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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+24523


Submissions

6
They Love Each Other
Nov. 4, 1979
Civic Center

Early in Brent's tenure he's locked in for the 1st part of a long, flowing instrumental mid-section. Jer doesn't disappoint either. Underrated version
11
Crazy Fingers
April 3, 1990
The Omni

Very strong entry w/no lyrical mistakes & Jerry in fine voice, esp. for the year. Crystal clean sound from '90 spring box set shows how good this is!
14
Brokedown Palace
Sept. 16, 1972
Boston Music Hall

This melts like a dream from a weirdly underrated Dark Star & is sung beautifully by Jerry & played sweetly by all. Give a listen!
7
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
Sept. 20, 1991
Boston Garden

Ok technically it's Help>Slipknot>Fire but c'mon that's pretty cool & even w/out the novelty of the change-up it's a sweet version
11
Take A Step Back
Oct. 31, 1979
Nassau Coliseum

Phil: "Remember, if you step up too close We'll HAVE TO STOP PLAYING. Weir: I would remind you all that Halloween is not a legal holiday"

Comments

Candyman
Dec. 27, 1977
Winterland Arena

Need a rally here for this one. Flows like liquid from Jerry's fingers and his voice is as stated above in fine delicate form here. There's a ton of great Candymans but some get lost in the shuffle and we need to pull this ace of the deck and show it around.
The Music Never Stopped
Oct. 2, 1976
Riverfront Arena

Adding upvote as well solely for the MLB mini-jam which works so beautifully here and makes this one unique. (At least I can't think of another version that does this--if anyone knows of one please direct me to it)--but this is a gem of an idea & is pulled off so well before they start jamming the more traditional way at the end. Very good version beyond that btw but the MLB jam is an upvote worthy easter egg
Bird Song
Aug. 12, 1972
Sacramento Memorial Auditorium

Good as advertised--if you like spacey gooey jammed out Birdsongs this one is waiting for you with open wings
Jack Straw
Oct. 18, 1983
Cumberland County Civic Center

Awesome reverb/whammy effects into & out of the final stanza--as mentioned above this is some of Bob's finest rhythm work you'll ever hear on this tune. Under the radar version from an equally underappreciated show
Might As Well
Oct. 2, 1976
Riverfront Arena

Super tight version most notable for A+ vocals by Jerry--not always his strong point-- but belts this one out & lyrics all nailed down here... new DaP53 has Keith up in the mix and sounding great too. End jam is a little clunky if you wanna take off a quarter point (not nearly as rocked out as 10/29/77 by comparison) but this is one of the cleanest renditions of the tune I've ever heard. Def. worth some more votes