Grateful Dead

Grateful Dead Download Series Vol. 5: Hampton Coliseum

Hampton, VA

Mar 27, 1988

Stream This Show

Start your 7-day free trial to stream official concert audio and high-quality video recordings. Subscribers can:
  • Watch exclusive Livestreams.
  • Stream professionally-mixed concert audio.
  • Watch archival concerts on-demand.
  • Unlock member discounts, giveaways, and more.

Buy Full Show

$15.99

$15.99

About Formats
About Formats
Show Notes

Grateful Dead Download Series Volume 5

3/27/88 Hampton Coliseum Hampton, VA

Every year in the Grateful Dead’s touring history contained shows that were justifiably considered to be the best of the year. Cornell comes to mind for 1977, Harpur or 2/13 at the Fillmore East in 1970, Augusta, ME, in 1984, and for 1988, the show most widely remembered as the best of the year is the middle night in Hampton, VA, on the Spring Tour: March 27, 1988. Those who were present agree that there was magic in the air that night. We are pleased to announce that Grateful Dead Download Series Vol. 5 is this incredibly dynamic concert, in its entirety. For those who have heard the “Ultra-Matrix” tape of this concert, Download Vol. 5 will be a revelation: an impeccably clean, crispy pure soundboard recording, which reveals every nuance of this amazing concert.

Highlights are many, with some rarities mixed in the fold on this special night alongside stellar versions of several Grateful Dead classics. Early in the first set, we are treated to the first and one of only two performances of Bob Dylan’s “Ballad Of A Thin Man,” followed by the country one-two punch of “Cumberland Blues” and “Me and My Uncle.” Next up is the return to the rotation of “To Lay Me Down,” its first appearance in almost five years, although you wouldn’t know it by this performance. The second set features the most powerful version of the trio of “Sugar Magnolia>Scarlet Begonias>Fire On The Mountain” since the Closing Of Winterland, preceded by the only version ever played of Miles Davis’ “So What.” Later, the second set includes terrific renditions of “Goin’ Down The Road Feeling Bad” and “Dear Mr. Fantasy,” all capped by the expected “Sunshine Daydream.” Finally, 1988 is represented with an official release, and what a show it is!

Musicians

  • Jerry Garcia - lead guitar, vocals
  • Mickey Hart - drums
  • Bill Kreutzmann - drums
  • Phil Lesh - electric bass, vocals
  • Brent Mydland - keyboards, vocals
  • Bob Weir - rhythm guitar, vocals

Credits

  • Recording - Dan Healy
  • Mastering - Jeffrey Norman
Reviews

ellisdee25 10/26/2011 4:12:04 PM

"I was there for all 3 nights of that Hampton run and I remember how totally blown away we all were by that show. I was living in Richmond at the time and it was my 32nd show. One thing you could count on for sure was that you always had a good time at Hampton. It was one of the very few venues left that still had open floor general admission concerts and the police never bothered us for smoking our favorite imported herbs. Of the 50 shows I was able to see, 15 of them were at Hampton. I will always have a warm place in my heart for those days and the Coliseum. Thank you for making this recording available...Peace & Love & Music forever! :)"

Craig S 3/6/2011 5:00:47 AM

"Great show. highlights were To Lay Me Down, first one in a long time. I recall a big gasp in the audience as we realized how cool it was! So What, a Miles Davis Tune was a complete surprise as was the Scarlet /Fire (my first and long anticipated) after startin the 2nd set with Sugar Magnolia. Another nice surprise! At this time, I was very much into the scene and was able to plan business trips around shows. Nice... But this one was a weekend birthday trip!"

Craig S 3/6/2011 5:00:12 AM

"Great show. highlights were To Lay Me Down, first one in a long time. I recall a big gasp in the audience as we realized how cool it was! So What, a Miles Davis Tune was a complete surprise as was the Scarlet /Fire (my first and long anticipated) after startin the 2nd set with Sugar Magnolia. Another nice surprise! At this time, I was very much into the scene and was able to plan business trips around shows. Nice... But this one was a weekend birthday trip!"

Products

Setlist at Grateful Dead Download Series Vol. 5: Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA on Mar 27, 1988

Set One

Iko Iko 306

88439-TRACK

Little Red Rooster 513

88440-TRACK

Stagger Lee 333

88441-TRACK

Ballad Of A Thin Man 425

88442-TRACK

Cumberland Blues 302

88443-TRACK

Me & My Uncle 191

88444-TRACK

To Lay Me Down 483

88445-TRACK

Let It Grow 682

88446-TRACK

Set Two

Space 140

88447-TRACK

So What 57

88448-TRACK

Sugar Magnolia 313

88449-TRACK

Scarlet Begonias 655

88450-TRACK

Fire On The Mountain 640

88451-TRACK

Estimated Prophet 630

88452-TRACK

Eyes of the World 511

88453-TRACK

Rhythm Devils 453

88454-TRACK

Space 452

88455-TRACK

Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad 352

88456-TRACK

I Need a Miracle 200

88457-TRACK

Dear Mr. Fantasy 294

88458-TRACK

Sunshine Daydream 286

88459-TRACK

Encore

U.S. Blues 343

88460-TRACK

Start a free trial now to get unlimited streaming of professionally mixed audio and high-quality video. Paid subscribers get access to exclusive livestreams and more.

More Shows From This Artist