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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+24523


Submissions

2
Brown Eyed Women
Aug. 4, 1982
Kiel Auditorium

Fast-picking goodness. Jerry's bridge solo is long and lightning quick and awesome. 1 point off for lyric flub on re-entry, but the rest is gold.
43
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
April 30, 1977
The Palladium

Sick of saying "How can X not be here" yet but C'mon! Get the digital DL series and start bumpin this up! Smooth Scarlet, killer Fire jams. Early gem!
15
Terrapin Station
Nov. 28, 1980
Lakeland Civic Center

From a year not particularly known for great Terrapin, this one proves the exception to the rule. Tight, inventive, soulful.
6
Monkey and the Engineer
Feb. 4, 1970
Family Dog at the Great Highway

Bob sez: "we're gonna play one of your favorites and we certainly hope it's one of ours" b4 this sweet electric version!
19
Sugar Magnolia
Oct. 7, 1977
University of New Mexico

As insanely good as the Wharf Rat that precedes it. How good? Almost matches 10/29/77 in intensity. Final jam section b4 SSDD will boggle your senses!

Comments

Estimated Prophet
March 20, 1986
Hampton Coliseum

Having been at this bust out show--yes. this is an (almost) understandably overlooked Estimated, but it really should be heard if you haven't had the pleasure--the place was swaying and twirling like mad to this one--it's a byoot.
Estimated Prophet
Aug. 12, 1979
Red Rocks Amphitheatre

No question this is one of the best Brent-era versions--early in his tenure he adds some amazing piano-like jazz fills (mercifully free of the tinkly Fischer-Price toy sounds he would adopt later) in the post lyrics jam outro and the main jam sections have Garcia and Weir both at the top of their games....outstanding version that should be a lot higher on the list.
Brother Esau
Aug. 20, 1983
Frost Amphitheatre

funk fest-- punchy Brent fuzz fills--& tighter than expected early version--slightly different lyrics --could use some extra ears on it
Uncle John's Band
May 26, 1977
Baltimore Civic Center

No way this shouldn't be in double digits--the vocal harmonies on this A+ version are reason enough for an upvote but you also get the precision and focused jamming that mark all the best versions--rhythm devils are also beastly in the outro jam--overlooked probably b/c of length and the show itself which is one of the most underrated of '77. Do yourself a favor and listen to this byoot and upvote if you agree it's deserving of a much higher ranking
Big River
April 11, 1978
Fox Theatre

Exactly! So many Rivers some of the best can get lost & you've identified one that shouldn't. Flowing, confident, brilliant Jerry picking, and such beautiful work by Keith along the way--great boards available too to bring out all the richness of sound--don't let this Big River pass you by!