Dark Star > Drums/Space > Dark Star > Playin’ Reprise > Black Peter - Grateful Dead
4.1.91 - Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro NC

I caught the Grateful Dead 18 times from 1989 through 1995. I know this was not the best of times to see the Dead, and some Deadheads won’t even listen to any shows during this time period. Fine, be that way, but I enjoyed every minute of those shows and wish I could have kept going to many more. Granted, I know the music was not as good as the years before (especially from ‘93 through ‘95), but I still have lots of great memories both on and off the stage.

The best performance I saw the Dead put on was April Fool’s Day 1991 in Greensboro, NC. It was a two night run (March 31 and April 1), and everyone in my crew but one were shut out of the first night. We still had a great time in the lot, too good of time actually. I believe this might have been the only time I hung out in the lot during a show, and I paid the price too by getting busted for underage drinking. Back in ‘91, the penalty for underage drinking in the state of North Carolina for a 20 year old was only a $10 ticket. :) Even though we were whoopin’ it up outside, the show inside on the 31st wasn’t half bad either. In fact, the “Samson > Eyes” makes an appearance on a Dicks Picks.



April 1, 1991 was one of the most fun days of my life. I think I spent the night in Chapel Hill, but I can’t recall clearly. I do know that we spent most of the day in the lot until show time. Too much partying, but I was young and dumb without a care in the world. We sat lower level by Bruce’s side of the stage (Bruce toured with the Dead after Brent died in 1990 until 1992). Hornsby always brought the best out of Jerry even in the years after his departure from the band. First set was nothing to write home about. “Jack Straw” opener is always nice, along with the “Birdsong” closer, but when I put this show in my “tape deck”, I don’t listen to the first set. All of the highlights are in the second set. In fact, the entire second set is one long highlight. The “China > Rider” opener is the best I ever saw in person, followed by one of my all time favorite performances of “Looks Like Rain”. I am definitely a fan of “Looks Like Rain” post-Donna. Next up was the “Dark Star”. 1991 was the year I *got* Dark Star. Live Dead burnt a hole in my CD player in ‘91. I couldn’t get enough of it, and I still love that version of “Dark Star” more than any other that I’ve heard since. While the 4-1-91 version can’t be compared to the one on Live Dead, it is a solid Dark Star for the 90s. Both verses were sung, the first before Drums and the second after Space, and then the boys engineered a nice transition into a “Playin’ Reprise” after performing an unfinished “Playin’” the night before. The “Black Peter” following “Playin’” is one of my favorite versions of all time as well.



I can never get enough of this second set. I have probably listened to it 300 times. Besides the performance, set list, and personal connection to the show, the quality of the recording is outstanding to the average ear. Even though I’ve provided the best 50 minutes of the second set right here, you should listen the whole show if you have the chance. I don’t think you will be disappointed, especially for a ‘91 show.



Setlist:
Grateful Dead, Monday 4/1/91 - Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro NC

Set One
Jack Straw, Peggy-O, All Over Now, Candyman, Tom Thumb Blues, Picasso Moon, Birdsong

Set Two:
China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Looks Like Rain, Dark Star > Drums > Space > Dark Star > Playin’ in the Band Reprise > Black Peter > Lovelight

Encore:
Its All Over Now, Baby Blue