Dead
Ahead DVD review
The Grateful Dead's music
video Dead Ahead was re-mastered
and issued on DVD expertly and includes some excellent bonus
material. This live material was taken
from their October 30 and 31, 1980, shows at Radio City Music Hall in
New York City. The restoration is very good both sonically and
visually. The camera angles throughout are well done offering a
balance of close-ups, distant band shots, and crowd shots. Jerry appears to be in good
spirits as indicated by
his wide smile throughout.
During 1980 the Grateful
Dead unplugged and added an acoustic set that preceded their
standard two electric sets; the first time since 1970. This treat was primarily performed at
New York's Radio City Music Hall and the Warfield in San Francisco,
along with two shows in New Orleans.
The DVD begins with
excerpts of acoustic material that will certainly have you craving
for more. To the rescue, the bonus material includes a superb instrumental take of Weir's "Heaven Help the Fool." The
original acoustic material is all fabulous starting with a
delightful "Bird Song." A gorgeous "To Lay Me Down" really
works well in an acoustic setting. Both
of these songs were not played since retirement.
Next there are excerpts of
their first electric set, nothing extraordinary here. Following is the
second electric set from the Halloween performance. Certainly a very
solid set that is of the upbeat nature. It includes an excellent
"Lost Sailor" > "Saint of Circumstance." The
"Space" segment leads smartly into "Fire on the
Mountain."
The bonus material is taken
from the October 30 performance. The one acoustic track,
"Heaven Help the Fool," has some excellent passages. The
electric material is the complete pre-drums segment. The opener,
"Shakedown Street," the band takes their time obviously
enjoying the funky vibe they created. The upbeat "Sampson and Delilah" is really tight
with Jerry nailing some lighting fast runs. "He's
Gone" offers a spacey jam to lead into Truckin'," which
has some good ever changing stage backdrop visuals to enjoy.
If you don't have Dead
Ahead this is a must have DVD. If you've got the VHS, the
excellent bonus material and quality restoration makes the upgrade an easy choice. I
would certainly be interested in a volume 2 release.
by Barry Small ©
Grade A
Awesome
GD Acoustic Photo
Warfield and Radio City 1980 material is also available on
Reckoning, Grateful Dead
Dead Set, Grateful Dead
More great 1980 Grateful Dead music on Go
to Nassau, and Download
Series 7
