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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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FreedomHaul

Grateful Novice

+17699


Submissions

1
They Love Each Other
Aug. 4, 1979
Oakland Auditorium

Unless I'm very much mistaken, this is the premiere of Tiger.
4
Jack Straw
June 16, 1974
Iowa State Fairgrounds

There are some nice moments in the show before this, but it really takes off around here.
7
It Must Have Been The Roses
June 16, 1974
Iowa State Fairgrounds

Truly beautiful version.
4
Bertha
June 16, 1974
Iowa State Fairgrounds

The bass cut at the start of this is a tragedy. Still a great version.
1
They Love Each Other
July 20, 1976
Keystone

I know this is JGB, but it's one of the best versions and absolutely needs to be listed.

Comments

Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
March 22, 1990
Copps Coliseum

F me. Setting aside the fact that they're a different band by this time in their career than they were in the 1970s, this truly is a great version of this song (especially considering its nearest contender is the B- Mosque version).
He's Gone
Sept. 27, 1981
Capital Centre

The vocals and harmonies in “He’s Gone” are well-done, and I enjoyed Brent’s organ filigree. I’ve always loved Garcia’s playing around/with the melody here, and I strongly believe that he writes some of the best bridges in rock music, period. Bobby’s doing something cool with an effects pedal (ca. 24:35 ish?), which one of the drummers picks up into the cymbal pattern. While I don’t think the sound tonight is particularly special, I do like the crowd’s energy during the final vocal part, which also contains some blues-inspired interplay that’s worth a listen. The whistle transition into “Truckin’” is cool.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Sept. 27, 1981
Capital Centre

Jerry’s sequences before the move to E major in “China Cat” don’t seem to go anywhere, and he seems like he’s struggling to get his footing throughout the rest of the solo (and into the vocals, blowing the first part of the next line). He bears down in the next solo, mostly by focusing on where he wants the sequences to go, and then chomps into some tasty rhythmic chordal playing once Phil bites in too. There’s a nice repeated riff at ca. 4:22 ish), and the transition into “Rider” is nice (with some fun contributions from the rest of the band). Some of Jerry’s licks in that tune are a bit more on the minor/blues side that I typically remember hearing. The mix doesn’t strike me as all that great (things sound a bit muddy during the verses, with little differentiation between the guitars and far too much cymbal for my taste). Jerry works his way into a higher position ca 9:40, and plays some interesting lines there before moving back down. To my ears, he’s playing well, but without much direction (no clear melodic peak, for example). Without a doubt, though, this is a nice little version.
Estimated Prophet
Feb. 3, 1978
Dane County Coliseum

This is a great version. Not to take away from 10/29/77, since they're fundamentally in different eras, but I do love the extended bridge jam. It reminds me of the many great '77 versions of "1/2 Step."
Dark Star
Dec. 11, 1969
Thelma Theater

This really is fantastic stuff. Each band member at some point throws out an idea that spins out a different jam. A masterpiece of interplay and focused, intense listening.