Ugh, you had to answer a tough question, didn't you? :-P
Spring '77 is definitely up there, especially early May at Barton Hall. Also really enjoy 1983, Brent really started to come into his own & inject his own flavor to the mix. Pretty much any tour in '74, the Wall-of-Sound really adds a dimension that's quite unique.
I'd have to agree on 83, the more I listen to the Brent years, the more they become my favorite. I love Pig and Keith, but what Brent brought to the band really lit a fire in Jerry. Those two could really play off of each other so well.
October 73 through October 74 is easily the best "year".. hey ok I cheated that's 13 months but well..
I mean don't take my word for it ... Take Dick's.. unfortunately I don't have the link anymore but he rates all of 73, almost show by show.. it's nuts.
Ugh, you had to answer a tough question, didn't you? :-P
Spring '77 is definitely up there, especially early May at Barton Hall. Also really enjoy 1983, Brent really started to come into his own & inject his own flavor to the mix. Pretty much any tour in '74, the Wall-of-Sound really adds a dimension that's quite unique.
Those are my top-3, in no particular order.
Disclaimer: I'm often wrong. :-P
I'd have to agree on 83, the more I listen to the Brent years, the more they become my favorite. I love Pig and Keith, but what Brent brought to the band really lit a fire in Jerry. Those two could really play off of each other so well.
@Oldslewfoot @kerneltux the Jerry Brent interplay was one of my favorite things about the band.
72 is definitely my most listened to. And I'll second that spring 77 tour.
81 has some good stuff - Jerry's health is still good, and Brent is getting comfortable.
89 for really good Brent vibes 69/70 for good Pig tunes.
The only 90's (post-Brent) I can ever really enjoy are the shows with Bruce Hornsby sitting in
October 73 through October 74 is easily the best "year".. hey ok I cheated that's 13 months but well..
I mean don't take my word for it ... Take Dick's.. unfortunately I don't have the link anymore but he rates all of 73, almost show by show.. it's nuts.
I’m with you. I’m working through Spring 74 right now and man. I always used to say 72 or 77 when asked this before. But I’m sold on the 73-74 era.
probably not my overall favorite but I've been enjoying 89 lately
I’m currently working through 89 right now, just finished listening to 7/9/89, I’m right in the thick of an incredible streak for the band
I normally go for the 70s stuff more but these 89 shows have been hitting hard for me the past month or so
July 89 is fantastic all around. Every show that month was hot.