[.ca] Grateful Dead - View From The Vault

From Amazon.com:
Since 1994, Grateful Dead Productions has answered Deadheads' demands for full, live concerts, releasing a series of shows (blemishes and all) on CD entitled Dick's Picks. So it was only a matter of time before the company dug into the video footage archives. Critics may find the idea of releasing Grateful Dead concert videos amusing. After all, the staunchest Deadhead likely would admit that even on their best nights the boys weren't visually all that exciting a bunch to watch. That said, this full-length show from July 8, 1990 (a mere 16 days before keyboardist Brent Mydland died of a speedball overdose) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, offers an intimate look at the dynamics that few could notice when attending a stadium show. For instance, there's the wonderful interplay between guitarist Jerry Garcia and Mydland--each shooting smiles and knowing winks--at each other during "Greatest Story Ever Told." But, really, let's forget the philosophizing and get to the point: Deadheads really want to know the highlights of a particular show. There are several here, including a beautiful, lilting "Eyes of the World," a head-spinning "Let It Grow," Garcia's poignant delivery of the morbid "Black Peter," and, perhaps best of all, an improvisational, untitled jam that emerges from "He's Gone" (this is bonus material from a show two nights before in Louisville, Kentucky). While the entire show is by no means a peak performance by the Dead (though it features a terrific sound mix), it's still a great start to a series that one hopes will continue to evolve. --Dave McCoy

Take it for what it is.:
Okay folks, you need to take this DVD for what it is. The footage is from 1990. You can't expect the band to be in its prime (it's not '72 or '77), you can't expect special effects to be on par with what people are putting out today. You can't expect for them to have accounted for new fangled wide-screen TV's. The footage here is as it was presented on the stadium screens and is, presumably, the only full length video available (especially with a synched audio track), it was also intended to be a supplement to the live show, not replace it. What this DVD is, is an archival record of one moment in the Dead's history. Just like trading tapes and buying Dick's picks won't transport you to the moment this won't either, but it does add another dimension, and it's nice to be able to pop in the disk and see the boys doin what they do. Don't expect a slick purpose made DVD and you won't be dissapointed. That having been said it is a good setlist and, for 1990, a very good show. The second set rocks Samson>Eyes>Estimated (yes Eyes>Estimated)>Terrapin>Jam>Drums>Space>... Yes there is a pink panther walking across the screen in the second set, but if that bothers you haven't properly been fulfilling your second set duties.

OK, but not very exciting visually:
I'll admit it. I bought the first couple of From the Vaults and couldn't sit through them in one stretch. The photography is fine, but not stimulating. It in no way, shape or form makes up for BEING THERE, and perhaps I am biased because I miss the live shows so much. I also bought the accompanying CDs and find them more enjoyable. The Dead were about the music and playing the music as I go down the road (feeling bad?)in my truck is more fun that watching the DVD on the TV. The DVD (all of 'em) isn't bad, it's just the energy, the emotion just don't make it onto DVD the way something like "The Grateful Dead Movie" does. That was classic, and though I've got it on VHS, I'm still waiting for Grateful Dead Merchandising to wise up and release THAT on DVD! Perhaps it's because Jerry was so involved in TGDM and it was so much fun, especially the folks in the audience, that the '90s Dead caught in the Vault series just seem, well, dull. My recommendation is to get the music CDs, not the DVDs, and let your imagination take you away...

No No No No No!:
This is not the Grateful Dead you know and have come to love. Their playing is terrible, very sad. Don't buy if you want to have good memories of them.

Great Background noise, terrible video production.........!!:
"There is nothing like the Grateful Dead" This DVD was very disappointing. It is a good performance by the band and the sound quality is good, but the film lacks the widescreen viewing capabilities. When viewing on my widescreen TV, the band looks distorted and like a bunch of midgets! I have found this DVD makes for great background music while cleaning, reading, chilling etc, but to sit down for 2.5 hrs, FAHGETABOUTIT! I just saw the View from the Vault 3 in the store and it looks like it is recorded in the same format.. what a damn shame! Who would have thought a band so technologically advanced could screw up DVD production...I blame the producers.

Get A Grip!!!:
When I read the following remark in the editorial review of this video I HAD TO SPEAK UP!!!... "After all, the staunchest Deadhead likely would admit that even on their best nights the boys weren't visually all that exciting a bunch to watch."...What a ludicrous statement, these guys are ALWAYS great to watch! Anyway, the viddie is great and I'm sure that most staunch deadheads agree with me. kewl