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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

9
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
May 13, 1977
Auditorium Theatre

Almost beyond description. The last full jam leading into the GDTR chorus is a perfect storm example of what made the Dead magic
12
Brown Eyed Women
May 17, 1977
Memorial Coliseum

Gotta check out the "small" songs in legendary shows like this as well as the usual suspects! Check out Jerry's utterly perfect bridge jam & be in awe
22
Bird Song
Sept. 22, 1993
Madison Square Garden

If you don't know Saxophonist David Murray, here's a good way to find out how great he is. This is one stellar Birdsong that flew under the radar here
19
They Love Each Other
May 17, 1977
Memorial Coliseum

Is there anything prettier, sweeter or more sublimely lovely than Keith's piano in this version? You decide. This TLEO is incredible.
56
Sugaree
May 11, 1977
St. Paul Civic Center Arena

New #1 favorite. Slightly more compact than other amazing '77 versions & so a bit more focused. 2d Garcia solo has no equal.

Comments

Dark Star
Sept. 24, 1972
Palace Theatre

Right back atcha cgarces!
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
Oct. 1, 1994
Boston Garden

Stunned by how good this version is, especially the Franklin's, which really cooks and never meanders like many much longer versions...the jams are focused and energetic and Garcia delivers the vocals really well with no missed lyrics. Great percussion fills also into and out of Slipknot. I'm not impressed by much in '94 but this show delivers consistently (great Althea as well). This needs some ups.
Dark Star
Sept. 24, 1972
Palace Theatre

I don't know what to do about this version, it's really got me perplexed. On first blush it would seem to be the kind of Star I despise--heavy on the dissonance--in fact, the lion's share of the jam is a mad frenzy of aggressive Garcia-led fury with no time for any "beautiful jam", "MLB" or "feelin' Groovy" anything emerging from the chaos. It's relentless, it's angry, and yet it's also mesmerizing in its own way. There's a propulsive feel to this one. Even though it favors the darker side of the star than the light, it never veers off into isolated weirdness or aimless Phil bass soloing which has ruined (IMO) many fine versions from this and the next two years worth of Dark Stars. Everything moves forward in this version...I suppose the best analogy is that it's like a musical shark that has to keep driving forward or it'll die...and in fact it ends up merging into one of the finest China>Riders ever, so it never actually ever comes to rest. I suppose it's the kind of version I really have to be in a certain mood to listen to...and it does demand your attention. No casual listening or background music here. This DS will NOT be ignored, and I'll bump it here, even though it'll never be a warm and fuzzy "favorite" for me.
Althea
Oct. 1, 1994
Boston Garden

I'm sold. Some real nice vocal delivery on this one, especially given the year. Great outro jams, nice brisk tempo while still hitting all his spots, and Jer even has a bit of fun on the "little sympathy" line. He's feelin' it on this one.
Cold Rain and Snow
April 15, 1970
Winterland Arena

Garcia is really belting out the vocals on this one and it's got a bit of a longer jam break than many versions of this era. +1!