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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

20
Eyes Of The World
April 3, 1982
The Scope

Unlike nearly every other '80's version, this one isn't all speeded out and rushed; instead it's groovy, jazzy, intricate, very pretty for its time
18
Promised Land
Nov. 11, 1973
Winterland Arena

Yep...too rocking a tune to be ignored. Hard to beat this one, especially as kick-off of trio: Promised>Bertha>GSET
45
Fire On The Mountain
July 13, 1985
Ventura County Fairgrounds

Extremely rare stand-alone "Fire"...2nd song, first set, and a real barn-burner!
4
Deal
Oct. 30, 1977
Assembly Hall - Indiana University

Garcia's solos roll like lightning & rock like thunder. Sings it w/gusto, too. Not to be missed.
56
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Sept. 11, 1982
West Palm Beach Auditorium

The very definition of "underrated." Almost lost to time& yet it kills. No flubbed verses, great steady reggae jams;perfect transition. Please try it.

Comments

Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Dec. 3, 1979
Uptown Theatre

yeah, the AUD patch is a real buzz kill & I get what you're saying about the somewhat sluggish approach, but there's an odd steadiness or balance maybe is the right way to describe it between the two tunes and I like the patient bridge to Fire. As I said in my comment previous I see this as more of a nice sleeper pick or a good version to hear for some interesting early Brent contributions.
Not Fade Away
Sept. 28, 1975
Lindley Meadows, Golden Gate Park

As unique an NFA--separate from any other identifiable era version--as you will ever hear. Jazz inflected...more like Buddy Rich than Buddy Holly...upvoted just for standing out so beautifully from the crowd.
Mississippi Halfstep Uptown Toodeloo
April 8, 1978
Veterans Memorial Coliseum

Shame on me for not raving about this one & only now just upping it. Raging, yet laser precision performance, peaks, harmonies, the whole 9 yards. I'm always fixated on getting the word out about the S>F from this show so I overlooked this stone cold HalfStep for far too long. No more.
Playin' In The Band
Dec. 3, 1979
Uptown Theatre

The more I hear '79 Playin's the more I love 'em. Especially these early Brent-day numbers...there's a small club jazz feel to this jam, mellow but propulsive, patient, really rich & colorful...a spectacular version here that I hope will get a bump from the new DaP release but deserves it even without.
Althea
Dec. 3, 1979
Uptown Theatre

Garcia goes around twice, doubles up on "you know this space is getting hot" & then a nice gritty solo follows. If not as "in-tandem" as some early 80s versions, this is still a great one and a fine example of what was special about the early Altheas.