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grendel

Books and Music

+24543


Submissions

56
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Sept. 11, 1982
West Palm Beach Auditorium

The very definition of "underrated." Almost lost to time& yet it kills. No flubbed verses, great steady reggae jams;perfect transition. Please try it.
46
Ramble On Rose
Nov. 30, 1980
Fox Theatre

Jerry sounds "just like Wolfman Jack" when he growwwlllzzz out the final chorus on "Goodbye Mama & Papa...!" Whole version is aces back to back!
45
It's All Over Now Baby Blue
Oct. 10, 1982
Frost Amphitheatre

Jerry in especially soulful voice on this completely perfecto version from one of the best shows of '82. If you like 4-6 Spectrum, you'll love this.
18
Playin' In The Band
Oct. 12, 1984
Augusta Civic Center

My favorite "sandwich" version, this PITB actually begins in the 2nd set as reprise from the previous night! Insane weaving thru UJB/Space/Dew
22
Samson and Delilah
May 13, 1977
Auditorium Theatre

Goofy stage banter by Bob, then the rippingest, roaringest, best-drummed version I know.

Comments

Spanish Jam
July 19, 1974
Selland Arena

It's a good one, very deep and dark and driving, and absolutely melts into a pretty terrific Eyes.
Scarlet Begonias
July 19, 1974
Selland Arena

This and a sublime Spanish Jam>Eyes are really the only reasons to shell out bucks for the Dave's Picks release of this show, which is really a huge disappointment...also Exhibit A of why I would never pony up for the annual subscription release for a year (not knowing what you're gonna get.) Most of this Selland show is inexplicably overrated and features mostly sloppy play, blown lyrics, and a tinny '74 WOS reproduction. That said, this particular Scarlet stand alone is aces, and unique among any ever played. The tone and riff Garcia lights into (as noted by others) near the 5-minute mark has never been done in any other version ever and is a remarkable hard-rock killer solo that then morphs nicely back into a more familiar Scarlet groove. They nail the rejoin coda as well and for a 1974 version it may very well be the best ever.
Dark Star
Oct. 26, 1989
Miami Arena

Gack. This one is just stupid. And no, I don't mean "stupid good", just pure stupid. Probably killed a few manatees down in Florida playing this screechfest of annoying nonsensical cacophony with absolutely zero sense of musicality. Wouldn't care so much except this is the show they chose to represent 1989 on the "Circles" boxed set; that's a crying shame and a waste of space.
Aiko Aiko
April 11, 1978
Fox Theatre

Perfect Crescent City groove, Jerry having fun growling out lyrics, whole band in tow...unlike many other versions from this era it ends on a final down beat before charging into a SugarMag...+1 (Big) Easy!
Stella Blue
April 19, 1982
Baltimore Civic Center

^^^^ My top 5 shows for '82 would be this one, 4/6/82, 9/11/82, 4/3/82, and the reigning champ 10/10/82. Will def. check out that HG from 10/28/77...there's much from that show I already love (the Casey Jones is a beast) but it's been a while since I really sat down and listened to that whole 2d set.