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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

130
Wharf Rat
Oct. 7, 1977
University of New Mexico

Most pristine version I've ever heard. So smooth, so clear. Keith leads the way, Jerry brings it home. . Essential for all Wharf Rat fans
18
Aiko Aiko
Aug. 10, 1982
Iowa Fieldhouse - University of Iowa

Another kick-ass version out of Space...not as long&rising a wind-up as the 9-14-82 tripiness), but raucous, fun & full of N'awlins cajun rock!
36
Cold Rain and Snow
Oct. 12, 1983
Madison Square Garden

Powerhouse. Garcia belts out vocals. Hear amazing riff of added notes in the main theme instrumental sections.Drums pound away as well.
7
Brown Eyed Women
Nov. 29, 1979
Cleveland Public Hall

Jerry commits strong vocals to this rendition--he's into it big time...& Brent adds great accompaniment. Very strong Garcia bridge jam as well.
118
Cumberland Blues
April 8, 1972
Wembley Empire Pool

They could actually hit the high notes in '72, and the jams? Goodness gracious--this one just rips a hole in the space/time continuum!

Comments

Aiko Aiko
April 9, 1988
Centrum

Fast & furious but spot-on with Jerry belting out vocals with an extra growl in his delivery towards the end..."Indian boy wanna go downtown..." verse included with the crowd giving it up for it right after. Short but blazing & party-down rendition worthy of upvote.
Loose Lucy
March 27, 1993
Knickerbocker Arena

Best version post-callback, hands down, and really, perhaps the best ever. It's close to impossible to find another version in which Garcia doesn't mess up at least one lyric (no missteps here), and this versions just hits every note, rocks hard, has great back-up vox, and a middle jam that Jerry tears into and winds up just exactly perfect into the final two verses. Drop the mic stuff here.
Playin' In The Band
March 19, 1977
Winterland Arena

Wish more folks would give this a listen and bump it WAY higher. As isles said this is an excellent sandwich version (the transition into Samson is sublime & I don't know how many times they even did this combo but I doubt there's a better one out there) but the Playin' itself--on both ends--is just spectacular: At times quiet, contemplative, at others jazzy and winding and never without focus. Keith in particular comes thru beautifully on this version and the lengthy reprise takes a sweet journey in and out of the main theme before coming back fully in a great conclusion. I believe '77 was the last truly great year for this song before it (mostly) became a lazy sort of vehicle to get into space or start a 2nd set with just a hint of exploration before heading perfunctorily into another tune, and frankly not all the versions in '77 gave it quite this level of respect and execution. Give this whole suite another try if you haven't in a while and see if you don't come away with renewed appreciation.
Lazy Lightnin' -> Supplication
May 11, 1977
St. Paul Civic Center Arena

No longer. Too good a version to be kept under double digits, though there are better ones this same month (5/18 and 5/22, but that's a pretty high bar.)
Althea
Dec. 12, 1980
Swing Auditorium

WHAT is this doing so far down the list??? This version groooooves its way to a spectacular Jerry solo end flourish. Superior rendition deserving of far higher ranking.