Wave To The Wind 3/8/92

I was at this show and I do not remember a thing about it.  Weird.  I have great memories of the next night with the Dark Star, but this one is a mystery. 

There are no good versions of Wave to the Wind.  I'm still shocked years later that Phil had anything to do with that pile of turd.  To me it's always sounded like the theme song to some shitty 80's tv show. 

I can’t imagine voluntarily listening to that at this point

"it's always sounded like the theme song to some shitty 80's tv show. "

We always said it sounded like "The Love Boat" theme.

I half take back what I posted.  Garcia could always find a spot in any song to put a smile on your face. 

But yes.. It's got that Love Boat/Allen Thicke thing going on. 

I hear a very distinct parallel between WTTW and Taste the Biscuit. 

The "WTTW"  at Nassau Coliseum xx/xx/199x had me contemplating "How can I escape Nassau Coliseum,  and then return to my Friends here in these seats,  perhaps enjoy the next Song..."

I opted to remain and learn to enjoy it for the moment.

That or leave the Coliseum for  parts unknown,  with those Horse cops out in the lot.

Could have been worse.

That was my first time hearing that song and all I can say is wow. Do they use the bad versions to interrogate terrorists? The only drug that would make that sound good is rohypnol. I think I would have taken my chances with the horse cops. 

wttw and picasso moon were played in the 2nd set of one of the best shows of '93.

but, yeah, it's no shoe fits or childhood's end.

horrible song

The first time I heard it was at the Palace at Auburn Hills in 92.  I had heard about it, and none of what I heard was good.  When it started, and I realized this must be that song because it kind of looked like Phil was leading the band as they were playing, I kind of thought "what was all the negative fuss about?"  Then came the lyrics...and the chords that went along with them, and YES, it WAS the LOVE BOAT theme...that was my thought exactly at the time.  I never really cared for it, and thankfully, that was the only time I ever heard it. 

When Phil started playing "Celebration" I was trying to describe it to a friend and I said "It's a little like Wave to the Wind except...." and before I could get another word out he said "Except it doesn't suck?"

Wave To The Wind could have been a potential hit song in a different era by a different band for a different audience. It doesn't rock out or inspire in the second set of a Dead show, but it's not objectively an absolutely terrible song taken in the appropriate context. It's got a catchy, pleasant melody in a soft, easy listening way that dangerously dangles on the edge of muzak. In an alternate reality, Wave To The Wind could have been produced and released as a potential radio hit by America, Seals & Croft or Air Supply.

I just listened to this 3/8/92 version, and did not find it unpleasant at all. But at a Dead show, I would have always rather heard another Estimated Eyes, and understand the buzzkill that WTTW was in that context, like serving tea and buscuits to a rowdy gang of Hell's Angels!

This thread got me looking through DeadBase...

The version I saw at Nassau was definitely 3-13-92. (*First locomotive airhorn during "Drumz"*)

Couldn't have been 4-1-93 as I would remember Barney the Dinosaur on bass,  and I was living in Oregon in 1993.

Think I was at the 3-8-92 Cap Center show as well,  and no doubt I attended at least one of the Spectrum shows that were 3-16-17-18-92,  probably two out of three.  So it's possible that I witnessed three  WTTW,  but I'd have to dig out those old ticket stubs.

Highly likely that I also saw Nassau 3-12-92,  as I would not have driven all the way to Long Island for one show.  I definitely remember staying at my pal Tony's place not too far from Hempstead,  and some Mexican restaurant that was excellent.  Also recall that we got scammed w/ fake tickets one night;  extras were tough to find,  but we did get real tickets in time.

Seeing Wave & Way to Go for the first time was a yawner, but for '92, with Garcia's health, this is a very well played 19 song show...

Let The Good Times Roll
Touch Of Grey
New Minglewood Blues
Ramble On Rose
Black Throated Wind
Loose Lucy
Desolation Row
Big Railroad Blues
The Music Never Stopped

Samson And Delilah
Long Way To Go Home
Foolish Heart
Looks Like Rain
Wave To The Wind
Drums
Space
All Along The Watchtower
So Many Roads
Throwin' Stones
Not Fade Away

The Mighty Quinn

The next night is a tough call, I waited 15 years to see Dark Star and Dew in the same show, but only 7 songs in each set, mic was out during the encore, missed verse 2 of Dark Star, and Garcia walked off after Corrina for a couple minutes...

Jack Straw
West LA Fadeaway
Me And My Uncle
Big River
Row Jimmy
Cassidy
Deal

Victim Or The Crime
Iko Iko
Corrina
Dark Star
Drums
Space
I Need A Miracle
Morning Dew

Satisfaction

"and Garcia walked off after Corrina for a couple minutes..."

He looked over at Bobby right before he left and indicated that he'd be right back.  My friend missed this (we were in about the 15th row) and thought that it was going to be three and out.  I assured him that Garcia would be back.  I assumed it was a pee break but who knows. 

I really liked this show, it's a decent Dark Star and had some nice improvisation which was sorely missing the previous night.  I think DC got more post era Dark Stars than any other city (except maybe SF?).

I had no problem with Wave. It was a bit lovably awkward, just like Phil, then opened up nicely.