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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

4
Ramble On Rose
Oct. 21, 1971
Auditorium Theatre

Keith's second show & he's all over this faster paced super fun honky tonk version!
5
The Weight
June 7, 1991
Deer Creek Music Center

This is really the best one I've heard--everyobody nails their parts/lyrics...great piano fills on the side (yay, Bruce!). Just exactly, etc.
20
Althea
Sept. 9, 1982
Saenger Performing Arts Center

Incredible. Check out Brent's fills during the epic post-lyrics outro. A must-listen top tier Althea w/bounce, power, & panache!
17
Deal
Feb. 23, 1974
Winterland Arena

Apparently no one is aware that a fellow named Keith played in this band or this version would have 50 votes already. Needs to be heard!
1
Pretty Peggy O
Sept. 4, 1980
Providence Civic Center

Outside of 1977 this may be the best version I've heard. A+ vocals from Jerry, killer mid-solo; slightly faster tempo. Must hear. Gr8 Matrix!

Comments

The Mighty Quinn (Quinn The Eskimo)
Oct. 5, 1994
The Spectrum

Always thought the debut version was best but I’m rethinking that after hearing this one. Like this entire show (a gem for the year hiding in plain sight behind the far more celebrated Boston Garden show 4 nights earlier) you’ll find Jerry in fine vocal form and playing tight tight tight to this excellent encore. He even growls out one of the final lines. Come on without/Come on within...
Big River
May 17, 1974
P.N.E. Coliseum

Give it up for Billy keeping pace with Jerry, too. Right old '74 barn burner.
Casey Jones
June 22, 1973
Pacific Coliseum

The band somehow achieves mellow hotness on this one.
Here Comes Sunshine
June 22, 1973
Pacific Coliseum

Minor hiccups (lyric flub, one stutter step in one of the chord changes) can’t detract from the overall brilliance of this version. Jam section between verse 2 and 3, which makes or breaks any HCS is almost too sweet for words. New box set sound reproduction provides clear and distinct separation of instruments to be heard like never before. Keith’s fills and Billy’s subtle drum accents come alive in particular.
Playin' In The Band
May 21, 1974
Edmundson Pavilion

The great new box set can't even change my mind on this version. It's not even the screechfest middle section that bugs me so much, it's more that there's no cohesion to this marathon piece at all. It feels like four or five different sections of things they could have played separately throughout the show in different jams, with varying results. I'd probably dig about 2 of the 5 in this one but it's length is more a novelty than an indication of its worth. Compare with 11/1/5/72 which is also long at 30 mins. but has far greater flow and continuity to the musical soundscapes they visit than this one does. Just a 2 cent opinion after listening closely again from the new set, which really is proving to be fantastic.