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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

23
Jack Straw
May 10, 1978
Veterans' Memorial Coliseum

From DP 25, Opens show at New Haven. Takes no prisoners. Extra shot of Jerry heading in bridge jam. Kinda surprised it's not on a list of 90+ Straws
7
Samson and Delilah
April 8, 1978
Veterans Memorial Coliseum

Shame on me for not submitting this earlier. Insane ripper to open 2nd set; Phil OWNS this version. Pause for nothing-- Listen NOW. Thank me l8r ;-)
30
Not Fade Away
Dec. 29, 1977
Winterland Arena

Latvala from "Grate" Beyond reminds of his Winterland pick: The Best. Jer rips holes in Universe; Drummers pummel; Listen to "drive me BACK" line!
7
Samson and Delilah
Dec. 5, 1979
Uptown Theater

Possibly best-ever of the Brent era. Bob preaches fire & brimstone and Jerry shreds the living daylights out of every jam. Serious MUST listen version
20
Shakedown Street
Dec. 5, 1979
Uptown Theater

A funk-laden but more laid-back, groovier vibe marks this excellent entry from Chicago. Notable for A+ vocals & harmonies and Bobby shines in end jam!
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Comments

Ship of Fools
Sept. 18, 1974
Parc des Expositions

For me, 5/9/77 is and always will be best ever, but dang if this one isn't nipping on its heels. Sung so beautifully by Jerry from what I'm starting to think now is THE best show of 1974. Everything is just so spot-on, and this version of Ship contains a brief but note-perfect Jerry solo and some delicate Keith organ fills that make it a tad different than other versions. Spectacular.
Uncle John's Band
Sept. 18, 1974
Parc des Expositions

Absolutely, NoNoYolker....this show is flooring me top to bottom. What a great UJB. Maybe take a 1/4 point off for the warbly vocals, but that's true of any '74 version. Still, the instrumental sections are gold and it's as sweet as it gets for a self-contained version that doesn't flow into anything else. In fact, in that category, it's hands down #1.
Black Throated Wind
Sept. 18, 1974
Parc des Expositions

Really strong version with a bit of a peppier tempo than most and more emotionally charged, especially toward the end. Bobby commits and delivers.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Sept. 24, 1972
Palace Theatre

@merryjerry Turns out they did have the complete IKYR in the vault so now this incredible version can be heard in all its glory and it truly is spectacular--not just because it melts into being from a crazy Dark Star....you can actually hear an "almost" moment where it sounds like they're about to head into the MLB/Feelin'Groovy jams that they would begin playing in '73 and carry throughout '74, but instead they just jam some more and intensify what they're already doing before heading flawlessly into Rider. This is easily making my Top 10 all time China>Rider list. Up it!
Viola Lee Blues
Nov. 10, 1967
Shrine Auditorium

Maybe a new number 1 for me. Shorter than some of the marathon versions in '68 but more focused for it, tighter all around, but losing none of the furious jamming of those big '68's. Sung really well by all, too.
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