[.ca] Grateful Dead: Downhill From Here

From Amazon.com:
Made for hard-core Deadheads only, this two-and-a-half-hour-long concert video (released after the death of leader Jerry Garcia) captures an entire live show by the psychedelic pioneers. Shot in the summer of 1989 at Alpine Valley Music Theater in East Troy, Wisconsin, the Dead are caught during one of their latter-day musical peaks. Appearing jovial (Garcia actually moves during several tunes!), the band provides numerous patented extended jams during a two-set, 23-song performance. Lively highlights include Garcia's blistering solos during "Deal" and "China Cat Sunflower/I Know You Rider"; the spacey pairing of "Uncle John's Band" with "Playing in the Band"; and the tender ballad "Standing on the Moon." The motionless Dead were never a visually compelling live act, so viewers shouldn't expect anything more than close-ups of the sextet's faces and hands. However, such a conventional approach is preferred over the cheesy kaleidoscope of video effects that mar numerous songs here. --Dave McCoy

Yawn......:
I had this CD and sold it back to the used CD store. It's NOT bad, it's just, well, so-so. The Dead had begun their slow decline by this time and this CD reflects it. The setting is beautiful and some songs rise to the band's high standards, but overall this CD is aptly titled because, as much as I loved the band, after the late '80s it was ALL downhill from there...

Worth it for the ýChina>Riderý alone.:
This is certainly one of the top 10 "China>Rider"'s the band ever played. Holding its own against many from the holy era of '72-'74. The intro. by Bob, Jerry and Brent is excellent and intricate. The camera angle is perfect, though brief, in capturing Weir's intro. and is proof of how great a guitarist he is. He is often too underrated, sometimes venomously. He delivers his "sun gonna shine" line powerfully. But this is trounced by latter day Jerry nailing his "headlight" line and wailing away through out. There is plenty of JEF (Jerry emotional factor) on this one and the whole show in general. The jam between the two songs has Jerry shredding and making spiraling spaghetti notes on his Tiger guitar and wrapping them around any and all within earshot. Brent is sonically painting away. Lesh is thumping all along but finally begins to emerge out front with a pulsing "Rider" gallop and is in the Zone. The Rhythm Devils are clearly in sync. "It" is happening. The song choice is excellent and well played. Even the obligatory show opening "Let The Good Times Roll" is nicely played. Other highlights include a rare, for the year, "All Over Now" and an ever increasingly rare "Cumberland". The "Deal", actually from two nights later, has a heaping scoop of cherry Garcia. A "Playing>UJB" is always nice no matter how many times you've heard it. This leads to another emotive performance by Jerry playing an excellent "SOTM". By placing his ballad in pre-drums this allows the band to rock out of drums with a "Wheel>Gimme Some Lovin'>GDTRFB>NFA" trainload of good ol' Grateful Dead. Then the band stuns everyone and brings them to their knees with the first breakout of "We Bid You Good Night" since 12/31/78. 'Nuff said. If you never saw the Grateful Dead and wish you had buy this DVD. If you can find the entire legendary three night run on CD get them too.

wow!:
wow! this video is awsome every one is playin with there most power and intensity especialy jerry garcia and micky hart. jerry's rifts are amazing but the best part of the whole vidoe is "drums" (the drum solo) it's so kick ass so buy this vidoe its worth it.

My first Dead:
This was the first experience with the Dead and I'm glad it was because it led me to a whole new world of music. After watching this a second time after hearing much more of the Dead's music, I truly appreciate this great film. The Dead were never really known for their energy on stage, but rather for the music they played. This has some really decent music ("Built to Last", "Desolation Row", a great "Deal", "Drums", "Johnny B Goode", and "Not Fade Away"- just to name a few) but it also really great as far as the energy goes. Jerry was all smiles and was moving quite a bit. It's a great reminder of how great the Dead really were. This is an awesome DVD, although I can't seem to find it on Cd.........

A moment Frozen in Time!!!:
Having been at this show I must say having this DVD is a blessing. I recalled it as one of the best of the hundreds of Dead shows I've seen and this DVD proves me correct!!! The energy that night was incredible and the DVD captures it very well. When they did We bid you Goodnight I thought the place was going to explode and I know we screamed until they came back out for Johnny B. Goode during which I thought Jerry was going DuckWalk!!!! Great Performance and great DVD!!