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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
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Set Two
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Encore
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