Grateful Dead Go to the Movies: Alpine Valley, 7/18/89

I don't see many movies in the theater any more, but I will be going this Thursday, April 19th at 7pm to see the complete concert video of the Grateful Dead's 7/18/89 performance at Alpine Valley.  It is being shown in select theaters nationwide.  Not to be confused with Downhill From Here from the night before, this footage has never been officially released until now.

I'm not that familiar with 7/18/89, but by all accounts it is a smoking show with a nice opening one-two-three punch of Touch of Grey, Jack Straw, Jack-A-Roe (I always loved the Jack Straw/Jack-A-Roe combo) and an outstanding late 1st set Bird Song.  Although, the real highlight is reputed to be the entire seamless, flawless 2nd set, which starts with Sugar Magnolia, ends with Sunshine Daydream, and includes a few surprises along the way, like an out-of-left-field Scarlet Begonias sans Fire On the Mountain. 

In my opinion, 1989 is the year that the band reached its peak and this pro-shot video should be a real treat, representative of that time period.  I would love to see an officially released video from an '82 or '83 show - for good or ill - but I'll take another from the fine year of 1989!  Grab your tickets here.

Here's a sneak peak:

Setlist:
07/18/89 - Alpine Valley Music Theater - East Troy, WI

Set 1:
Touch Of Grey
Jack Straw
Jack-A-Roe
New Minglewood Blues
Friend Of The Devil
Stuck Inside Of Mobile
Bird Song
Promised Land

Set 2:
Sugar Magnolia
Scarlet Begonias
Man Smart-Woman Smarter
Eyes Of The World
Drums
China Doll
Dear Mr. Fantasy
Hey Jude Reprise
Throwin' Stones
Sunshine Daydream

Encore:
The Mighty Quinn

Download/Listen to this Show at Archive.org

Highwoods String Band and Green Grass Cloggers Documentaries

Horse Archer Productions, the makers of the films Why Old Time* and The Henry Reed Legacy^, have two new old time related documentaries in the works.  The subjects are 1970’s old time bands Highwoods Stringband and the Green Grass Cloggers.  Both films will address the history, influence and legacy of these groups and are set to be released in spring 2012.

Upstate New York’s Highwoods Stringband were largely responsible for the pre-O Brother surge of interest in traditional Appalachian stringband music in the 1970's, but until now their story hasn’t been properly told.  All five original band members - Walt Koken and Bob Potts (fiddles), Mac Benford (banjo), Doug Dorshug (guitar) and Jenny Cleland (bass) – are involved in the film.

The 2nd documentary covers the Green Grass Cloggers, a dance band formed at East Carolina University in 1971 and currently celebrating its 40th anniversary.  The filmmakers will address the history and cultural significance of this mountain music group who introduced a new and exciting approach to traditional square dancing.

Horse Archer needs your help funding these projects.  You can assist by purchasing and pre-ordering DVDs, posters, t-shirts and more.  Click on the link below for details. 

http://www.indiegogo.com/Highwoods-Stringband-Green-Grass-Cloggers-Documentaries

Here's some info and clips from their previous two productions.

*Why Old Time looked into why modern day people play old time music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aFqxIt-oJ0

^The Henry Reed Legacy detailed the life and musical legacy of Giles County, VA old time fiddler Henry Reed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJAaNXBgwro