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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+24637


Submissions

1
Aiko Aiko
Feb. 23, 1993
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

Hey Now! Played on Mardi Gras day with 10 minute drum percussion lead-in to start the 2nd set! You'll like what the Big Chief say.
3
Space
March 16, 1990
Capital Centre

Not Space, but since there's no category for "jam" this beautiful calypso improv out of WomenRsmarter will have to do (also has an "Eyes" tease)
2
Greatest Story Ever Told
Oct. 9, 1982
Frost Amphitheatre

From the show always overshadowed by the next night, which is a shame. Fantastic Jerry/Brent conversation mid-jam. Give a listen!
11
Let It Grow
June 10, 1976
Boston Music Hall

Liquid
5
Althea
July 1, 1980
San Diego Sports Arena

3 versions on archive. Grab the SBD seeded by Brian Cole. Listen to the insane end jam. Listen to the whole thing. This is an A+++ version!

Comments

Scarlet Begonias
July 19, 1974
Selland Arena

This and a sublime Spanish Jam>Eyes are really the only reasons to shell out bucks for the Dave's Picks release of this show, which is really a huge disappointment...also Exhibit A of why I would never pony up for the annual subscription release for a year (not knowing what you're gonna get.) Most of this Selland show is inexplicably overrated and features mostly sloppy play, blown lyrics, and a tinny '74 WOS reproduction. That said, this particular Scarlet stand alone is aces, and unique among any ever played. The tone and riff Garcia lights into (as noted by others) near the 5-minute mark has never been done in any other version ever and is a remarkable hard-rock killer solo that then morphs nicely back into a more familiar Scarlet groove. They nail the rejoin coda as well and for a 1974 version it may very well be the best ever.
Dark Star
Oct. 26, 1989
Miami Arena

Gack. This one is just stupid. And no, I don't mean "stupid good", just pure stupid. Probably killed a few manatees down in Florida playing this screechfest of annoying nonsensical cacophony with absolutely zero sense of musicality. Wouldn't care so much except this is the show they chose to represent 1989 on the "Circles" boxed set; that's a crying shame and a waste of space.
Aiko Aiko
April 11, 1978
Fox Theatre

Perfect Crescent City groove, Jerry having fun growling out lyrics, whole band in tow...unlike many other versions from this era it ends on a final down beat before charging into a SugarMag...+1 (Big) Easy!
Stella Blue
April 19, 1982
Baltimore Civic Center

^^^^ My top 5 shows for '82 would be this one, 4/6/82, 9/11/82, 4/3/82, and the reigning champ 10/10/82. Will def. check out that HG from 10/28/77...there's much from that show I already love (the Casey Jones is a beast) but it's been a while since I really sat down and listened to that whole 2d set.
Stella Blue
April 19, 1982
Baltimore Civic Center

^^^^ Glad you checked this one out, Freedom! From your other comments I gather you feel this show is somewhat overrated and I won't quibble there, although I'm a believer that this is a top 5 show for '82...but I am 100% convinced of the worthiness of this Stella. This has everything you want in a Stella Blue--Jerry in soulful voice, no lyrical miscues, the band not missing a beat, and unlike so many pre-Brent versions, no off-key background vocals as they come to the crucial "gonna make 'em shine (Shine!)" section. Would like others to add to your upvote. We'll see.