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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

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Submissions

14
Mister Charlie
Aug. 7, 1971
Golden Hall

Jerry leans into it with a jaw-tighteningly crisp and high-voltage tone for a killer solo, though the group is a bit loose. Pigpen sounds amazing.
6
Rosalie McFall
Sept. 26, 1980
Warfield Theater

Absolute goodness. These shows are all so beautiful, the playing is all virtuoso, and the feeling is so positive. Brent here is especially perfect.
2
Dark Hollow
Sept. 26, 1980
Warfield Theater

Perfect. Bobby's silky voice, Gerry's understated but perfect picking, and Brent's barrelhouse honkytonk all on proud display.
1
The Other One
Sept. 23, 1976
Cameron Indoor Stadium, Duke U

Poor sound quality midway through, but its the first '76 set since the hiatus that goes off-the-rails weird, evoking the Wall of Sound era. Hot stuff.
2
Samson and Delilah
Sept. 23, 1976
Cameron Indoor Stadium, Duke U

Bobby tears it up, not just vocally, but through brilliant guitar work

Comments

Estimated Prophet
March 20, 1977
Winterland Arena

Anyone here who's attempted to jam in 7/4 knows how outrageously hard it is to make this so smooooooth. Jerry is overflowing with ideas, laying back but telling you everything you need to hear. Keith's toy-piano-on-a-fritzed-amp sound is pretty weird too, making this a fun spooky-good version.
Beat it on Down The Line
March 20, 1977
Winterland Arena

I have to agree that this isn't the top of the line for me. You want a BIODTL stripped down in kerosene to its pure rock-and-roll essence? Try March 18, 1967, cause it'll curl your straight hair and straighten your curls. Plus it was also at Winterland, so that's kinda kool too.
Deal
March 20, 1977
Winterland Arena

Love this version. Deal comes out of Jerry's guitar like it was his very heartbeat. Solo after solo, this was his vehicle. This one is mellow and swinging, still conveying a bit of that '76 sweetness, and includes an extended out-chorus with nice ensemble harmonies.
El Paso
March 20, 1977
Winterland Arena

Right on Beggar's Tomb, that's right. I also use Truckin' in the same way. These are songs these guys could play in their sleep, and, c'mon y'all let's admit, they sometimes did. When they're as hot and tight as this, you know it's all going to be good.
Franklin's Tower
March 19, 1977
Winterland Arena

Check your pulse if you're still sitting still after this. This one rises on a beautiful accelerating arc, then quiets to a whisper.