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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

2
Darkness Jam
March 26, 1973
Baltimore Civic Center

Call it a "near" Darkness Jam coming out of WX report prelude you'll hear a hint of the main theme about 1:12 in & the rest is just exquisite
2
Samson and Delilah
Nov. 29, 1979
Cleveland Public Hall

Ripping right out of a sensational (& underrated Shakedown) this equally shines w/fast flowing Garcia licks typical for the year & Brent on fire too
2
Me and My Uncle
May 2, 1970
Harpur College

Maybe b/c it's w/New Riders but one of the best acosutic versions ever should be here! Riders w/great backing vox + Jerry on pedal steel!
2
Bertha
Nov. 20, 1971
Pauley Pavilion

The new DaP release showcases how good this, especially w/Keith way up front in the mix & kicking the tune into ragtime jazz gear-a fantastic version!
3
Don't Ease Me In
Dec. 9, 1979
Kiel Auditorium

Don't sleep on this one. Brent's sweeping fluorishes permeate + a nice epic coda. Overlooked tune from a sleeper show now w/more looks due to DaP#47
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Comments

Althea
March 21, 1981
Rainbow Theatre

so much higher this should be on the board. Great slinky groove & the whole band--not just Garcia--rocks the house on the outro. '81 Altheas rule--this needs to move on up!
Uncle John's Band
June 30, 1974
Civic Center

Best kept UJB secret of 1974 right here. Come for the tiny snippet of Slipknot jam but stay for the beautifully sung, flowing, relaxed, jammed-out magnificence of a version that emerges from the chaos of a raucous PITB meltdown and back into a sweet reprise. This whole show is an under the radar masterpiece
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
May 26, 1973
Kezar Stadium

This version has the X factor, the little twists and turns that set it apart from its many great counterparts of the year and era. As many have said here the shorter Feelin' Groovy Jam really works in the less is more sense but mostly it's the relaxed, confident tone Jerry takes on his turns and Bob's really outstanding counter rhythms that make this one shine. Sounds even better with new boxed set clean ups...deserves to move up the ladder.
Althea
Feb. 26, 1981
Uptown Theater

Great end jam & if you don't get bothered by Garcia lyrical miscues, go ahead and upvote. But the mumblecore thing keeps me from sending this one up the ladder. Too bad b/c Jer does shed the end jam...it's just that there are many other versions (5/1/81 just for starters) where he does the same but doesn't butcher the words.
Let It Grow
Dec. 5, 1981
Market Square Arena

If you've heard the masterful 5/1/81 version & loved it you'll fall head over heels for this one, too...just about its equal and that's saying something. Garcia is lightning on this but in total control and the rest of the band is just in heavy beast mode, letting up on the throttle only to ease seamlessly into the two quiet drifting sections like a feather on a gentle breeze. Superior rendition.
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