Grateful Dead - Dead Ahead DVD

 DVD Documenting 15th Year Celebration
In 1980 the Dead had been together 15 years and as a sort of celebration they performed several shows which included an acoustic set (they had'nt done one since 1970) at New York's Radio City music hall and the Warfield theater in San Francisco. The shows were recorded and produced 2 double live albums- one acoustic and one electric ("Reckoning" and "Dead Set"). This DVD consists of video footage from Radio City which was broadcasted on cable TV back then and later came out on VHS tape. The video and sound quality are generally good (comparable with the "Dead Set" cd) and some bonus songs are also included. Performance wise these shows failed to generate the kind of sparks seen just a month before from 9/6/80 and 9/2/80 (Lewiston, Me and Rochester, NY). The acoustic "Bird Song" is excellent and better than the one on "Reckoning". The strongest songs of the electric part are "Lost sailor - "Saint of circumstance", "Sampson and Delilah", "Franklins Tower" and "Not Fade Away". Not major favorites of most dead heads, but this disc is the only thing from that period, so it's kind of take it or leave it. It was a treat for me because I saw one of the Radio City shows and have been waiting for the DVD of this to come out. It is not as good as "Closing of Winterland" or the "Grateful Dead Movie" DVD relaeses. "Dead Ahead" is worth having for people who like 1980 Grateful Dead or who saw them then- it will bring back some memories. And it's the only place other than "Festival" that you will find acoustic songs. Overall a good Grateful Dead DVD release.
Submitted by Chris (Washington, DC)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No

Have you seen this movie?