Mardi Gras 1990 Show 3: The Night of the Living Drums

I have been a huge fan of the Mardi Gras run from 90. Brent really shines throughout this series of shows. I am going to focus on 2-27-1990 though. This show had me with the Good Times show opener. Near the end of this song, listen to Brent rock those vocals. Next up is Feel Like A Stranger. This is also high energy with Jerry in midi mode. This also has a great call and response section with Brent and Bob with a mini Bob rap for good measure. After listening to some 70's show lately I have really missed the midi sounds. They work for later Dead songs and Feel Like A Stranger is a great example of this. Then the band fires into Sugaree. This is a solid version, it is no 12/28/79 but it gets the job done. I also like the way Garcia's voice sounds on this song. When he got older his voice sounds more sincere at times, this is an example of that. Brent also shines on the keys in this song. Check out the solo from Garcia as Bob keeps the groove going along with Phil. The song picks up energy and moves into an X factor. The band slows down, right when I think it is over they bring it back for another run of the chorus. Now its time for another late 80's Bob rocker...Victim Or The Crime. I am going to admit this song always seems to let me down. I do like it, I just think the jam in the middle could have gotten a lot darker. I mean the music could have been darker than the lyrics. It did sometimes but not often enough for me. The spacey jam in this version is good though, just not enough for my liking. Phil does sound excellent, Brent also helps build the jam into new territory. Garcia does get in some great riffs as the jam builds. This does have a pretty fun space section in it at the end. A total breakdown of any rhythm occurs. I think this was part was introduced by Phil in this concert. Bob gets a little tired of it and tries to bring the main riff back one final time. The band follows and closes on some great Phil Bombs. After that short craziness the band finds something a bit more upbeat and not as much of a downer. Mississippi Half Step always something that will get me dancing. Great vocals and playing throughout this song. Brent gets the job done multiple times in this song. Nice Phil and Jerry interaction in the closing jam. Here comes the Dylan Slot with When I Paint My Masterpiece. Bob's vocals aren't bad on this, but for some reason I don't find them to be the strongest I have heard on this song. After Masterpiece is over the band plays a beautiful Bird Song. Brent is all over the place here. The band as a whole seem to be in an exploratory mood and it shows the most in Bird Song so far. Midi is used to perfection. I also want to point out that Phil sort of teases The Other One, look in the 7:00 minute time frame to see what I mean. Jerry gets down with some fanning in the 9 or 10:00 minute area. After a dreamy part, Jerry brings the main riff back...almost. Wow that is what I like to hear in a Bird Song. Somehow they bring it back to the chorus. I really have no idea, nor was I expecting. This is what always brings me back to the good ol' Grateful Dead.

Set two begins with Drums. This reminds me of how The Dead in 2003 opened the second set. I would also like to mention that Drums through Woman R Smarter has Michael Doucet & Beausoleil sitting in. This rendition of Rhythm Devils gives electronic groups like The Orb run for their money. Phil steps out and begins to join in the electronic madness. Once again he is really pushing for The Other One, at least to my ears. Then as the guitarist get in the middle of this craziness you can hear Iko Iko begin to form. They actually start to sing to actually get the spacey stuff to stop. Ha Ha that is hilarious. The percussion is very strong, giving more room for Phil to get the groove actually going. Iko Iko leads to Man Smart, Woman Smarter. These two songs are very similar, so to hear them paired doesn't surprise me. There is a nice little jam in Woman Smarter. This has a nice zydeco feel. Oh yeah Mardi Gras is the theme of this run and this jam reminds you of that. This songs comes along with a vocal harmony that almost falls apart until Bob brings it back together one last time. Now comes an early second set ballad with Standing On The Moon. (This is the first SOTM that has been reviewed on this blog!!!) The band seems to be ready for business in the first post drum slot. Brent adds much to this song under Garcia's voice. Jerry's singing almost seems frail after the energetic Iko and Women Smarter. It is amazing to me how this band can feed off of pure energy in one song then the next feed of beauty. It doesn't happen too often, when it does it is priceless. Then the band seems to tease The Other One but decides on Truckin'. This has its moments like Bob adding some profanity for good measure. The music is pretty standard for '90. Not a standout version of Truckin' by anymeans. Like always though the closing jam gets the momentum of the song going. A perfect transition into Spoonful makes the Truckin' worth it. Spoonful also makes up for Truckin' the band seems to be more into it. Bob's vocals were better as well. We are brought back full circle to Drums. This Drums was a lot more calm with hints of electronica near the end. Space picks up where drums left off in weirdness. This is another kind of weirdness though. No where near electronica, it seems like many unfinished thoughts from each band member on stage equals this space. It has its moments, but there are better Spaces out there. In the end of Space you begin to hear The Other One thought of again. It seems that Phil finally got his way. This version of TOO comes complete with the Dan Healy vocal make over, making Bob sound like he has been inside of a helium balloon (or would that be a nitrous balloon?). TOO morphs smoothly into Morning Dew. This does what a Dew is supposed to do. There is some nice moments for Phil in this as the band explodes at the end of the song. Throwing Stones is next. A pretty good version but not a stand out by any means. The band moves into Not Fade Away. After listening to some '70s shows I miss that style of NFA. They had more energy and did not always signal the end of the concert. I do like what the drummers are doing in this one. It adds to the overall feel of the concert. Then the vocal jam begins and the audience takes over until the We Bid You Goodnight encore. Very reminiscent of Dozin' At Knick.

Set 1


Let The Good Times Roll
Feel Like A Stranger
Sugaree
Victim Or The Crime
Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodleloo
When I Paint My Masterpiece
Bird Song


Set 2


Drums* ->
Iko Iko* ->
Man Smart, Woman Smarter*
Standing On The Moon
Truckin' ->
Spoonful ->
Drums ->
Space ->
The Other One ->
Morning Dew ->
Throwing Stones ->
Not Fade Away

Encore
And We Bid You Good Night


* with Michael Doucet & Beausoleil

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