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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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DonnieInMT

GDTRFB

+15113


Submissions

10
Lost Sailor -> Saint of Circumstance
May 1, 1981
Hampton Coliseum

Hot vocals from Bob. Very well played all around. A forgotten gem.
3
U.S. Blues (Wave That Flag)
May 1, 1981
Hampton Coliseum

Cool rocker to close a hot show.
3
Sugar Magnolia
May 1, 1981
Hampton Coliseum

Beautiful intro. Hot jamming. Major flub on the lyrics by Bob.
12
Promised Land
May 1, 1981
Hampton Coliseum

Phil's a beast from start to finish. Brent and Jerry shine on their solos.
4
I Fought The Law
June 21, 1993
Deer Creek Music Center

If you don't have a ticket, then don't come to the show.

Comments

Turn On Your Love Light
July 3, 1970
McMahon Stadium

If you go to archive.org and type in 1970-07-03 dead - the audience where it sounds like they're in a hole and a bunch of people talking and going woo-hoo pops up.
U.S. Blues (Wave That Flag)
March 30, 1973
Rochester Community War Memorial

Keith leads the way into the song and Jerry does more jamming than he does on most versions of this song.
Estimated Prophet
May 22, 1977
The Sportatorium

Time to de-bunk another pretender from 1977. This version has bland vocals and one dimensional guitar work from Jerry. It comes off as just another floppy tune that any jam band can play. To make my point, I just added 9-4-1991. Bob's tone and passion change. Bruce adds depth to the song. But what really shines is the post-lyric jam. This is the Jerry people want to see. He's not just mailing it in - he's finding new directions, tones and attitudes as the jam progresses. I know it's hopeless trying to tell people on this site that there is something better than 1977, but there is. You just have to open your ears, your heart and your mind to new possibilities and different forms of creation.
Estimated Prophet
Sept. 4, 1991
Richfield Coliseum

For me, this beats any of those one dimensional versions from 1977. Bob screeching out the words is always fun, but it's the outro jam that really shines. Jerry's guitar work is multi-faceted and there's some crazy sounds laying down the background for him.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Nov. 11, 1973
Winterland Arena

This is notable for being a Dark Star China->Rider. Listen to it, thinking Dark Star. You'll hear it. Not the melody or anything like that, but the style and approach.