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grendel

Books and Music

+24543


Submissions

31
Let It Grow
Oct. 2, 1977
Paramount Theatre

The most "Spanish-flavored" of LIG's, evokes old southwest almost Mariachi vibe. Brilliant Garcia changes-Rise&Fall!
25
Althea
May 6, 1980
Rec Hall, Penn State U

Recent Road Trips release is a perfecto: Outstanding vocals from Jerry and a jam after the lyrics that grooves and rocks super-hard. 5-star version!
46
Deep Elem Blues
May 2, 1970
Harpur College

Jerry's voice just exactly bluesy perfect...groovy & slow acoustic cadence & the boys harmonizing sweetly on the chrouses. Outstanding early version
30
Box of Rain
March 20, 1986
Hampton Coliseum

A+ for the crowd alone. Are there better ones? Of course. But I was there & the ecstacy after 14 years of no Box makes this version legendary.
15
Mississippi Halfstep Uptown Toodeloo
Sept. 18, 1990
Madison Square Garden

Astonishingly strong Jerry vocals, especially given the year, and some of the prettiest Hornsby-led fills make this one a real great sleeper pick.

Comments

The Other One
June 12, 1970
Civic Auditorium

Check out Tod Snider's immortalization of the Doc Ellis no-no: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG2SPjcKM4M
Eyes Of The World
Aug. 30, 1978
Red Rocks Ampitheatre

A nearly 4 minute intro sparkles and anchors this underrated gem from '78...a really fine even-paced entry that has Jerry plucking beautiful jazzy notes as if rolling along a river on a lazy afternoon. Up it!
Aiko Aiko
April 7, 1984
Irvine Meadows

I'm always on the search for great Aikos and this fits the bill. Thanks for pointing it out. Brent as mentioned is in full on Michael McDonald harmony mode (not in a bad way at all!) His ringing high backup is very much needed to counter-balance beautifully Jerry's growly 1984 lead vocal...but Jer is into this one and he nails his vocal parts w/gusto. The band is rolling in a half-fast/half slow rhythm that moves things along nicely. Great up n'down bop jam prior to the last verse--and that's when Jer really lets loose w/the growling. Perfect version for next Mardi Gras or any time you need a slice of the Crescent City.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Sept. 12, 1981
Greek Theater

This comes from a show that I would nominate for the greatest set list in GD history. You get in set 1 alone a Shakedown>GSET opener, a Birdsong>Cassidy (among other gems) closing w/a China>Rider. Then in set 2 a Scarlet>Fire opener, a CC Rider (!) 2nd set placement???really?, and an Estimated>Eyes. I truly cannot recall another show with that many marquee tunes all played under one roof on one night. (Did I mention the double encore of OMSN and Baby Blue?) One persnickety problem: all the available sources are AUDs and none of them are great. The CM source is predictably the best of the lot but even he couldn't save this from making you say "I wish there was a SBD of this show available." Still, it's a fine early 80's S>F....the jamming is exploratory and inventive and it's upvote worthy, but it's a little cruel listening to such an amazing show with so many golden nuggets sprinkled throughout and not having a very good sound to do it justice.
New Minglewood Blues
April 22, 1978
Nashville Municipal Auditorium

Final jam section starts with Keith, ends with Jerry, vocal rejoin just growled by Bobby. Gotta up it.