From the first moments, this is a high quality "Sugaree" on 5/22/77. It's so mellow but everyone's making sure it's not too mellow. It's a candy coated mellow hiding a coke-fueled marshmallow center. The white puff, glistening, shadowy flow Carl Wilson sings about in "Feel Flows." On account I read that song is about blow. But who knows where I read that? Wikipedia, maybe.
You know when the pizza delivery sneaks up on you while you're out on the patio with a lungful and you're trying to do the right thing... It's time for Dead.
They were referring to the roughness of Jerry’s vocals, not the quality of the shows. I mean, unless the sweetness of Jerry’s vocal cords is the main thing people enjoy in GD music.
To be more specific, the Jerry melt/band groove is from ~23:50-26:07 and then after some other chicanery, they break into a very different thing at 34:50 that is rather similar to what will occur starting at 12:00 of Playin' on 8/6/74. That lasts for a while and it's also not too far removed from the Beautiful Jam from DS on 2/18/71, but it's a bit more aggressive and harmonically somewhat different. I've noticed folks discussing this TOO over the years but I do believe I've only ever heard it once prior to this weekend and that was when I got it back in 2014 or so. This not only brings the goods, it serves 'em up on silver platters. This is now #27 in my top 5.
In the midst of 6/22/73 Vancouver’s He’s Gone > Truckin’ > The Other One > Wharf Rat > Sugar Magnolia. Awesome.
Interesting shimmery (1st) solo from Jerry during Row Jimmy, 6/25/85 I don’t think I’ve heard him solo like this before. It seems purposeful, too, not stoned out and accidental.
I'm holding out until Arch Pick's 20 when they finally release 6:20 - 6:25 from the 8/5/74 China--> Rider
OK, finally got to the rest of 1977-05-26. The second set is very solid, mostly not spectacular. Samson and High Time are very highly regarded, to review, and a very solid Big River. Terrapin is a really excellent version. Estimated>Eyes is solid but not earth-shattering. Some rather cool things happen in NFA. GDTRFB is middling, more or less, although very energetic. UJB is excellent. I'd say this show has a great first set and a good second set.
Manya: He was a beautiful pony. And I loved him! Jerry: Well, I'm sure you did. Who wouldn't love a pony? Who wouldn't love a person who had a pony? Manya: You! You said so! I took a break from 5/22/77 to give Vintage Dead a spin. The first Pigpen may be the best Pigpen. Did he ever sing "It Hurts Me Too" better than he did here? I don't know, maybe, but maybe not. Also, Jerry does a Dylan cover. So, you see, not much would change.
I’ll admit that I usually skip Pigpen tunes. Today in the car I listened to the entire “Good Lovin”, probably for the first time. Great jam after the first set of lyrics!
Funny you would call out that exact time segment as Phil does one of his classic "can't just pull that off a shelf" riffs. Not sure what date you are referring to, but check out Good Lovin' from 5/3/72 from 2:10-3:39. This is the same segment you've called out and this version is extremely rubbery.
