headyversion

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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

Estimated Prophet
March 20, 1986
Hampton Coliseum

Having been at this bust out show--yes. this is an (almost) understandably overlooked Estimated, but it really should be heard if you haven't had the pleasure--the place was swaying and twirling like mad to this one--it's a byoot.
Estimated Prophet
Aug. 12, 1979
Red Rocks Amphitheatre

No question this is one of the best Brent-era versions--early in his tenure he adds some amazing piano-like jazz fills (mercifully free of the tinkly Fischer-Price toy sounds he would adopt later) in the post lyrics jam outro and the main jam sections have Garcia and Weir both at the top of their games....outstanding version that should be a lot higher on the list.
Brother Esau
Aug. 20, 1983
Frost Amphitheatre

funk fest-- punchy Brent fuzz fills--& tighter than expected early version--slightly different lyrics --could use some extra ears on it
Uncle John's Band
May 26, 1977
Baltimore Civic Center

No way this shouldn't be in double digits--the vocal harmonies on this A+ version are reason enough for an upvote but you also get the precision and focused jamming that mark all the best versions--rhythm devils are also beastly in the outro jam--overlooked probably b/c of length and the show itself which is one of the most underrated of '77. Do yourself a favor and listen to this byoot and upvote if you agree it's deserving of a much higher ranking
Big River
April 11, 1978
Fox Theatre

Exactly! So many Rivers some of the best can get lost & you've identified one that shouldn't. Flowing, confident, brilliant Jerry picking, and such beautiful work by Keith along the way--great boards available too to bring out all the richness of sound--don't let this Big River pass you by!
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