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JERRY BAND!

+1912


Submissions

2
Space
Oct. 28, 1979
Cape Cod Coliseum

Synth alien space into Stella Blue. Really cool effects from Bobby and Brent. Listen to this show.
5
Viola Lee Blues
Nov. 29, 1966
The Matrix

Impressive soloing and unique guitar tones from Jerry and Bobby. Pure lysergic goodness. 1966 headiness.
4
Easy Answers
June 26, 1993
RFK Stadium

Vince plays synth organ instead of those terrible horns. Similar to killer versions played by Bob later in Ratdog (when this song really got good).
14
Box of Rain
June 24, 1973
Memorial Coliseum

Tight playing, excellent vocals, polished performance. Summer of '73 in Portland—who could ask for more?
21
Shakedown Street
July 9, 1989
Giants Stadium

Epic Shakedown. Starts with lyric flubs by Brent and Bob, but rages onward to headiness.

Comments

Weather Report Suite
May 19, 1974
Portland Memorial Coliseum

I've been round and round quite a few WRS performances, but this one clearly stands out. Keith is ridiculously on point, switching between his big grand and Fender Rhodes. Every note or chord he drops in is totally intentional, and Garcia meets the challenge in a big way. Billy drives everything with just the right beats, and Bob and Phil color it in. But you will find yourself just totally locked in on Jerry and Keith. This one will take you there. (Be sure to set aside some time for this, because the WRS is 17:58 and you will most definitely get sucked into the incredible Wharf Rat ahead. Mind-melting transition, and then Jerry really belts it out.)
The Wheel
Sept. 28, 1976
Onondaga County War Memorial

Always liked this track, Half-Step, and Dancin' from this DP.
High Time
Sept. 23, 1976
Cameron Indoor Stadium, Duke U

Sing it, Donna! Flawless vocals, ethereal performance. Too bad this show is completely missing from the vault, and whoever made off with the reels must have never made copies. Or maybe it was just one of those rare fluke shows that didn't get recorded from the board?
Big River
March 14, 1981
Hartford Civic Center

Yeah, the early '80s cowboy songs usually feel a little artificially rushed. Sniff. But Jerry cranks the volume knob on this.
Me and My Uncle
March 14, 1981
Hartford Civic Center

Brent does some great work on the Rhodes piano throughout. Jerry really works it out on "Big River." Continue listening past this pairing to a mind-altering "Peggy-O."