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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3568


Submissions

6
Tennessee Jed
Oct. 1, 1977
Paramount Theatre

Energetic, serene AND Garcia's break is pure ragtime gold. In a good TJ, the guitar is a character. Here: a little insolent. Quality.
2
The Wheel
June 28, 1976
Auditorium Theatre

That spacious, unadorned June 1976 sound is so perfect for The Wheel. This one's dynamic and delivered with feeling. Cool show.
2
Cumberland Blues
March 20, 1971
University of Iowa

Oh man: LISTEN! Vocals are mixed a bit high, but this Cumberland has all the important "little" details. Notes the quotes. B'AM!!!!
1
Tennessee Jed
July 12, 1976
Orpheum Theater

1976: Your standard issue tipsy, warm-hearted TJ of the period. The guitar break is more conversation than guitar solo. Standard but special.
2
Candyman
July 12, 1976
Orpheum Theater

Spare, almost vulnerable take on this classic. Godchaux brings the church and Garcia brings the stained glass. An American beauty.

Comments

Tennessee Jed
Oct. 9, 1976
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Stadium

'76 Tennessee Jed. Elite shit.
Jack Straw
Dec. 29, 1977
Winterland Arena

This version has its positives, but the drums are sloppy and that ruins any momentum (important in this song). Yep - D & Co. have plenty of other issues. I saw them once and hated it. Boring and I loathe John Mayer's putrid voice. Good guitar player, but not all THAT good. I don't begrudge them for doing it, but I find D & Co. annoying and vapid. Also, SLOOOOWWWWW. Yuck. + And credit to the New Yorker for the description "two old sneakers in a dryer" - although that characterization probably precedes the NYer article.
Playin' In The Band
March 28, 1972
Academy of Music

How did this one wind up the forgotten sister from these shows? This a flying beast! Garcia loses his mind at least three times.
Not Fade Away
Nov. 8, 1970
Capitol Theater

And toward the end of this furious NFA, a guitar orchestra ship descends softly and leads to some truly beautiful and unique way-outs. The toppest of drawers.
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
Nov. 8, 1970
Capitol Theater

Emerges from a devastating NFA, and soothes anyone concerned that we were always going to be in Abstractland. Tribal drum holdover from NFA adds a girthy edge. Then the group just settles in.