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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

31
Let It Grow
Oct. 2, 1977
Paramount Theatre

The most "Spanish-flavored" of LIG's, evokes old southwest almost Mariachi vibe. Brilliant Garcia changes-Rise&Fall!
25
Althea
May 6, 1980
Rec Hall, Penn State U

Recent Road Trips release is a perfecto: Outstanding vocals from Jerry and a jam after the lyrics that grooves and rocks super-hard. 5-star version!
46
Deep Elem Blues
May 2, 1970
Harpur College

Jerry's voice just exactly bluesy perfect...groovy & slow acoustic cadence & the boys harmonizing sweetly on the chrouses. Outstanding early version
30
Box of Rain
March 20, 1986
Hampton Coliseum

A+ for the crowd alone. Are there better ones? Of course. But I was there & the ecstacy after 14 years of no Box makes this version legendary.
15
Mississippi Halfstep Uptown Toodeloo
Sept. 18, 1990
Madison Square Garden

Astonishingly strong Jerry vocals, especially given the year, and some of the prettiest Hornsby-led fills make this one a real great sleeper pick.

Comments

Man Smart, Woman Smarter
April 5, 1982
The Spectrum

After further review, this is the best one right here. Short but oh so funky. Just the slink-funk opening before they even sing a word is filthy. Great fun, solid, spot-on rendition. Hard to beat.
Morning Dew
June 18, 1974
Freedom Hall

I'm convinced. Not the biggest fan of '74 WOS shows (mostly due to the tinny sound of the vocals from the mics they used) but this one is damn near flawless. Jerry is fully committed vocally and the mics take nothing away from his impassioned reading. Four star version with a power-jam-fanning ending.
Not Fade Away
July 7, 1978
Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Upping this because yes indeed, about 3/4 of the way in, the second jam section gets a groovy, faster-tempo version of the "Nobody's Fault" jam going and it is for certain that tune. Very cool. Nice gritty guitar intro to this one as well. Does not ultimately rock as hard as the incredible versions from the year before but while being slightly more mellow in the jamming this one is nevertheless always interesting and with the Nobody's Jam you can hear the seeds of experimentation with themes that would become even more pronounced and varied in 1979 (see 11/2/79 for a great example; '79 was probably the most underrated year of NFA ever.) This one also sounds better than ever in the July '78 box and really should be higher.
Eyes Of The World
July 8, 1978
Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Yes, yes, and yes again. I'd say more but all I know is it needs to have at least 20 votes & is somehow not there yet.
Pretty Peggy O
July 3, 1978
St. Paul Civic Center Arena

The new Betty Board box set of July '78 gives this version the clean sounding spotlight it so desperately needed and deserved. Even among the scores of A+ versions of this tune (one they consistently did well in virtually all eras) this stands out for its extended, intricate, Garcia solo, slightly faster tempo, impassioned vocals and overall excellence. Should climb the ladder, and fast,