Nightfall Of Diamonds: Meadowlands Sports Arena, E. Rutherford, New Jersey, October 16, 1989 [Live]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This 1989 show displays a convergence of early-period and late-period Dead. On the one hand, the band was featuring songs from what would prove to be their final studio album, Built to Last, which came out two weeks after this October 16 date. On the other hand, they were also reaching back to crowd favorites like "Dark Star," "Attics of My Life" (each of which had been revived a week earlier in Hampton, Virginia, after long dormancies), and the a cappella gospel number "We Bid You Goodnight" (revived earlier in 1989 after an 11-year absence). Also of note is the relatively rare "Never Trust a Woman," a bluesy workout for keyboardist Brent Mydland. All in all, Nightfall is a pleasant though hardly crucial addition to the catalog. --Marc Greilsamer

Tracks:

Picasso Moon
Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo
Feel Like A Stranger
Never Trust A Woman
Built To Last
Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again
Let It Grow
Deal

Tracks:

Dark Star
Playing In The Band
Uncle John's Band
Drums
Space
I Will Take You Home
I Need A Miracle
Dark Star
Attics Of My Life
Playing In The Band
We Bid You Goodnight

Amazon.com

This 1989 show displays a convergence of early-period and late-period Dead. On the one hand, the band was featuring songs from what would prove to be their final studio album, Built to Last, which came out two weeks after this October 16 date. On the other hand, they were also reaching back to crowd favorites like "Dark Star," "Attics of My Life" (each of which had been revived a week earlier in Hampton, Virginia, after long dormancies), and the a cappella gospel number "We Bid You Goodnight" (revived earlier in 1989 after an 11-year absence). Also of note is the relatively rare "Never Trust a Woman," a bluesy workout for keyboardist Brent Mydland. All in all, Nightfall is a pleasant though hardly crucial addition to the catalog. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

A "grate" show.......2007-05-16

This is one of the most epic shows of the 1989 - 90 peak, one of about 5 peaks in the Dead's 30 year life. This show is a soundboard (SBD) recording, and my only complaint is that the super high-energy of the audience is missing. The best version of this show would be a matrix which combined this SBD recording with an Audience (AUD) recorded version. If you can't find that, then this is second best to a piece of history. Enjoy.

Great cd.......2007-05-07

Great cd, in great and perfect working condition like I expected. I'm happy with this cd.

1989 Dead is great........2006-07-04

This review is for the fans who like the sound of the older Dead and hear the newer Dead as something outside of that.

Please don't bother hanging on to the past, The Dead didn't. They used technology to enhance the sound of the music. The combination of the explorative spirit and the technology "furthured" the music of this era. This music is a jump from the older style, jump with it. It's no big deal. Just listen like a child and enjoy.

Maybe my favorite Dead release to date........2005-06-26

In the late 8O's, I was in high school in northern New Jersey, right out side NYC. The Dead would come to the area three or four times times a year: in the Spring they would play Nassau Colisium for a night or two, in the Summer they would return to play Giants Stadium, and in the Fall they would often set up tent at Madison Sq. Garden and play 8 or 9 shows to a packed house every night.
I couldn't see them every night they were in town. So I would try to pick the night I thought that they might be really "ON." In the Fall of 89 the Dead stayed for a full week at the Meadowlands. I got tickets for Oct 14. It was a nice show. I enjoyed it. But when I heard about what went down on the 16th, I knew that I had picked the wrong night!
With the release of "Nightfall of Diamonds" I can now at least hear what I missed. The Dead were clearly on a mission this night. Picasso>Half-Step is a terrific opener and the whole first set is very strong. But what happens in Set II is what made this show special. From the opening notes of "Dark Star" through "We Bid You Goodnight" the audience was treated to a beautiful symphony of sounds that transported them all the way back to the Dead's earliest days. Words would fail me if I tried to describe it. Just trust me.
As for the sound of this recording, it's terrific. This show was one of the nights captured with 24-track tape that eventually wound up as the album "Without a Net." Everything is crispy and up front. Get it!

Very Electronics - Almost "Prog" Dead.......2004-11-13

I will probably get hammered for this, but I think I am in the minority. By the late 80s the dead was heavy into electronic manipulation, simulation and alterations. A very electronic and spacey sound. If you are into their phase where they throw in a lot of synth and MIDI sound effects, you will likely be into this show. If you are used to the Dead of the late 60s, early and late 70s, early 80s and the nineties you may want to check this out, but invest your money somewhere. There is no denying that Set 2 is great. The Dark Star>PITB>UJB is especially good. But know, there is a LOT of echo, a LOT of sound effects, and a LOT of MIDI. I couldn't help but think it was the Dead gone prog, 80s style. The "Feel Like A Stranger" is also very good, BUT like the rest of the show it has a strong Emerson Lake Palmer feel to it. Personally, I would get Dick's Pick 6 if you want a great 80s show with a super second set. Don't get me wrong, the show is strong and a historic piece, but it won't get many spins on my player.

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