The Grateful Dead - Downhill From Here | 
| Actors: Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia
Studio: Monterey Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $29.95
Buy Used: $24.95
You Save: $5.00 (17%)
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Rating:  40 reviews
Sales Rank: 16975
Format: Color, Dvd, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 0
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 150 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.6
ISBN: 1569946027
UPC: 001223319832
EAN: 9781569946022
ASIN: B00000JXVL
Theatrical Release Date: October 7, 1997
Release Date: October 12, 1999
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Made for hard-core Deadheads only, this two-and-a-half-hour-long concert video (released after the death of leader Jerry Garcia) captures an entire live show by the psychedelic pioneers. Shot in the summer of 1989 at Alpine Valley Music Theater in East Troy, Wisconsin, the Dead are caught during one of their latter-day musical peaks. Appearing jovial (Garcia actually moves during several tunes!), the band provides numerous patented extended jams during a two-set, 23-song performance. Lively highlights include Garcia's blistering solos during "Deal" and "China Cat Sunflower/I Know You Rider"; the spacey pairing of "Uncle John's Band" with "Playing in the Band"; and the tender ballad "Standing on the Moon." The motionless Dead were never a visually compelling live act, so viewers shouldn't expect anything more than close-ups of the sextet's faces and hands. However, such a conventional approach is preferred over the cheesy kaleidoscope of video effects that mar numerous songs here. --Dave McCoy
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| Customer Reviews: Read 35 more reviews...
 Best Live Video Available November 15, 1999
P. J. Voisine (Torrington, CT USA)
35 out of 35 found this review helpful
This is by far the best Grateful Dead I've ever seen - for many reasons: sound and video quality, performance, selections. . . But the most important aspect that puts this particular video above every other is the fact that it is pure performance video. Little or none of that dreamy, colorful overlay stuff that distorts the performances and, in IMHO, is overused on all other live GD recordings. This can be watched over and over. It's the Greatest!
Gotta get down to the Cumberland Mine.... October 21, 1999
Dave Bucholtz (desdave@aol.com) (Ontario, CA)
12 out of 12 found this review helpful
Well, whats to say of an amazing concert--recorded on video for future prosperity... and then digitally re-mastered and released on DVD. Aside from being mastered on video tape, the visual aspect is captivating. The audio is of extremely high quality, and the caliber of the show is top notch for that time period. The band is having fun, the crowd is having fun... and with the right preparation, you too can "be there!". I highly recommend anyone interested in an amazing band displaying its playing prowess to order this DVD. Oh, the only difference I noticed from my VHS to my DVD is that in the first set when they splice in the footage from the follwing night, they fade it down and make it absolutely clear that it is a different show--whereas in the VHS version, it is seamless and aside from Bob Weir's shirt change, one may well have not even noticed. Whoa, oh oh it's Magic!
 These were my first shows.... April 2, 2000
Jeremy J. Stamp (Chicago, IL United States)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
Having been young and experiencing the Grateful Dead for the first time at these Alpine Valley shows was a life changing experience. Watching the DVD brings back memories of the endless mud pit that we boogied in, the clouds of smoke, sliding down the giant mud covered hills on our butts, and the parking lot vendors. There are many good points of the DVD, including the scrolling lyrics (I learned I have been singing the wrong lyrics for years)were very helpful and fun. This video brings back memories of a time when things were easier, there were less cares, and the good times certainly did roll. This is a video only a true fan would appreciate, but is worth the purchase if you want to relive something great, if only for a few moments. It also serves as great background music for cleaning the house and cooking dinner.
Great, considering. November 10, 2001
mixer (Spring City, USA)
10 out of 11 found this review helpful
This film has many intriguing qualities. Jerry Garcia played his razor sharp leads like he usually does. The band, even after 20+ years, continue to play their relaxed jam style music.
The first set has it's good and not so good qualities. Songs like "Cumberland Blues" and "Me and My Uncle" were played almost as well as they were played 20 years ago. During "Desolation Row," Bob Weir sang solo (until the end)- with a catchy rhythm on his guitar. Though many other musicians tend to lose their voice over the years, Weir proves that this is not always the case. Brent Mydland, a brilliant keyboardist that he is, played his heart out throughout the film- but he showed his stance best during "West LA Fadeaway."
Though a great set, I was troubled by how Jerry (Garcia) was getting along. He had obviously gained a substancial amount of weight. Furthermore, his voice vas hoarce and raspy- as if he had laryngytis. I am sad to say that I have seen Garcia in better circumstances in live performances in the past. Yet, he maintained his BRILLIANT guitar leads- razor sharp and binding. Now, the second set has a more positive atmosphere. Classics like "China Cat Sunflower" and "I Know You Rider" were played with melodies by Mydland and Garcia. The band's improvisory skills are still sharp and clearly apparent during the playing of "Playing in the Band" and "Uncle John's Band." This version of "Playin" was streatched out a good 13 minutes- where "UJB" was easily intertwined afterwards. One of the highlights of the show was the drum instrumental. As a fan of the Grateful Dead for many years now, I continue to ask myself: How many different types of percussion is Mickey and Bill playing? To this day, that question continues to amaze me. As a former student of tabla master Alla Rahnka, Mickey Hart adds flavor and facination to his work- clearly apparent here. After the drumming solo, Garcia played his Fender guitar (not his usual Pegasus guitar)to sound like a saxophone. Then, Weir and Lesh join in 2 minutes or so apart and-
g r a d u a l l y played raw notes that resulted in the formation of "The Wheel." Weir and Mydland were on lead vocals- playing strong and hard vocals. Then- after the song was over, the drummers played a 6 beat cycle which lead to the formation of "Gimme Some Lovin" with Phil Lesh on backing vocals. The show progressed through "Going Down the...." and a powerful "Not Fade Away." Unfortunately, The closing credits played thru "Johnny B. Goode," a great song all of in itself being disrupted.
Like I said, despite seeing Garcia's harsh,"drier than usual" vocals and his signs of deteriating health, this film is an exceptionally good film.
The best we've got February 2, 2000
Mark Coffey (Austin, Texas USA)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
Any Deadhead can quibble over song selection, and present a wish list of what might have been, but the unmistakable fact is, unless somebody opens up the video vault, this is the best (almost complete) live Dead performance we have. As another viewer correctly states, there are three songs from the last show substituted at the end of the first set, but I happen to find their presence very valuable. "Desolation Row" is a nice understated version, with chilling harmony from Jerry near the end, and I found the "West L.A." to be a fiery performance to rank near the best. My only quibble (well, a Deadhead has to quibble!) is not enought Primal Dead. "The Other One" would have been nice! Great stuff, though, and beautiful sound and camera work.
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