Nightfall of Diamonds by Grateful Dead (CD, Sep-2001, 2 Discs, Grateful Dead/Arista)

This complete show recorded on 10-16-89 (Bobby's 42nd birthday) marks the end of an era in a way. While there were many great shows still to come, I think 1989 was the last most consistant year from beginning to end. The band was getting ready to celebrate their 25th anniversary and had been bringing back songs not played in years as well as a new studio album in the works. Starting in May, the band began to record their shows multi track for a live album to be put together by Jerry as part of the anniversary. The band was also mixing up the set lists with different song placements as well as the revivals. The idea was to release a 2cd set of "standard" Dead songs for Arista and then another disc to be sold separately from the Dead made up of the songs that were brought back after years of not being played (IE We Bid You Goodnight, Death Don't Have No Mercy, Dark Star and so on). Unfortunately, after the New Year's '89-90 run Jerry pretty much gave up on the idea due to the lackluster response of Built To Last and the project went to Phil and became Without A Net. Brent died the following July and by the time of the Europe tour in the Fall of '90, Jerry was back to his bad habits.

This show was the last in a five show run that was pretty strong dispite the death of fan Adam Katz on the 14th. The on the band's night off on Friday the 13th, Bob and Jerry even stopped by David Letterman's show with everyone in good spirits. A rough but ready finds birthday boy Bob starting off the show on a good note. Next is a pretty cool Half Step which was supposed to go straight into Feel Like A Stranger which is why the Across bridge isn't used. However there's a very brief pause which was more than likely done in case the band decided to use the cut on the forthcoming live album. If one listens to the shows that were recorded during this time, you'll notice the band at various times pausing briefly before beginning the next song even in jams. Built To Last is fun and Never Trust A Woman is something of a rarity. Stuck Inside A Mobile finds Bob going off kilter which is why the song was never played too much after this. The Let It Grow->Deal is a classic.

The Second Set began with the audience trying to sing Happy Birthday to Bobby but the cd begins with the band tuning to Dark Star. This Dark Star is a thing of beauty and is "a rainbow full of sound". There is another very brief pause before the band launches full into Playing In the Band. This Playing is also great heading off into deep space. Once again the band sort of slows down instead of just "hitting" Uncle John's Band like was often the case at the time giving us a rather unique sounding transition. Unfortunately, the band gets rather lost and loses it's way at one point which drains the energy. However, the band bounces back with the Playing Jam which is wonderful. The Drums/Space is quite nice. I Will Take You Home is not a favorite but this version is as good as any. Too bad we couldn't have gotten Just A Little Light instead. I Need A Miracle is rockin'. Dark Star starts up where the band left off earlier and is still quite nice. Attics Of My Life which was brought back with Dark Star at Hampton the previous week shows weak vocals again I'm afraid. While great to hear at the time, this is not something you would want to play around non-heads. Playing ends the set as good as it began. The We Bid You Goodnight encore is iceing on the cake.