Return to tape listMadison Square Garden, New York NY, 9/13/91 In some ways it was a show you could take your mother to. And that's exactly what I did, as she finally decided she wouldn't mind experiencing one. Her verdict: A fun time, not enough to inspire her to go on permanent tour or anything, but she enjoyed most of the music.
In the first set the Dead provided a fine example of the diverse musical styles they offer; the first five songs touched on pop, blues, folk, country and bluegrass. Later on they would space us with Bird Song - a little too much for my mom, but I was overjoyed by it. Of course I knew we were getting that song the moment I saw a bird flying out from the rafters and over us slightly before showtime.
But for me, the highlight of the show came with the last three songs of the second set. They say that for some following the Dead is a religious experience, and it was seldom more apparent than on this night. The three song run began with a pure, acoustically perfect Stella Blue being sung out to the enthralled masses. Then Preacher Bob delivered a fire and brimstone sermon on the subject of Throwing Stones. Lessons such as "I've got mine and you've got yours" were screamed out with supernatural authority. Finally, the entire congregation joined in for the closing hymn, a rocking rendition of Not Fade Away.
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