Truckin Up to Buffalo: July 4 1989

Loved it. It is a well known fact that, after the very early 80's, this fantastic band was diminished, due to dark drugs and, eventually, the lack of other worldly communication on stage dissipating. Jerry's health ended up putting him in a coma. Thankfully, he and the band got back to a great place with, in my opinion, the summer 89 - spring 1990 being their final golden era. For me, summer and fall '89 was the Dead at their final peak. They were in great spirits and health, with Jerry being clean for a while, and his playing and singing were never better after the coma. They also had that huge repertoire, with so many old songs as well as the new ones they were producing, not to mention the new covers. I have quite a few shows from this late period, and for me, this is only one of two I award 5 stars to. It really is a strong show. There are quite a few highlights however, for me, this show contains one of the best versions of 'Bertha', ever, as well as one of the great 'Morning Dews', where Jerry gives it his all. The whole band, of course, are tight as hell. After 1981, I only have a few shows as the quality of the performances were very hit and miss. I'm so glad I bought this. The DVD is recommended also.

For me, Dead's best period was from Summer 1989 to Spring 1990. The 1989 concerts are best captured in a trio of live concerts recorded during the Summer of '89 but released 10 or 20 years later; i.e. "Truckin’ up to Buffalo"; "Crimson White & Indigo" & "Nightfall of Diamonds". In all, these 7 CDs plus a DVD in CW&I - present 60 different Dead tracks, of which eight are repeated (Dark Star; Deal; Drums, I Will Take You Home; Let it Grow; Playin' in the Band; Space; Dylan's Stuck Insde of Memphis...). "Truckin' " is a great beginning of this summer trip - start the journey here. Forward - Forever!

I'm running out of superlatives in describing the Grateful Dead's exceptional series of live albums culled from their vault. The sound is once again full-bodied and warm and the show itself is another example of how brilliant the Dead continued to be at this late stage in their career. Energetic, warm and in fine voice, the show opens with a fabulous one-two punch of "Bertha" and "Greatest Story Ever Told" and continues with the evergreen "Cold, Rain & Snow" and a brilliant "Walkin' Blues". The version of "Row Jimmy" on this release is one of the very best I've ever heard and there are also fine renditions of "Touch Of Grey" and "Man Smart, Woman Smarter". "Terrapin Station" is performed beautifully and gives way to another excellent "Drums>Space" jam. Rounding things off is a wonderful "Not Fade Away" and "US Blues".A definite must-have for Deadheads, "Truckin' Up To Buffalo" is also a fine intro to the band's magic for the curious and uninitiated.