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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Submissions

5
Loser
Jan. 10, 1979
Nassau Coliseum

Last ever use of the "Sweet Suzie" line...I think. Subdued, but there. Nice version taboot.
44
Samson and Delilah
Dec. 31, 1976
Cow Palace

odd spacy intro. a tad slower and much less predecitable than latter era versions. smooth as 18 y/o scotch.

Comments

Estimated Prophet
June 12, 1980
Memorial Coliseum

Half the reviews on this site start with either "can't believe this isn't on here" or "this should be higher," buuuuuut... SWEET BABY JEEBUS THIS SHOULD BE HIGHER! This version starts as a rock solid B+ Estimated, played just a wee bit fast (it was the 80s after all, many songs received the Cocaine Cowboys tempo). However, it deserves "best ever" consideration for the absolutely hairball jam that follows. At about 7 minutes in, a searing, 10 minute jam begins that will remind you why you love this friggin band so much. At the final peak, Jerry is soloing furiously while Bob is hitting these weird, staccato, machine gun chords. This amazing piece of ensemble playing truly serves to remind us all that the Dead were a band of equals, and not "Jerry Garcia and some other dudes."
He's Gone
Dec. 5, 1979
Uptown Theater

Nice version, lyrical outro jam, 1979 served up some monster versions of this tune, and this one totally holds up. Strong but tasteful Brent harmonies. Over 15 minutes of nice.
Terrapin Station
Nov. 6, 1979
The Spectrum

Doesn't have the raw power of some other version, but it is patient and cerebral: fantastic in its own way.
Jack Straw
Nov. 6, 1979
The Spectrum

Sweet Jeebus this one needs to be higher. Jerry's noodling is fast and furious, Bob holding his verse ending stutter-notes for longer than it seems he should (keep us on the ru-u-u-u-u-u-u-n), brent comping, phil laying down the law, drummers in complete sync...
They Love Each Other
June 24, 1985
River Bend Music Center

Oddly cool version. On the long side at almost 9 minutes. Jerry biffs lines left and right, but his playing more than makes up for it (welcome to '85, kid). It's got a nice Brent Hammond solo, then a very weird exchange between Bobby and Jer: I am not sure if they mean to sound like this, or if they can't decide where they are going. Bobby is particularly off the rails with some odd, beefy chords, and it sounds like it throws Jerry for an almost tailspin, who responds by noodling at a counter rhythm. This is not some letter perfect 77 version, or bouncy, happy 73 joint. This is red-shirt, geezed-up Jerry smoked out on Persian and getting his weird on. A Double black diamond, experts only version for certain, enter at your own risk.