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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+24538


Submissions

26
Dupree's Diamond Blues
Feb. 4, 1978
Milwaukee Auditorium

Can't beat this one. Played w/out a hitch, Jerry nails all the lyrics, and when it's over Phil says: "And that's a true story, folks!"
20
Eyes Of The World
April 3, 1982
The Scope

Unlike nearly every other '80's version, this one isn't all speeded out and rushed; instead it's groovy, jazzy, intricate, very pretty for its time
19
Promised Land
Nov. 11, 1973
Winterland Arena

Yep...too rocking a tune to be ignored. Hard to beat this one, especially as kick-off of trio: Promised>Bertha>GSET
46
Fire On The Mountain
July 13, 1985
Ventura County Fairgrounds

Extremely rare stand-alone "Fire"...2nd song, first set, and a real barn-burner!
4
Deal
Oct. 30, 1977
Assembly Hall - Indiana University

Garcia's solos roll like lightning & rock like thunder. Sings it w/gusto, too. Not to be missed.

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