Set Lists

Road Trips Vol. 3 No.1: 
Oakland, 12/28/79

The Grateful Dead played a five night extravaganza to close the year 1979 as they continue to break in their newest band  member, Brent Mydland. The five December evenings being  12/26, 12/27, 12/28, 12/30, and 12/31. The fifth edition of Dick's Picks derived material from this billing, December 26th. 

The first set is somewhat short, but there is no filler. Perhaps some may say another "Row Jimmy," but it's a good song that fits into the set nicely. Jerry's voice has the perfect ragged edge on this fine version. 

The ending of "It's All Over Now" we get some Phil bombs to make this one memorable. These are so powerful and fully defined. Incredible. It's not just one or two blasts, rather a complete assault. They keep coming. Just when your woofer stops vibrating there's another, another, and another, and their so nicely defined. The highlight of the show? 

Other strengths of the set include the opener as well as the closer. To begin "Sugaree" is more than one could hope for, and the finale is a stupendously delivered Weir tune, "The Music Never Stopped."

Closing out disc one is the second set opening pairing of "Alabama Getaway" > "The Greatest Story Ever Told." Both songs are good individually and when combined this way make for a super charged beginning. I happen to enjoy the early versions of "Alabama Getaway," a song that debuted in 1979.

Moving along to the second disc. It starts with "Terrapin Station." The last Grateful Dead release, the nine disc Winterland Complete June 1977 had several early versions of the song. This rendition proves that the Brent line-up can execute this song just as scrumptiously, and they follow it with a lengthy and jammed out reading of "Playing in the Band." The rest of the set they stay away from the ballads. Instead, a grooving "Uncle John's Band," followed by a more than satisfactory trio of fast paced rockers; "I Need A Miracle" > "Bertha" > "Good Lovin’." 

The two song encore stays with the upbeat tone. Summing it up, we have a terrific complete show. Overall, a party mode affair, very energetic. I have a bootleg of this show and comparing the sonics of it to the official release makes that coaster material. The superb sound quality intensifies this shows listening enjoyment. Too, a complete show, and smooth flow are factors to overcome an ordinary song selection. 

By Barry Small©
Grade A -

Bonus material. The bonus material from the 12/30/79 show captures quite a bit of that evenings highlights. From the first set there are five songs, the first two as well as a trio of songs toward the end. Some may argue two songs, because "Lazy Lightning" > "Supplication" are married together as one. Regarding those songs, upon a listen to them it dawned on me how few versions of them I have in the Brent era. The high pitched background vocals is their imitation of Donna I suppose. 

After, the second disc is generously represented. While "Drums" and "Space" are excluded, the preceding trio of songs and the two following are all keepers. What rhythm pattern on "Scarlet." Following > as Garcia starts his riffs to "Fire of the Mountain" Jerry's guitar tones float along, over, through, and between the musical foundation set forth by the band. Then > "Let if Grow," and after that there's still another 20 minutes to go. No doubt, this bonus disc of music is a winner. 

Oakland Auditorium Arena, December 28, 1979

CD 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

CD 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 NIGHT

Bonus CD: (while supplies last) 
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

Sounds like a splice during "Uncle John's Band" around the 7:30 mark until 7:49. 

From Deadlists 

Oakland, CA - 12/30/79

Featured show is complete. 

One - New Minglewood Blues [7:53] ; Candyman [6:46] ; Me And My Uncle [3:00] > Big River [6:13] ; Ramble On Rose [7:20] ; Lazy Lightnin' [3:23] > Supplication [5:37#] > Deal [5:07]

Two - Scarlet Begonias [9:42] > Fire On The Mountain [9:39] > Let It Grow [9:37] > Space [3:31] > Drums [7:57] > Space [6:18] > Truckin' [7:01] > Wharf Rat [9:26] > Around And Around [4:12] > Johnny B. Goode [4:35]
Encore Don't Ease Me In [4:12] ; Brokedown Palace [4:55]

Bold on bonus disc

From the Grateful Dead website
The latest installment in our 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.