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grendel

Books and Music

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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

Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
June 18, 1983
Saratoga Performing Arts Center

No version of this combo is more in need of a clean SBD. It would have many more votes if one existed. The AUDs in circulation do their best but frankly the music suffers for what's lost in the mix. Too bad, b/c this is a barn burner of the highest order.
Alabama Getaway
Nov. 30, 1979
Stanley Theater

Gave a full listen to this again and it's moved up to #1 in my book. Jerry shreds, Brent goes lightning on the keys, and Phil simply rules the universe on this version. Unbelievably insane driving-hard bass line that propels the entire tune. Sensational stuff.
The Other One
July 25, 1972
Paramount Theater

Need to add some more thoughts on this after a straight shot of listening to its 1/2 hour of awesomeness. When we get to the first verse, Bob completely butchers it. I mean, in spectacular fashion. He tries to backtrack and recover and none of it works, and here's thing--not only does it not matter, it actually is somehow fitting. Usually it annoys me no end when Jerry or Bob screw up the words but this particular version is so completely about the jamming that the lyrics hardly matter at all. They could in fact have played this like one of the wordless Dark Star versions and it would have been just fine. The jazz sensibilities in this version melt into a gorgeous, quiet yet melodic section that sounds like a ballad Jerry wrote that Hunter never quite put words to...it's that beautiful...and Phil's bass solo contains the Other One theme almost completely throughout so it's not aimless or "Seastone-ish" as some others are. That leads back into a hard charging main theme and Bobby finally getting the lyrics right for verse two. This is an astonishing version and easily has made it into my Top 3 all time.
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
May 9, 1977
War Memorial

The franklins portion does go on too long and sputters at parts. Agree with quinn it's not as tight as 8/13/75 and while it's still overall quite good (has that Classic May '77'sound) it still ranks to my ears behind several other versions including 4/23/77 and 6/9/77
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
Aug. 13, 1975
Great American Music Hall

It's still the best of the best. Tight as as a studio version but with all the jamming and energy of a great live performance, which of course it was. They never did a better one.