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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

2
The Mighty Quinn (Quinn The Eskimo)
May 11, 1991
Shoreline Amphitheatre

Slowest but also funkiest version ever played. Garcia stumbles out of the gates on lyrics but it's no train wreck & the band rescues for a winner
2
Aiko Aiko
May 11, 1991
Shoreline Amphitheatre

Bruce is boss on this one, his keys just adding color & style throughout the tune. Overlooked show & performance
3
Space
May 12, 1981
Veterans' Memorial Coliseum

Numerous "Lively Up Yourself" teases within this short space--follows a "He's Gone" dedicated to Bob Marley
4
Samson and Delilah
April 18, 1978
Civic Arena

Kicking intro out of Dancin'>Drums and into a typically raucous, rippin', 1978 Samson. You'll dig it for the into alone but the whole thing is a beast
2
Drums
March 2, 1992
The Omni

Heavy calypso rhythms & monstrous punctuation via The Beast make for an epic Drums out of Terrapin. 5 star stuff.

Comments

He's Gone
Oct. 19, 1974
Winterland Arena

double digits already please. Neglected I can only guess b/c of so many excellent versions in the '72-'74 era but this needs to be heard some more.
Morning Dew
Oct. 18, 1974
Winterland Arena

Whew. Move over Barton, & if not for the pure raw emotional old man Jerry voice power of 10/12//84 this would easily be my favorite. Technically speaking, this one is really the best. Jerry never sang it more beautifully, & unlike nearly every great version I can think of, the best guitar moment here is not in the big final coda, but in the jam following the "young man" section, a perfect blend of power & purpose & passion. What an amazing Dew. Again, if not for the raw emotional tsunami of 10/12/84 this would be my hands down favorite.
Black Throated Wind
June 23, 1974
Jai-Alai Fronton

Adding to the accolades for this excellent rendition w/Billy the true star as many have pointed out. This sounds better than ever as a DaP
Shakedown Street
March 18, 1990
Civic Center

total sleeper pick here, one of the best of the 90s for sure with ripping riffs & back up vox from Brent & great voice from Jerry as well. Faster paced jam again anchored by Brent. Really nice choice & surprisingly under the radar based on the mere 10 votes when I added mine.
Estimated Prophet
May 5, 1978
Thompson Arena - Dartmouth College

Get outta here that Garcia solo into the first jam break. This whole show is bonkers good & gets somehow overlooked but nothing in it is more under-appreciated than this stupendous EP. Better than many others currently sitting above.