As a part of their continuing “All The Years Live” video series, Grateful Dead Inc. has shared the band’s final version of “Blow Away,” circa 7/16/90, recorded just 10 days before keyboardist Brent Mydland’s passing.
“This Brent Mydland song, debuted in 1988, was a show-stopper whenever it was played through the summer of 1990, and this was the final live version by the Grateful Dead,” GD archivist David Lemieux says of the video. “All 23 versions feature something very special.”
With heartfelt vocals from Mydland, and some nice organ work for good measure, this “Blow Away” is a fitting farewell to the musician, who still remains a key player in the GD legacy.
To stay updated on the band’s “All The Years Live” series, subscribe and visit the Grateful Dead YouTube channel.
Watch “Blow Away” below:
9 Comments comments associated with this post
Mark D Keating
July 11, 2019 at 11:58 pm“I had something caught inside
Screaming hard to make it known
In time it died alone”
A sweet guy who got moving too fast. Nobody in the band ever wrote more honestly or candidly about what that experience was like for them. “900,000 of steel, made to roll” Had the pleasure of shaking his hand one night..he said, “Don’t crush me man, somebody really got me earlier.” You can be surrounded by love, but still not feel it if you don’t love yourself. “There’s only one way to make it today, and I’m doing all I can for me.” Miss you, Brent. “You can’t be lost if you’re always found”.
Mole
July 11, 2019 at 8:42 pmThey need to release this entire July 16, 1990 show from Buffalo. One of my favorite GD shows and the 2+ hour CSN set that opened the night just got the place so unbelievably stoked (and believe me, I’ve seen CSN when they sucked many times and this night was magic for both CSN and the GD). Put the whole show out guys!
Love you Brent! Miss you SOOOOO much!!
RIP buddy!
Robert Herbert
July 11, 2019 at 5:48 pmMy first GD shows were MSG 79,I’m sure I would have continued the journey but Brent sealed my fate.His powerful soulful vocal combined with devastating B3 bomber keys was unparalleled- Gimme Some Lovin- nuff said.The connection with JG was endearing- RIP
Davino
July 11, 2019 at 3:38 pmI have always said that if Brent didn’t die, Jerry wouldn’t have. He broke Jerry’s heart…
Thom Moore
July 11, 2019 at 3:16 pm” I Will Take You Home” spoke volumes about Brent. He was my favorite on keys and added exceptional vocals to the band. I love the shots of his set up with his daughters’ pictures taped right in front of him. I don’t think Jerry was the same after Brent’s passing. Jerry knew they had lost a key ingredient to their later years success.
D of KC
July 11, 2019 at 2:58 pmI was simply devastated after seeing both 7-04-1990 in KC (Tour opener) thru the final 3 shows of summer 1990 at Tinley park, IL (World CRAPPO-Ampi-theater with acoustics from HELL!). 4th of July Show proved that Brent was not happy, very detached after his wife had left him. He simply was an emotional mess. Then in Chicago he yells out- “You f-IIn Beotch” during Far From Me? said it all, very broken man, So hurt when he died, needle still stuck in his arm at 38 yrs of age. What a sad way to go… Will always miss this soulful genius of a keyboard crooner! Amazing Brent was!!! D of KC
PRE-MTV
July 11, 2019 at 2:50 pmThe band never hit their stride again, even tho they tried. If the European shows weren’t already “locked down” with contracts guaranteeing them to perform, I think they would have called it a night. Brent was Jerr’s energizer bunny. Cried when he died. Damn him!
Cheers
July 11, 2019 at 12:18 pmBig love for Brent. I was at those final Tinley Park shows. Recall a couple of times they had him up on the jumbo-tron during the show (during “Never Trust a Woman” maybe?). Brother looked like he was going about 300 miles an hour. Sad ending for one of the last guys with any soul in that outfit….
TCinNYC
July 11, 2019 at 12:18 pmBrent was awesome. As tortured as he was in his personal life, he brought it every night, and Jerry loved playing with him. It was that obvious. I still miss him a lot! I hope his family is ok, and I hope he continues to rest in peace.