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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

10
Lazy Lightnin' -> Supplication
Oct. 30, 1977
Assembly Hall - Indiana University

Can't believe what short shrift this show gets. They pull off the combo like gangbusters here.
5
Loser
Dec. 6, 1971
Felt Forum, Madison Square Garden

Glorious Jerry vocals, not one, but TWO "sweet Susie's", excellent gritty solo. Best early version ever!
4
Aiko Aiko
March 30, 1987
The Spectrum

Submitting this on Fat Tuesday 2017. Great Mardi Gras version with really nice piano (!) fills by Brent that oughta be heard!
5
Lazy Lightnin' -> Supplication
May 12, 1980
Boston Garden

Get on this one, folks. It's a ripper.
13
Let It Grow
July 29, 1974
Capitol Center

Absolute best of 1974. Not kidding. Jerry's leads are ripping & confident. The band plays flawlessly.Can stand w/some of the best of '77. Must hear.

Comments

St. Stephen
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

^^^^ed_bob you have my unending gratitude--even if the show doesn't get an official release--for giving me some hope here. Thanks for the proper email contact for Dave...I did write to him maybe a year or so ago but I don't think it was at this address & i know I didn't put GD in the subject line so it's worth trying again. Can't hurt to have as many voices as possible clamoring for 10/29/77 to see the light of day. I don't expect any Head to agree w/me that it's the best show they ever did (objectively speaking there are others for sure that are) but this one's my favorite and moist people who get turned on to it come back w/nothing but A+ reviews. Do let me know about some shows you think fly under the radar & are top tier as well, ed...would love to hear your recommendations having like minded thoughts on this show & the Keith/Brent dynamic.
Brokedown Palace
Oct. 3, 1980
Warfield Theater

^^^With you on Keith as best pure Dead keyboard player...he had wonderful jazz chops and could play the quiet parts, too. It's just that (for me) a song like Brokedown is better when it's sung with better hitting of the high notes, less warble, and more gospel soul that Brent was able to deliver in a way the early 70s band couldn't. I do think Brent was a very good keyboard player, though...my biggest complaint with him was the tinkly cheesy sound effects he used too much that really distracted from what he was actually playing. Both versions are great in their own way, I should emphasize, but if I had to choose one I'd take the 1980 version every time. So sweet.
St. Stephen
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

^^^^That's my greatest Grateful Dead wish, ed! I fear it'll never happen...I don't know if that show has hidden Betty Boards in a box somewhere but I would be over the moon if I ever found out my favorite Dead show of all times ever was going to be an official release. Really glad you dug this Stephen...certainly the Charlie Miller version(s) available are a very close second sound-wise to an official release but if cleaner sources existed I believe this Stephen and so many other songs from this phenomenal show would be ranked way higher than they are now!
Brokedown Palace
Oct. 3, 1980
Warfield Theater

^^^^Sorry, but this one's far better vocally, especially the harmonies. 9/27 is probably the best of that year, though, and is quite a nice version for that time period.
Scarlet Begonias
June 11, 1976
Boston Music Hall

Let it flow. Gorgeous '76 Scarlet right here. Do seek out the Miller upgrade & up this version. So sweet.