Thursday, June 23, 1988

I've been reading a lot of the reviews out there and I'm a little dismayed at how much they focus on quality, whether the boys were on, set selection, etc... For me, a show like this will always be priceless because it captures time. I listen to this Alpine run and remember all the little things that, together with the music, make up my experience on tour. This was my first "real" tour.

Sure the lazy listener will nit pick two decades later. Put in it's proper context, this was a magical night. Alpine was the big one in those days. East coast energy with a west coast feel, pure midwest Dead. The psychedelic sound adds nuance, and makes this show among a handful of pre midi and Darkstar gems. This night, along with 9/3/88 and 2/10/89, were extra crispy due to Healy's sonic goofiness.