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Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+48136


Submissions

1
Samson and Delilah
June 22, 1976
Tower Theatre

These early ones have such brilliant swagger, you can really hear the gospel power to them
6
The Wheel
June 22, 1976
Tower Theatre

Such floating beauty, you can feel the tires humming down the highway. Part of a magic Playin' sammy too. Everything about this is brilliant.
3
Cassidy
June 22, 1976
Tower Theatre

Just exactly perfect here. Bobby and Donna were perfection in '76, The little AUD patch doesn't hurt at all. Jerry and the Devils tear it up.
2
Looks Like Rain
June 22, 1976
Tower Theatre

Donna and Bobby in perfect sync, beautifully harmonizing, and backed up with brilliant Jerry fretwork. '76 was Donna's best year by far.
4
The Music Never Stopped
June 21, 1976
Tower Theater

Short set opener, but if there's one where Donna saves it all with breathy ahhhs and mmmms, it's this one. Gentle whispers around 03:30.

Comments

Friend of the Devil
Oct. 10, 1976
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

Oomph and swagger here, with Donna's dulcet harmonies adding just that sweet touch that make the ballad interpretation so beautiful (though I'm partial to the uptempo bluegrass versions overall). This has a pulse that pushes against the tempo ever so nicely, helping the swing never drag. Keith leads a beautiful interlude during the middle section -- but then Jerry takes him to school with a blazing solo.
Deal
Oct. 10, 1976
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

90's Deal fans should have a listen here for a great example of how they could turn this out in any era when the spirit took them. Jerry is just on fire here.
Might As Well
Oct. 10, 1976
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

My personal theory is that they wouldn't play Might As Well unless Jerry was feeling pretty good, and it's therefore a decent indicator of an energetic show and good party. This show opener is no exception! The 9th gets all the love for its great 2nd set, but Dick knew what for by releasing it together with this show on the 10th. DP33 is genuinely better quality than the other versions on the Archive too.
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
Oct. 9, 1976
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Stadium

The Slipknot reprise out of Samson is tremendous, and as far as I know unique. Rebuilding slipknot from a totally different groove than normal is just wildly impressive. (Not that it could be easy out of Help on the Way either, it's just a known animal.)
St. Stephen
Oct. 9, 1976
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Stadium

Makes you wonder how it was knowing that the Who were on next at this show. Seems like they were driven with intensity and purpose throughout the show, maybe a kind of musical assertiveness: "You come to our turf... top that!" kind of friendly competition. Jerry also jokes in an interview at one point about how The Who were a tough act to follow at Woodstock.