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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

2
Greatest Story Ever Told
Oct. 9, 1982
Frost Amphitheatre

From the show always overshadowed by the next night, which is a shame. Fantastic Jerry/Brent conversation mid-jam. Give a listen!
11
Let It Grow
June 10, 1976
Boston Music Hall

Liquid
4
Althea
July 1, 1980
San Diego Sports Arena

3 versions on archive. Grab the SBD seeded by Brian Cole. Listen to the insane end jam. Listen to the whole thing. This is an A+++ version!
9
Lazy Lightnin' -> Supplication
Oct. 30, 1977
Assembly Hall - Indiana University

Can't believe what short shrift this show gets. They pull off the combo like gangbusters here.
5
Loser
Dec. 6, 1971
Felt Forum, Madison Square Garden

Glorious Jerry vocals, not one, but TWO "sweet Susie's", excellent gritty solo. Best early version ever!

Comments

Althea
Sept. 11, 1983
Downs of Santa Fe

Realizing "this is too low" comments are ubiquitous up and down the board but some of them are actually understatements--hoping you'll take the time to listen to this version & rank this among them. Garcia's in full control on this one--every lyric nailed, the solos are spellbinding and it's played at perfect tempo--a bit faster than the early 80s versions but not too fast--allowing plenty of funky accents in the bridge jamming--and Bobby's rhythm is sublime. Such a great great underrated version right here at less than 10 votes when I decided to pipe up about it.
Candyman
April 10, 1978
Fox Theatre

Why are we not talking about and up-voting this spectacular version? Just listen to Jerry's vocal commitment in the opening verse -- "Come all you pretty womenzzzz..." & later when the whiskey gets passed around he's all over it with a beaut of a guitar solo as well. Oughta be much higher
Ship of Fools
April 10, 1978
Fox Theatre

Ridiculously ignored version with a fully engaged Garcia vocal, great Donna harmonies, and beautiful playing throughout. Crazy this doesn't have more votes.
Deal
April 8, 1978
Veterans Memorial Coliseum

This here Deal is the real...well....deal. Seriously tho' it's vaulted right into my top 5 all time--no fooling. For one thing, it's got that great late 70's middle jam that goes around for several turns, all filled with color and nuance and panache in Jerry's leads (if you prefer the power jam codas that marked the 80's versions, that's fine too--may I suggest 5/1/81?), but fans of the slightly mellower yet still musically killer 70s versions are gonna love this. Best of all is Jerry's crazy good vocal reading throughout the tune--especially in the early going with lots of "if I told yas'" peppered with "people" and "burning off both your little ears"--always hallmarks of versions Jer was totally into--it's right here. Not to mention that the whole band wails vocally on the final portion--many go 'rounds on don't ya let that deal go down, but with overlapping call outs and awesome Donna interplay too. Such a stellar version sitting mired in sad single digits--so even if you don't have the new box set featuring this at least check it out on the archive--you won't be sorry.
Cassidy
April 7, 1978
The Sportatorium

Really think this one's better than advertised --a little more jamming than usual and dark's not a bad way to describe it--jer's solo is pretty intense but he sticks the landing...should get a bump from new box set