http://archive.org/details/gd1989-10-16.mtx.hansokolow.96899.flac16
The show was released officially, but is still up at LMA. I'm not always a matrix guy, but this one does this show proud, particularly the excellent sounding second set, which has just enough ambiance to counter the "late era" sbd sterility. Heads debate the merit of the whole show, but I think it's a great one, period. Nicely spirited runs through Half Step, Stranger, and Memphis Blues make the first set more than just enjoyable, and a killer Let it Grow > Deal really turns up the heat for the main event.
The second set... well, just listen. It's a perfectly constructed whole, with just the right mix of light and darkness. Jerry's MIDI effects sound fresh and playful, not yet a part of the stock bag of tricks.
It's one of the great ones of the period. Happy birthday, Bob!
I remember purchasing Nightfall of Diamonds around the time it was released at Wave's Music during their going out of business sale. It was this show and the Grayfolded disc that has lead me into hours and hours of Dark Star listening. Keep in mind, at the time I was borrowing my dad's tapes and found such treasures as 2/21/95 SLC and 10/30/80 Radio City. So needless to say, this was perhaps the first time hearing a straight Dark Star as opposed to Grayfolded.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, I noticed you said Billy took the cake for best birthday shows. I would have to say Garcia is up there. He always seemed to play great on or around his b-day.