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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

46
Ramble On Rose
Nov. 30, 1980
Fox Theatre

Jerry sounds "just like Wolfman Jack" when he growwwlllzzz out the final chorus on "Goodbye Mama & Papa...!" Whole version is aces back to back!
43
It's All Over Now Baby Blue
Oct. 10, 1982
Frost Amphitheatre

Jerry in especially soulful voice on this completely perfecto version from one of the best shows of '82. If you like 4-6 Spectrum, you'll love this.
18
Playin' In The Band
Oct. 12, 1984
Augusta Civic Center

My favorite "sandwich" version, this PITB actually begins in the 2nd set as reprise from the previous night! Insane weaving thru UJB/Space/Dew
22
Samson and Delilah
May 13, 1977
Auditorium Theatre

Goofy stage banter by Bob, then the rippingest, roaringest, best-drummed version I know.
38
Sugar Magnolia
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

Best ever. No fooling. Don't miss Mickey and Billy dueling each other at the frenzied end jam before heading into SSDD. Whole version insane!

Comments

Estimated Prophet
May 25, 1977
The Mosque

^^^^"...but that's the price of consistency. They all feel to me like studies in refinement." Spot-on observation, Ernie, and well said. I'm not upvoting this, not b/c I don't like it (I like every Estimated in '77), but b/c my ultimate favorite for the year is 10/29 & this one has plenty enough love to have its spot near the top AND b/c of what you wrote here about consistency. Much of '77 is like that--we sometimes lose the forest of the year b/c so many of the trees look the same, but when you really stop & appreciate it, they're all magnificent due to the consistent quality of the performances that year. This Estimated is a real good example.
Terrapin Station
Nov. 6, 1979
The Spectrum

Maybe the best of the '79 Terrapins, which is fast becoming my favorite year for the tune. If you like your Terrapins floating on a marshmallow cloud, patient & flowing & beautiful in every way, with Garcia nailing all the lyrics & in complete storyteller mode while doing so, this is your turtle stop. Gorgeous rendition here. (Also, if you dig this, try 9/2/79, although this one may be slightly better). Either way, this oughta be higher up.
Eyes Of The World
Aug. 10, 1982
Iowa Fieldhouse - University of Iowa

Always had--and still do--a real problem with speeded-up Eyes, especially those of the 80s, but THIS version is so ridiculously good that it's surpassed in my personal rankings the only other fast version I ever truly enjoyed and admired--11/4/77. And being a complete '77 snob that is saying something. As other have pointed out this versions is played at lightning speed but somehow doesn't sound rushed...Jerry keeps the train on the tracks and the runs he makes along the way are just astonishing. This is be-bop jazz guitar to the Nth degree and it's not sung half bad, either, which is a bit surprising for the year. Would love to see this version get booted up the ladder a fair way. Definitely my favorite of the 80s (better even than the much slower paced and quite excellent 4/3/82 from the Scope), and even though there are many many versions I like far better from 1977, this is my best-ever for a "fast Eyes". Glad it was bandied about recently or I would never have checked it out.
Row Jimmy
Dec. 2, 1973
Music Hall

Ah, beautiful. Thanks for pointing this one out. One of my favorite Jerry tunes of all time & love finding one that goes off for a wander in between verses.
Throwing Stones
June 15, 1985
Greek Theater

Power version, cleanly lit by Bob's fire. Tight, focused, and way way better than the paltry vote total so far. (This whole show is a candidate for best of the year, btw)....