Jack Straw
Sept. 20, 1987
Madison Square Garden
I came in here to post this if it wasn't already. Good call! I was inspired by the 1/11/79 version that is currently ranked at the top. I chalk that one up as a crappy version with a raging guitar solo. Are we succumbing to the "the gesture is enough" syndrome here? It made me go out and find a good one and put my money where my mouth is. (haha) We all have out opinions, but what I look for in a great version of a song is most importantly, high energy... then good vocals, creative playing/jamming, tightness/execution, and an in-the-pocket groove. I feel none of that was present in the 1/11/79 Jack Straw except maybe some energy and a good guitar solo. I almost feel Jerry raged those solos out of spite because he felt the rest of the band wasn't pulling it together. No offense to anyone here of course... We're all here for the same reason, right? I just think there are performances out there that have great energy ~AND~ all of the other elements listed above. If someone new came in here for ideas and heard THAT Jack Straw first...? Don't think it would help turn him on. Anyway, my two cents. (or more) I'll get off my soapbox now.
