Set Lists

Fillmore West 1969 - Compilation

The Grateful Dead's Fillmore West shows from 2/27 - 3/2/69 are classic performances that truly catch the band at the peak of their psychedelic era of their musical genius. This period has been represented with an excellent Dick's Picks release, Volume 26, but Fillmore West 1969 trounces that both musically and sonically. 

Fillmore West 1969 is a compilation and each evening is represented. Even if 2/27 and 3/1 are minimal contributions. All in all, the track selection includes a version of all but two songs performed at the run, and the key one, "New Potato Caboose," is included with the GDM exclusive pre-order bonus disc.

The Grateful Dead's classic, Live Dead, was largely taken from this venue, and their box-set So Many Roads includes "The Other One" from 2/27/69. The selection of tracks for the Fillmore West 1969 - Compilation attempts to avoid duplication. But with the smart decision to include a major section of the March 2, 1969's, second set, "Feedback" and "And We Bid You Goodnight" are repeated, as they are also on Live Dead. Thankfully, as taking disc three's glorious "Jam" through the conclusion of the disc would not be as awesome taken out of context of the whole by eliminating those two songs. You won't hear "Feedback" on the radio, but it certainly flows as part of the musical sequence and statement. 

Except for the addition of "Cosmic Charlie," the first disc is all from 2/28. A good jam is present in "Morning Dew," but the highlights of the set are "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl" and "Turn On Your Lovelight." 

The second disc is built around "Dark Star." And while the Stars of this era are joyous, it is just the beginning of the journey. The landing into the powerful, driving "St. Stephen" is sure to grab the attention of those that may have lost their direction. While more predicable than "Dark Star," "The Eleven" is a key ingredient of this segment of the show. The rhythmic pattern is hypnotizing, with Phil being expectedly aggressive. And when he starts nudging Jerry, Garcia responds with biting, scary, and lightning fast guitar runs.

The third disc is the crown jewel of the release. While not in the complete sequence of the concert, all of the material is from the 3/2 show. Not included is "Death Don't Have No Mercy (released on Live Dead)" and "Morning Dew;" they were performed after "Cryptical Envelopment," and before "Alligator." The track entitled "Jam" is crushing. One of the exciting things with pre 1971 Grateful Dead music is that you can often hear the invention of musical lines that would later become staples. While you can sample the development of the "Feeling Groovy" line on Dick's Picks Vol. 16's "Dark Star," this instrumental segment hints at their infamous "GDTRFB" jam. While it is more liquid and smooth as demonstrated on Ladies and Gentlemen, this rendition is raw and intense. But that is just the start as there is top notch frenzied jamming that continues throughout till the end of "Caution," 35 minutes of bliss.

One certain conclusion is that many fans will be so thrilled with the music within these three discs that there will be kicking themselves for not taking advantage of the sold-out limited addition box-set, Fillmore West Complete. If you missed that, the compilation is more than satisfying. 

by Barry Small © 
Grade  A +

Order: Fillmore West 1969

Related releases
Fillmore West 1969 Complete
Live Dead
So Many Roads (The Other One from 2/27/69)

Released - Nov. 1, 2005
Label - Grateful Dead 
Produced by : David Lemieux and Jeffrey Norman 
Executive Producer : Cameron Sears 
16 Track Recording by : Bob Matthews and Betty Cantor 
Mixed and Mastered at : Club Front, Novato, CA 
Archival Research by : Eileen Law/Grateful Dead Archivist 
Package Design and Production by : Robert Minkin / minkindesign.com 
Photography by : Rosie McGee, Herbie Greene, Baron Wolman, Michael Merritt, Peter Simon and Amalie R. Rothchild 
Cover Lettering by : Richard Biffle 
Art Coordinator : Brian Conners 
Liner Notes by : Dennis McNally Cover Art and Package Design: Robert Minkin

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