05.20.1989 Open Air Theater
(San Diego State)
San Diego, California
Saturday
6th JGB Performance of 1989
After a very strong show on
5.19.1989 (including a truly spectacular Don’t Let Go) the JGB
roamed south to San Diego for yet another performance. This was an
inbetween Grateful Dead Spring and Summer Tour set of shows for the
JGB. Based on 5.19.1989, expectations were high but qualified as
Jerry was prone to slight let downs in 1989 after exceptional
performances (see, e.g., 2.10 vs. 2.11.1989, 4.3 vs. 4.5.1989, 4.28
vs. 4.29.1989).
The show starts with Cats
Down Under The Stars. The band sounds very tight from the start and
develops a nice rhythm. But the jam isn’t that great as Jerry’s
mini peaks are a bit typical. For a truly spectacular Cats see
8.26.1989. 7
Next is Mission In The
Rain. Jerry’s vocals sound a bit forced and the song itself seems
a bit too fast. Jerry’s solo is again a bit typical and the Seals
solo has a very strange sound that is quite odd. 7
Breaking free from the
average, next is Forever Young. This is a very fine version. Jerry’s
vocals are embracing with well placed screams and filled with
emotion. The Jerry solo breaks free from typical and is filled with
signature flavors. The band was starting to sound very in synch. 8
Next is That’s What Love
Will Make You Do. The jams are well done but overly impressive.
There isn’t really an intense feel to this version despite some
nice Jerry progressions. See 3.3.1989 for smoking version of That’s
What Love Will Make You Do. 7.25
The Road follows and is an
average version. The vocals are a bit flat and the Jerry solo doesn’t
reach any interesting peaks. 7
Next is Brothers &
Sisters which is a nice version but no real highlights. 7
The set ends with Deal.
There is one scalding peak during the main jam, but only one. 7.4
The first set was
relatively average with no real highlights except for the Forever
Young.
Set 2 starts with Melody.
The song itself seems a bit polished and tame. The jam has no real
impressive peaks either. See 2.17.1980 for a jaw dropping version of
this tune with a spectacular Jerry led jam. 7.1
Mississippi Moon follows
and it is a lethargic version. The jams don’t rise to any real
zeniths, but the Seals organ solo is not bad. 7
Attempting to break free of
the average streak, next is Think. The first jam by Jerry is average
in the bluesly presentation, but following a nice Seals solo, Jerry
opens up a jam with some blistering fanning of his notes. 7.65
Next is Evangeline. This
version is nicely paced and the jams are interesting as well from
Jerry as he reaches some nicely flavored licks. While above average
this version is still not quite exceptional. 7.5
Gommorah follows and it is
quite average. There are no flubs, but not a lot of interesting
jamming. 7
The show ends with Tangled.
Again, this version has no real flubs, but the Jerry led jams don’t
reach any impressive heights. See 1.28.1989 for a spectacular
Tangled. 7.25
Overall this was a very
average JGB performance. For the most part the songs are well
played, but the Jerry jams don’t stretch beyond typical. Alas,
this may have been the hangover show from the well done 5.19.1989
performance.
Set 1: 7.23
Set 2: 7.25
Show: 7.24
Cats 7
Mission 7
Forever Young 8
That’s What Love Will Make You Do 7.25
The Road 7
Brothers & Sisters 7
Deal 7.4
Melody 7.1
Mississippi Moon 7
Think 7.65
Evangeline 7.5
Gommorah 7
Tangled 7.25
Rob
Goetz ©
