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grendel

Books and Music

+23590


Submissions

1
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
4
Man Smart, Woman Smarter
Dec. 30, 1983
Civic Auditorium

Some of the smoothest rhythm Bobby ever laid down on this tune. Brent provides great harmony. Super sweetness here!

Comments

Scarlet Begonias
July 3, 1984
Starlight Theatre

Easily overlooked as it doesn't connect directly to Fire but takes a turn into Touch instead...but this gets my upvote based on the Scarlet alone which really is beautifully played--some of the best pacing, especially on the flawless intro --propel us into a juicy and jammy '84 Garcia fingerpickin' fest of liquid lightning--check out the jam into Wind in the Willows--this is the stuff right here. Only caveat being Garcia's voice is in classic '84 stranglehold mode but he doesn't botch any lyrics and is giving it his all which more than makes up for the croaky vox. Real nice find here.
Bird Song
Sept. 19, 1972
Roosevelt Stadium

Wouldn't be this low if the DavesPicks better sounding version had been available sooner but now that it is I'd say this is one of those worth the whole purchase price for this one song--a more aggressive Bird for sure with Garcia getting gritty right from the git go and it's just pedal to the metal all the way thru the jam section but no one gets lost in the foray and the band tightens up beautifully for the drum break and everything that flows after is gold too...a faster than usual (for its time) version that somehow manages to capture the mellow essence of the tune as well. Easy ups here/.
Bird Song
Sept. 19, 1972
Roosevelt Stadium

Wouldn't be this low if the DavesPicks better sounding version had been available sooner but now that it is I'd say this is one of those worth the whole purchase price for this one song--a more aggressive Bird for sure with Garcia getting gritty right from the git go and it's just pedal to the metal all the way thru the jam section but no one gets lost in the foray and the band tightens up beautifully for the drum break and everything that flows after is gold too...a faster than usual (for its time) version that somehow manages to capture the mellow essence of the tune as well. Easy ups here/.
Row Jimmy
Dec. 10, 1973
Charlotte Coliseum

Slow drippy- trippy -syrupy version with sweet '73 Jerry vocals. Worth getting the Download Vol 8 version for best sound quality & especially so you can hear the little trills of rhythm Bobby plays underneath Garcia's solos.
Eyes Of The World
March 28, 1973
Civic Center

Jam after the last verse is where it's at with this A+ version--absolutely scorching post-lyrics playing --fast paced aggressive but precision-laden jazz --just phenomenal.