"Write review for Grateful Dead Live at Oakland 7-24-87", so I'll skip Dylan (which was way better in person).The official release goes in and out of mono through the whole 1st set (a set that's all about the bookends). This one isn't as well known/regarded as the next show (or the next month) but still has big highlights. They hadn't played the stadium side of the complex since '76 with the Who!First Set.tuning - their best ever? Some people track this stuff!is an attacking version.is hot, too, but the rest is yr average '87 Dead until the last two, which are ace versions., though is very upbeat and burns a lot of energy considering they have to play 3 sets and two different encores.Second Set. Starts with an averagebutis notable. It's hot and it's a stand-alone and the 1st of 4 '87 Scarlets sans Fire.starts uptempo - and it takes a minute for some to catch up, but the jam section benefits. The whole rest of the set is above average - fired by their hero Dylan. Except there's a stumble finding the key onand a lyric flub on a shaky(w/Dylan on guitar), but they were so animated this set that Jer moonwalked (I'm remembering this correctly, right? Ah fuck it - you kids don't even know what that is).: B: B-Overall = 3¾ stars (Dead show + Dead encore)Highlights:Jack Straw - one of best of '87Cassidy - tightDeal - big dealScarlet Begonias - clean and strongSOURCES: Pretty much have to getfor the two Dead sets; and you want the schoeps.painoman.17353 for the encore (Touch of Grey). The DVD version is missing FotD, MaMU, Big River.Thanx for review, koch

favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite

Shit, even the Funiculi Funicula tuning is great, being video recorded for posterity. Another tuning, Tico Tico, follows before they tear into Jack Straw. Jerry bungles the lyrics at the start, but everything else is solid, with a gainy Jerry taking charge instrumentally and crushes the jam. On a dime trans into Half-Step keeps things flowing down the rio. Esau skates into the setlist to my delight, nearing the end of his career selling real estate this one is funky as they get. Jerry then turns in a stellar solo during Friend of the Devil, which inspires Bob to hit the cowboy medley. Uncle is at a sprint and Big River flows with great teamwork, Brent throws in a smashing solo, and Jerry throws down the gauntlet at the end, energy is through the roof! Jerry doesn't let the momentum stop, pulling a great Push Comes to Shove out. Recognizing the prowess of Jerry's crunchy tone, Brent throws Far From Me into the mix. A soaring solo makes Cassidy fly, again the team is on it, Phil is especially heavy here, and X factor is achieved during the extended jam. Never egotistical, but not to be outdone, an immediate transition into a rocking Deal finishes off the set.



Hell knows no fury like the Bucket to open the 2nd, energy through the roof, punctuated by Phil bombs and serious Jerome solos. Scarlet is played with no quarter, it simply doesn't have time to consider mercy at this tempo! The transition jam starts taking unusual turns, all while within theme, then they stop... to immediately transition to Playing in the Band! Speaking of finding the light in the strangest of places, the tempo drives like the autobahn! The jam slows things down, as we head for poignant Jerry. The ensuing jam reminds me of Terrapin 93, at a faster pace, and before the haters hate, that was a great year for Terrapin. Scales abound, then 6 minutes in, things slowing down, delay guitar steps in to add a dose of psychedelia to the otherwise rocking show. Brent's playing becomes pleasantly anxious to accent the madness.



Uncle John emerges out of a space I thought surely was headed to the Wheel, and the energy hasn't dipped. Mr. Fantasy abruptly ends the UJB, with a zealous Brent singing, the band is all over it with Jerry nailing his solos and Bob playing tough behind him. Bobby keeps it rocking with a fantastic Miracle, once again featuring crunched Jer. Jerry then opts for Bertha, indicating more rockin' and no ballad in a show where FOTD is the slow option back in the 1st set. No need for the ballad, as Dylan's set waits in the wings. Jerry makes his audible count with serious solos in this A+ Bertha, before Bobby calls out old reliable Sugar Mags to close the set before Dylan gets his shot on the mic.



Third set is Dylan's, Times They Are A-Changin' his first offering, sets the mood nicely. While in predictably ridiculous voice his acoustic guitar is nice, and Jerry has some nice leads on unfamiliar turf. Maggie's Farm makes the set, and no wonder they kept this simple rocker. I'll Be Your Baby Tonight slows things down in country style, then the juices get flowing in I Want You. Most of the Dylan & The Dead tour left something to be desired, I believe this show is the exception. Highway 61 drives nicely, great bass rhythm by Lesh. Baby Blue is a bit sloppy as the boys liked jamming it out more, but Dylan cuts off Jerry. A true musician, Jerry figures out how to operate within tighter confines. Memphis Blues, always a winner to me, stuck after this tour. This version is a little sloppy, but fun on its 5th live rendition. With Dylan singing the guitarists both got space to see what they could do instrumentally, though again Dylan goes back to the verses prematurely, this version a few minutes shorter than the typical GD version. Thin Man, unfortunately, would not stick in the repertoire, despite being awesome. This is the most psychedelic thus far, with Jerry nailing a delay solo and Brent providing an eerie undertone. Shelter from the Storm is fun, and then a foreboding Slow Train chugs eerily through. The set is "Knockin'", another keeper, which ends the set in its simplistic, sun-setting beauty.



Double encore for the TKO, Touch is fun, but Watchtower brings sizzling solos and adds another keeper to their rotation. SQ issues mar the Tower a bit, but it's amazing.



Performance Summary

Wow! For a band rightfully accused of blowing the big ones, they didn't blow this show recorded for posterity in video. Energy levels are through the roof, with little exception. The pre-drums is through the roof, and while the post-space does its best to keep up it is outclassed. Dylan's set caps off the long evening, and though his voice leaves something to be desired, the backing band is fantastic.



Sound Quality

The 2 Dead sets are from the video official release, heavy SBD with a touch of AUD, a mix I more prefer than the 60/40 that seems to be the order of the day. 70/30 seems better...

The Dylan set has B+ quality sound. I may be a bit harsh having been spoiled by the perfect mix of the first two sets.

- February 15, 2014Best of Tour (Review via View from the Vault)