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Books and Music

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Submissions

15
It Must Have Been The Roses
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

Almost every song from this show could be nominated for a "best ever." This heartfelt "Roses" is no exception.
11
Aiko Aiko
Dec. 31, 1987
Oakland Coliseum Arena

With the Neville Bros. Jerry gets his Big Easy on.
17
Promised Land
May 25, 1977
The Mosque

Perfection to end the first set of one of the truly great shows ever. Keith, Bobby, Jerry--the whole crew is in the pocket and rocking it hard.
15
Promised Land
April 1, 1980
Capitol Theatre

Both the best and worst version ever. Why? April Fool's gag: Bobby - keys, Brent & Jerry -drums, Billy - bass - Mickey -guitar Phil-vocals
75
Big River
May 9, 1977
War Memorial

They just could do no wrong at this show, Hidden among all the other gems is this monster River. Big solo work by Jerry; nice fills by Keith.

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.