Dead Set

+++++++++++++++ From the same concerts as on RECKONING this album features songs of a good cross-section of the Dead's repertoire. Songs about fortune and crowd favourites. FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN is strangely without its companion song SCARLET BEGONIAS. The SPACE-jam is cut-out of the CD.

nr. 1 An example of ARISTA reaching too far. The album is occasionally boring, often uninspired and only rarely hot. Good versions of FRANKLIN'S TOWER and BROKEDOWN PALACE. GOLDMINE, 9/87

nr. 2 ... could have just been cut in 1971. Maybe it was... SOUNDS

nr. 3 ...Only a carelessly callous pop perspective could tar the DeaD with the same brush of complacency, compromise and menopausal self-parody that taints their hitherto contemporaries. MELODY MAKER

nr. 4 The companion double-album to RECKONING, this one features electric performances of a number of DeaD favourites. Side three is the strongest, with fine versions of PASSENGER, STRANGER and FRANKLIN'S TOWER. There are no extended jams and a few of the song choices are curious considering the material that was available from the band's recorded shows, but it's a pleasant, if not particularly inspired, record. * * * BLAIR JACKSON

nr. 5 An electrified version of RECKONING, but isn't nearly as convincing, especially since many Deadheads had attended every show of the run and knew what the band had cooked up. It was the last of the band's vinyl output for the next six years. JAMIE JENSEN

nr. 6 I like this album almost as much as it's twin brother RECKONING. All familiar DeaD songs and an active part for the audience. Hearing back these albums I think Brent Mydland has been underrated far too long. The last side is definitively the strongest. * * * * ERIK SCHOTHANS, July 1992