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grendel

Books and Music

+24543


Submissions

33
Little Red Rooster
Nov. 30, 1980
Fox Theatre

All about Brent.
2
Drums
June 4, 1978
Campus Stadium - University Of California

Part of a very hardcore rock and roll 2nd set. HEAVY wailing Drums>Space>NFA w/motorcycle revs.
8
Beat it on Down The Line
May 16, 1972
Theatre Hall

Another Europe '72 tour winner. Bobby sez "Rock on out" for the bridge jam and Jerry obliges.
25
Ramble On Rose
May 22, 1977
The Sportatorium

Just discovered this one, available on archive as outtakes that didn't make the DP release. Simply put, it kicks ass.
8
Doin' That Rag
June 14, 1969
Monterey Performing Arts Center

Always a tough tune for the band to pull off but here they do it with authority. Jerry nails the vocals w/gusto!

Comments

Aiko Aiko
Aug. 30, 1978
Red Rocks Ampitheatre

Yes! Love this vastly underrated version! Has that great 1978 swagger to it and some funk on the side. Phenomenal "Eyes" from this show as well.
Playin' In The Band
June 16, 1974
Iowa State Fairgrounds

About to harsh everyone's mellow talking about how much I hate this version and to a lesser extent how overrated this entire show is. But first, let's discuss this train wreck, which begins with Keith's keyboard sounding like it's short circuited in the opening stanzas, but he keeps hitting the keys anyway, creating a nails on the blackboard-like monotone buzz noise that makes you palpably yearn for his acoustic piano to miraculously appear, but it never does. Then we get into the "jam" portion which consists of nothing interesting at all...a kind of lazy meander with no color or purpose until Jerry/Ned/Phil/whoever start trying to see who can play the most annoying screechfest of cacophony for the longest amount of time. It's not a melt down or a space exploration, it's just bad fucking noise and it goes on for far too long and is in no way saved by any kind of elegant re-entry into the main theme, and to top it off, there's the patented Donna off key caterwauling that sounds like Jerry accidentally stamped on her foot. This whole show is inexplicably held in high regard when almost every tune that's exalted is full of slop and tinny Wall of Sound reproduction. This might be the worst PITB of 1974 and the show itself is the dregs of the year, especially compared with so many better entries such as the February and October Winterland runs. Don't waste your time with this one, although with nearly 30 votes already I can see my kvetching is falling on deaf ears.
Truckin'
Aug. 25, 1972
Berkeley Community Theatre

Excellent vocals (never a given), well jammed outro section...fun Phil solo (not too long) & into TOO. Upvote
Days Between
Dec. 11, 1994
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Stadium

^^^^i I have to agree. A lot of heads I respect swear this song is the last great one I they ever wrote but I don't see it. Seems like a chore for the band to get through not to mention Jerry's really plain awful vocal croaking...his voice by this time simply couldn't handle this kind of dirge. The song itself is so devoid of rhythm or melody and is almost atonal. Just terrible stuff
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
May 22, 1982
Greek Theatre - University of California

Absolutely needs to climb the ladder. Top tier 1982 played with speed but also precision, Garcia's playing more fluid than choppy and the whole band in step. Energy sustains throughout and crystal clear board on source provided doesn't hurt either. Plus one.