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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+24523


Submissions

31
Let It Grow
Oct. 2, 1977
Paramount Theatre

The most "Spanish-flavored" of LIG's, evokes old southwest almost Mariachi vibe. Brilliant Garcia changes-Rise&Fall!
25
Althea
May 6, 1980
Rec Hall, Penn State U

Recent Road Trips release is a perfecto: Outstanding vocals from Jerry and a jam after the lyrics that grooves and rocks super-hard. 5-star version!
46
Deep Elem Blues
May 2, 1970
Harpur College

Jerry's voice just exactly bluesy perfect...groovy & slow acoustic cadence & the boys harmonizing sweetly on the chrouses. Outstanding early version
30
Box of Rain
March 20, 1986
Hampton Coliseum

A+ for the crowd alone. Are there better ones? Of course. But I was there & the ecstacy after 14 years of no Box makes this version legendary.
15
Mississippi Halfstep Uptown Toodeloo
Sept. 18, 1990
Madison Square Garden

Astonishingly strong Jerry vocals, especially given the year, and some of the prettiest Hornsby-led fills make this one a real great sleeper pick.

Comments

Satisfaction
Aug. 8, 1982
Alpine Valley Music Theatre

How have I not heard this before? The Wang Dang riff near the end is priceless and the whole version rocks. Bob at his rock star best.
Greatest Story Ever Told
March 31, 1973
War Memorial

Come for the mini Stephen jam, stay for the mellow flow and funk that makes this one a keeper.
Row Jimmy
May 16, 1978
Uptown Theater

So glad I checked this out whereas I normally dismiss AUD only sources (admitted SBD snob) but this is an A+ AUD recording & more importantly an outstanding version of one of my all time favorite Dead tunes--silky, flowing --lots of nice little additions by Keith in a year when he was sometimes MIA... Jerry's solos are deep and rich and not to be missed. Played at a slightly faster clip than many other versions too so if you're put off by some of the slower paced RJ's do yourself a favor and check in on this one. Hiding in plain sight and really worthy of some increased listening : https://archive.org/details/gd78-05-16.akg.weiner.8333.sbeok.shnf?webamp=default
He's Gone
May 16, 1978
Uptown Theater

It's true you've never heard a He'sGone intro quite like this one...loose and jangly and spilling into the main theme only after taking a walk-about around differently-angled accents...settles in nicely after that and flows along as many of the greats do. Fine sleeper pick and worthy of upvoting.
Candyman
Sept. 3, 1980
Civic Center

I am floored by the smoky silkiness of Jerry's vocals in this perfecto version that should be listened to en masse and upvoted accordingly...delicate, spider-thread notes float from Garcia's fingers and the Brent-backed harmonies are the icing on the cake.