headyversion

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

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Submissions

5
Estimated Prophet
Jan. 30, 1978
Uptown Theater

You can hear the swagger in their mutterings before they play. And the performance bears that out. Sure, smooth, and effortless.
1
It Must Have Been The Roses
Aug. 4, 1974
Philadelphia Civic Center

Letter perfect - the Godchauxs take this to a loftier level. Beautiful dynamic push-and-pull by the whole group.
3
Tennessee Jed
May 25, 1972
Strand Lyceum

Planting the Flag of Civilization on this tight scorcher. New from factory - Inspector #9. Under penalty of law, this tag may not be YEAH GARCIA!
5
Candyman
Jan. 31, 1978
Uptown Theater

Dreamy, motionless rendition on a sea of individual human reactions [audience tape]. A wonderful time for this gem.
1
Bertha
March 14, 1971
Camp Randall Field House

At :30 Pig switches from tambourine to organ and we're off! These early '71 performances showcase Kreutzmann reveling in sweet space. Driving.
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Comments

Scarlet Begonias
April 29, 1977
The Palladium

Love the long intro - that's always a treat. Good, raucous audience, but you can pretty much hear everything. Tennessee says it's "relaxed and unforced" & that's dead on. Imperfect, but full of charm. Garcia is in that reading-defenses mode - going to second and third reads and just taking what the defense gives him. A very unique outro with the heavy arpeggiation forming a mesmerizing pattern until Garcia skitters out with the smokin' pitterpat of TB notes.
Dire Wolf
April 16, 1972
Aarhus University

Authoritative. Following a lethal, mini-epic Playin', this does more than simply cleanse the palette; it's a display: band at full confidence & swagger.
Playin' In The Band
April 16, 1972
Aarhus University

Perfect length, easy acceleration. Garcia's ridiculously under-appreciated wah work with Godchaux Van Gelder resonant chord comps. At its peak, it is so completely its own beast. And it is a beast. Biblical.
The Other One
Aug. 24, 1968
Shrine Auditorium

Yeah: "raw, elemental" is right! This is no frills with all the frills. Crisp, psychedelic, slaloming colossus.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Feb. 3, 1979
Market Square Arena

Pretty smokin' Garcia guitar break in Scarlet. Good sounding audience. But not a favorite for me. Drummers are flopping around like fish on a dock. Garcia forgets the verse after the bridge on Scarlet - that's one of those things that annoys the fuck out of me! Irrational of me, perhaps. I hate to be a dick about it, but this one lacks the detail of the best Scarlet>Fires. Has some inspirational moments, but also lots of sloppy work and Godchaux's often barely there. In general, a little too much indistinct musical chatter for my tastes. Still, totally worth a listen, but not competitive with the truly elite renditions. To me.
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