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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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DonnieInMT

GDTRFB

+15113


Submissions

1
Hard to Handle
July 1, 1970
Winnipeg Fairgrounds

The only recording available, it starts in the middle of the instrumental break.
5
Big River
Nov. 24, 1978
Capitol Theatre

Cool uptempo version with solid vocals.
15
Johnny B. Goode
Dec. 26, 1979
Oakland Auditorium

Hot one on Dick's Picks 5.
3
Sugar Magnolia
Oct. 5, 1984
Charlotte Coliseum

A very strange opening - it sounds like Jerry doesn't want to play it.
1
Death Don't Have No Mercy
Sept. 2, 1968
Betty Nelson's Organic Raspberry Farm

Only part of the intro survives, but what's there sounds good.

Comments

Promised Land
June 24, 1976
Tower Theatre

Keith was a brilliant rock & roll player. It's just that his best work was on songs like Johnny B. Goode, Promised Land, Run Rudolph and Mystery Train, but those aren't the songs that people go "Oh, wow, man - that blew my mind and changed my life!". He wasn't anywhere near as dynamic, creative and dominant as Bruce was, but he sure as hell could rock. Oh yeah, how could I almost forget how good he was on some of those GDTRFBs. Jerry would be tearing it up face paced and Keith would be like some mad scientist, almost matching him note for note, when nobody else in the band could sustain that tempo.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
April 2, 1973
Boston Garden

Try 7-8-95. I can't even get to the 3 minute mark and I'm done with it.
Mama Tried
May 11, 1978
Springfield Civic Center Arena

You can almost hear Jerry sigh and go - huh? You want me to play some more guitar? OK.
Mexicali Blues
Nov. 17, 1973
Pauley Pavilion - University of California

Keith provides the musical structure, playing lead piano. Jerry has a short but sweet solo. About a much as you can expect from less than three and a half minutes.
Mexicali Blues
Oct. 2, 1994
Boston Garden

Wow - Jerry is on. Diminishing skills not showing here. Spry, perky and lively.