09.03.1989 Philadelphia
Spectrum
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Sunday
12th JGB Performance of 1989
4th Show of JGB 1989 Fall Tour
After an amazing two week
stretch in which Jerry was exceptional for nearly every song (8.19,
26.1989, and 9.1 and 9.2.1989), Mr. Garcia returned to Earth and
landed in the Philly Rectum. This by no means was a poor JGB show,
on the contrary, it was very well done and above average. But it was
not, as a whole, exceptional.
The show starts with an
above average How Sweet It Is. Jerry’s guitar progressions are
pretty well done but lack an extra flavor. Seals delivers a strong
organ solo, but the jam as a whole is a bit typical.
Next is a very strong
version of Stop That Train. This version has a nice bounce to it
through the song portion, and Jerry’s progressions during the main
jam are loaded with flavor.
Jerry mixes things up next
with Someday Baby. The song portion is very well done with a tight
bluesy shuffle. The jam from Jerry is a bit tame though and fails to
develop edges or teeth. The Seals solo is very well done.
Run For The Roses is also
rather typical. It is flawless and catchy, but not memorable.
I Shall Be Released is
next, and it is a nice, gentle version. The first solo is sweeping
but not thrilling. The second solo is a bit more intense but still
quite sedate. Overall, a – very calming and tame version.
Next is Sisters and
Brothers, and as with most versions, this version is very well done
and sweet.
The set ends with Deal. The
song portion is very tight and the band seemed to be flying. The
main jam has Jerry briskly running through progressions and
attacking the jam. He reaches a few nice apexes and one main peak.
While not entirely scalding, this was a great way to end an above
average first set.
Overall, not a bad first
set, but in comparison to the previous two weeks, it was clear that
at least on 9.3.1989, Jerry was not to be ephemeral.
Harder They Come starts the
second set. Jerry’s first solo hits the right spots and has some
nice moments, but it is a bit tame and typical. It was well done and
interesting to hear, but it was not gripping. The Seals solo is well
done, but the return Garcia solo is still quite tame.
Mission In The Rain is
quite well done. Jerry’s progressions flow through the rhythm and
occasionally reach beautiful peaks. The surge from Jerry after the
Seals solo is among his finest of the year. The passion and tension
couldn’t be more present. This version rivals 8.26 and 9.1.1989
for the best Missions of the year, and marks the third exceptional
Mission of 1989 in only three attempts.
Think follows and is not
quite as explosive as the 8.26 or 9.1.1989 versions. Jerry does a
great job of developing the progressions into a fanning session, but
the buildup is not extremely tension filled. Still, any 1989 tune
that has Jerry fanning is worthwhile, but within this Fall JGB Tour
of 1989, it is above average.
The first Second That
Emotion since December 6, 1984 is next. The song portion is
surprisingly tight and interesting to hear. The jam portion from
Jerry is a bit flat though and lacks flavor. Still, it was great to
hear Jerry bring this tune out of retirement.
Next is Waiting For A
Miracle (the 6th JGB show in a row with this tune – 5.22, 6.10,
8.26, 9.1, 9.2, and now 9.3.1989). This version also lags a bit. The
song portion seems tired, and the Jerry led solo doesn’t have the
tension crescendos of other versions (notably, e.g., 1.28.1989).
Lucky Ol’ Sun is the
ballad for this second set. It is stirring, as most are, but Jerry’s
doesn’t quite break through. Other versions, such as 9.1.1989,
have a Jerry led solo that builds and builds and passionately
explodes. The 9.3.1989 version, on the other hand, gets close and
has a nice build up, but no climax. Seals provides an eerie and
piercing solo, but without a similar Jerry solo, this version of
Lucky Ol’ Sun is about average.
The show ends on a very
very high note with the first Lonesome & A Long Way From Home
since 8.20.1981. This version is very hot and well done. The
combination of Jerry’s vocals and the backup singers mixes
extremely well. The jam, however, steals the version as Jerry flies
through various progressions and climaxes with a massive fanning.
This was easily the highlight of the show. Bob Weir must have been
standing offstage smiling and deviously thinking about the upcoming
Dead tour.
Set 1: 7.53
Set 2: 7.53
Show: 7.53
How Sweet 7.5
Stop That Train 8
Someday Baby 7.25
Run Roses 7.25
I Shall Be Released 7.25
Sisters and brothers 7.75
Deal 7.75
Harder 7.25
Mission 8.1
Think 7.5
Second Emotion 7
Waiting Miracle 7.2
Lucky Ol’ Sun 7.3
Lonesome 8.4
Rob
Goetz ©
