Phil and Friends
Berkeley Community Theater
September 24, 1994

Source: SBD > DAT(s) > CDR via Michael Zelner encoding Matt Vernon > EAC(secure) > mkwact(seekable) by mvernon54@attbi.com 12/26/2002

Lineup:
Jerry Garcia - Guitar and Vocals
Bob Wier - Guitar and Vocals
Vince Welnick - Keyboards and Vocals
Phil Lesh - Bass and Vocals


Disk 1 [62:00]
Set 1 - Acoustic

01. Tuning & Bob Weir intro
02. Walking Blues,
03. Lazy River Road,
04. K.C. Moan,
05. Dupree's Diamond Blues,
06. Childhood's End,
07. When I Paint My Masterpiece*,
08. Attics Of My Life,
09. Cassidy >
10. Bird Song >
11. Throwing Stones (only acoustic version ever)

This was probably the first official "Phil and Friends" concert. The fact that it was Jerry, Bob, Vince and Phil "unplugged" at Berkeley Community Theater made it a special event. The show sold out in 15 minutes. From the Live Music Archive at http://www.archive.org/audio/etree-details-db.php?id=21611
I posted it here because it is one of the most incredible shows from the 90s and I don't think it has circulated well. Hopefully you enjoy it as much as I do. Support Phil and go see him live sometime! - Dub Irie

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Rave Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars March 30, 2006
Reviewer: RocknRoll Soldier
Subject: download and be merry
I think this is the first real Phil and Friends show. If this isn't 5 stars I don't know what is. Gotta be the best Attics of My Life I ever heard and the Cassidy is awesome if only because of the casual acoustic setting and magic in the air. It seems like they knew it was a send-off in a way. Berkeley Community is where after 30 years of touring the Dead had come full circle to their roots at a classic home venue with this unusual spur of the moment show. Vince stands out here folks. Jerry sounds good but more like Father Time than ever. He always enjoyed acoustic stuff more than the Dead anyway. This board is too clean. Soldier says download and be merry.

5 out of 5 stars March 16, 2006
Reviewer: tivo
Subject: Excellent
Thanks, Phil!! Rock on...

5 out of 5 stars December 28, 2005
Reviewer: 24inchkick
Subject: vinny dubya
first of all this is a great, crisp SBD of a tasty show. jerry's flubs aside, everyone's playing is at their acoustic best. and for you anti-welnicks out there, check out the bird song and tell me he's not a great player. one of my favorite 90's performances for sure.

5 out of 5 stars December 28, 2005
Reviewer: Dub Irie
Subject: Epic Gem
This rare Berkeley event was near impossible to record from the audience because the crowd was so explosive. You can hear it faintly on this recording, but at the show it was uproarious and thundering applause. I tried to tape and gave up. I am grateful to Phil this SB exists here in such beautiful condition. The event was pure acoustic magic and the last acoustic event with Jerry (I believe). It is a refined, short show, but very well played. Notable to me is the vocal harmonies in Attics of My Life, and an exotic Cassidy>Birdsong jam. If you like the acoustic Dead, this is must have.

5 out of 5 stars December 28, 2005
Reviewer: Dub Irie
Subject: Epic Gem
This rare Berkeley event was near impossible to record from the audience because the crowd was so explosive. You can hear it faintly on this recording, but at the show it was uproarious and thundering applause. I tried to tape and gave up. I am grateful to Phil this SB exists here in such beautiful condition. The event was pure acoustic magic and the last acoustic event with Jerry (I believe). It is a refined, short show, but very well played. Notable to me is the vocal harmonies in Attics of My Life, and an exotic Cassidy>Birdsong jam. If you like the acoustic Dead, this is must have.

5 out of 5 stars December 28, 2005
Reviewer: Dub Irie
Subject: Epic Gem
This rare Berkeley event was near impossible to record from the audience because the crowd was so explosive. You can hear it faintly on this recording, but at the show it was uproarious and thundering applause. I tried to tape and gave up. I am grateful to Phil this SB exists here in such beautiful condition. The event was pure acoustic magic and the last acoustic event with Jerry (I believe). It is a refined, short show, but very well played. Notable to me is the vocal harmonies in Attics of My Life, and an exotic Cassidy>Birdsong jam. If you like the acoustic Dead, this is must have.

5 out of 5 stars December 28, 2005
Reviewer: Dub Irie
Subject: Epic Gem
This rare Berkeley event was near impossible to record from the audience because the crowd was so explosive. You can hear it faintly on this recording, but at the show it was uproarious and thundering applause. I tried to tape and gave up. I am grateful to Phil this SB exists here in such beautiful condition. The event was pure acoustic magic and the last acoustic event with Jerry (I believe). It is a refined, short show, but very well played. Notable to me is the vocal harmonies in Attics of My Life, and an exotic Cassidy>Birdsong jam. If you like the acoustic Dead, this is must have.

4 out of 5 stars November 07, 2005
Reviewer: dmilks
Subject: 9-24-94
Well, I forgot all about this one, and since it is listed in the Phil & Friends category, it took me a while to come across it as I am not huge on Phil & Friends post 8-9-95. But, indeed this is technically the first Phil Lesh & Friends show. So, I guess I can't say I don't like ALL the Phil & Friends shows. This is nothing against Phil, I absolutely love the guy, and saw enough Dead concerts to have probably paid for a year of Grahame's college education, I just don't jive with the Phil & Friends thing. The show itself is a little on the sloppy side on Garcia's and Weir's part. Phil is barely audible in this mix (but he gets slightly louder throughout the set), and even with some EQ magic, he is a little distant. Vinnie, believe it or not in my opinion, gives the most solid performance of the night. Still 4 stars just for the cause which was most worthy, and the fact that it happened.

5 out of 5 stars October 02, 2005
Reviewer: doug01
Subject: Very Nice
My favorite "Dead" show of 94, and the only acoustic Throwing Stones by the boys ever....Download!

5 out of 5 stars October 02, 2005
Reviewer: doug01
Subject: Very Nice
My favorite "Dead" show of 94, and the only acoustic Throwing Stones by the boys ever....Download!

5 out of 5 stars September 27, 2005
Reviewer: Lynch
Subject: I echo all the previous reviews
One of my favorite things to listen to in this life of mine is acoustic GD. This show is everything a person with such an affinity could ever want.

5 out of 5 stars August 29, 2005
Reviewer: rollthembones
Subject: Great concert
The best of the last year. If someone knows of a better Childhood's End, then I'll be damned because this one is fantastic.

5 out of 5 stars August 15, 2005
Reviewer: Peacefuljon
Subject: Acostic Dead
Great show, lazy river, is acoustic, Jerry sounds great Overall great sound can't lose...a grateful Jem

5 out of 5 stars May 31, 2005
Reviewer: StrawRider
Subject: Background
This marvelous show, the very first "Phil Lesh and Friends", is this result of Phil Lesh responding to the need of his old school's music program at Berkeley High. Tickets sold out in 20 minutes! For a complete story: http://www.philzone.com/philbase/ You can find a review link (RV) in the show detail box on the 1958-1998 page. It's a very honest and informative review by a certain Nicholas Meriwether who, according to my search engine, apparently was born in 1631 and settled in Virginia. Talk about dead. Probably another Nicholas Meriwether went to this benefit I'm thinking. Maybe the one who worked on the deadlettersmagazine.com a few years ago. Anyway, read the review!

5 out of 5 stars May 27, 2005
Reviewer: muchabrats
Subject: Sound 6 Stars, Playing 5 Stars
I’m in the process of downloading the rest of the show right now but my first impression is WOW. Sound quality is worth 6 stars. The introduction is actually quite amusing. Cassidy is excellent, shades of acoustic 1980. Garcia’s playing sounds superb. I must admit I only saw three Dead shows after Brent died and I was working for the opening band so I didn’t get to experience the shows like I used to. I was unaware of Jerry’s carpal tunnel. It doesn’t seem to be an issue here. Dupree's Diamond Blues sounds phenomenal as well. I’ve never been a fan of Vince but he’s actually quite good on a piano. Worth the download for certain.

5 out of 5 stars May 27, 2005
Reviewer: Grapefruit Fred
Subject: Tasty.........Tasty.........Tasty
I just stumbled across this one. What a gem. If you like acoustic music, this is definitely for you. Sweet playing AND singing as well. Does anyone know the background of this performance? Was this some kind of benefit show? Regardless, it is a real treat, and a million thanks to Archive.com and all of the selfless people that make it happen for all of us. ENJOY!!!!!!!!

5 out of 5 stars April 21, 2005
Reviewer: skwimite
Subject: Sweet Sound
To echo other sentiments here, this really does belong in the GD section, but I'm NOT complaining. I've had an audience version that ended halfway through "Attics", a truely painful experience. The sound is great, the performance great, and why are you wasting time reading, when you should be downloading this treasure? Thank you to those responsible. A big 5 stars!

5 out of 5 stars February 04, 2005
Reviewer: dead trail
Subject: A must have
It's a toss-up between this crispy, very fine sound board and the scheops audience recording. The show itself: anyone who loved Jerry Garcia and his incredible musical contribution to humanity needs to hear this. A late career acoustic performance with longtime mates Bobby and Phil, makes for a very special evening of music. Vince adds some wonderful color and flourishes. Stand out tunes for me are the "Dupree's" and "Attics of my Life" (and kudos to Robert Hunter for penning such a sweet and lonesome soliloquy). Consider doing what Im doing: Download, grab a cold bottle of Brooklyn Lager, put on some good quality headphones and smile, smile, smile. P.S. In agreement with the previous review, adding this show into the Grateful Dead category would not be a bad move at all.

4 out of 5 stars January 31, 2005
Reviewer: phildarkside
Subject: cool!
This is the famous "unplugged" show with Bobby's rap in the beginning. Very cool as I have never seen a soundboard of this. The widely circulated AUD source is pretty good, especially during Throwing Stones where you can hear the taper going "Ashes ashes all fall down" along with the band. Anyway the soundboard version is much cleaner and clearer. The beand seems to be in a very good mood and are talkative in the beginning. Great to hear some of the last days of real good Jerry acoustic. This is a must have! It really should be in the GD section IMHO.


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