headyversion

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

78
Jack Straw
Oct. 20, 1984
Carrier Dome, Syracuse U

Crazy hard driving insanisty to end the first set. One of those jam segments that builds and builds and KABOOMS into final verse. Phil fans: a must
15
Stella Blue
April 19, 1982
Baltimore Civic Center

Sweet & melty....gorgeous harmonies from Brent.
81
Sugaree
Oct. 16, 1977
Louisiana State U

1977 was a helluva year for this song. I have no quarrel w/ 5/5, 5/19, or 5/21, but I think this one beats 'em all by a nose!
50
St. Stephen
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

With all due rfespect to Barton Hall & others, this is the best version out there (IMO). Bluesy, rockin', jammin', just exactly perfect
29
Candyman
Dec. 15, 1986
Oakland Coliseum Arena

Must hear b/c it's Jerry's first show back after the coma...crowd goes INSANE on "won't you tell everybody you meet that the Candyman's in town!"
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Comments

Morning Dew
April 15, 1978
William and Mary College Hall

^^^^glad to hear I’m not the only one who compares 4/78 to 5/77 ... so true. While I don’t put this particular Dew into my all time list (a few too many off note clams esp. in the early sections) this show overall & practically the whole month of April 78 has that “throw a dart hit a great show” dynamic just like May of 77 does. (4/8 4/12 4/15 4/16 4/24 all A+ gems). I do love this Dew tho bc it’s the only one of the year & of course there are parts where Jer just drops the hammer & stops you in your trax.
Let It Grow
April 20, 1984
Philadelphia Civic Center

Just a dense thicket of jam, everyone's ablaze here especially the rhythm devils. The Scarlet>Fire (deservedly) gets the lion's share of attention for this show but this is a show stopper in its own right.
Lazy Lightnin' -> Supplication
April 18, 1978
Civic Arena

...and worthy of those extra votes! A high energy version that does not suffer from sloppy or rushed playing as many later versions (esp. in the 80's) would , and Bobby pretty much nails down the lyrics here, which was never a given. but you can also tell how much fun they're having here & Donna is very much involved in a good way. Glad to nudge this into double digits
Playin' In The Band
Oct. 14, 1977
Hofheinz Pavilion

Absolute beast here...rockin' to start then drifting & dreaming with lots of contemplative space. Nice rejoin, too. Heckuva show but then again there's a whole lot of those from autumn 77
Passenger
April 15, 1978
William and Mary College Hall

Ugly train wreck as either Donna/Bobby come in too early on “passenger don’t you hear me” vocal or Garcia wasn’t ready. Either way the botch on this critical part of the tune keeps it from an upvote here. Most of the rest of this show is gold of course....
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