releases on CD, and here is another not to be missed. "Sugaree" sets the tone of what is to follow, 16 minutes of guitar fun from Jerry & Bobby, and about the best vocal performance from Jerry that you are ever gonna hear. "Mama Tried>Mexical Blues" is pure Bobby with it's brassy tone and high energy. "It's All Over Now" a Bobby Womack tune made popular by The Rolling Stones, get's the "Dead Treatment" and it's more good rockin' fun. A nice "High Time" takes us into: "The Music Never Stopped" to close out the first set and disc one.
"Alabama Getaway" is about the best version that I have heard and soon we are smack in the middle of a perfect rendition of: "Terrapin Station" that again features Jerry in his best vocal light, this music is beautiful, it is long and jamming. "Terrapin" towards the end, was all but impossible for the band to play. Here on this disc, it is stellar. Just as "Terrapin" leads you to believe it's all downhill from here on, up comes a killer version of "Playing In The Band" and now it sinks in, the quality of this show isn't going to let you down, the ride is still climbing the hill.
After the normal "Drums>Space" comes a nice laid-back: "Uncle John's Band" but it ain't over, as "I Need a Miracle>Bertha) Good Lovin" pack a one, two, three punch to rap things up in the highest fashion. "Casey Jones" and "One More Saturday Night" are not going to let up and cool down this blazing attack of music, these are fitting encores to finalize this great night of music.
After two discs of "Blazing Dead" the bonus disc is taken from the very next performance on the 30th of December of this Oakland stand. This night isn't as strong as what happened on the night that proceeded it, but I'm glad to have it included herein as part of the package. The highlights on this bonus CD are the: "Lazy Lightnin'>Supplication, that brings back more smoke and flames of the show of the 28th. "Truckin'>Wharf Rat" is another great pairing that make this bonus disc, a great extra present.
The "Road Trips" series, is a great addition to live Grateful Dead releases. And, this edition is one of the very best ever, to add onto an ever growing pile of Grateful Dead music.
Four Stars!
Click Here to see more reviews about: Road Trips: Vol. 3, No. 1 - Oakland 12/28/79 (2 CD + Bonus Disc)
The latest installment in the Road Trips series, now entering its third big year (and ninth release overall) is bound to become a favorite. Road Trips Vol. 3, No. 1 is the complete show from December 28, 1979, part of the sparkling run that has already given us the excellent Dick's Picks: Vol. 5 (from 12/26/79). You'll recall that these year-end concerts, held at the Oakland Auditorium because Winterland had closed down for good the previous New Year's Eve, were the first holiday shows featuring new keyboardist Brent Mydland, who joined the band in April 1979. The new lineup had been gaining momentum with each passing tour since that spring, and by December was truly hitting its stride. It helped, too, that the band was in the midst of recording their Go To Heaven album, so they were really playing together a lot during this period. This 12/28/79 concert is a blast: a super high-energy rock and roll show that also has its share of spacey jams and exploratory passages.
Track listing:
Oakland Auditorium Arena, December 28, 1979
Disc 1
1. Sugaree
2. Mama Tried >
3. Mexicali Blues
4. Row Jimmy
5. It's All Over Now
6. High Time
7. The Music Never Stopped
Set 2:
8. Alabama Getaway >
9. Greatest Story Ever Told
Disc 2
1. Terrapin Station >
2. Playing In The Band >
3. Rhythm Devils >
4. Space >
5. Uncle John's Band >
6. I Need A Miracle >
7. Bertha >
8. Good Lovin'
9. Casey Jones
10. One More Saturday
Limited Edition Bonus Disc
Oakland Auditorium Arena, December 30, 1979
1. New Minglewood Blues
2. Candyman
3. Ramble On Rose
4. Lazy Lightning >
5. Supplication
6. Scarlet Begonias >
7. Fire On The Mountain >
8. Let It Grow
9. Truckin' >
10. Wharf Rat
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