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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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nonoyolker

Weirs Jort Army

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Submissions

14
Friend of the Devil
Sept. 24, 1972
Palace Theatre

I really dig this version. Bouncy and understated. Bobby and Keith with excellent supportive rhythmic contributions. Jerry with country twang vocals
36
Let It Grow
April 15, 1978
William and Mary College Hall

End jam is very dense and thick. Very strong effort with great backing from the rhythm devils
27
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
March 26, 1987
Hartford Civic Center

Hot, compact ChinaCat jam, but the highlight is Jerry hammering the "headlight" lyric in Rider. Gave me chills (as most similar later versions do)
12
Estimated Prophet
March 27, 1987
Civic Center

Very tight version. Jerry nails the noodles richly, making for a far out excursion. Only issue is a seemingly rushed Eyes segue
11
Jack Straw
April 22, 1979
Spartan Stadium - San Jose State University

Brent's 1st song with the band. Multiple Lesh bombs, rollicking drums, smoking Jerry licks, and impassioned vocals. Fine welcome to the band!

Comments

Looks Like Rain
Dec. 26, 1979
Oakland Auditorium

Put me firmly in the LLR fan grouping. Bobby's emotive chaw and Jerry's peaky guitar are a serious draw for me. And while lyrically, the second verse is indefensibly bad, the first verse is actually quite nice and one that I always enjoy. This version has all of the goods - Bobby digging deep on emotional blast and Jerry railing home the song's gravity in his solo. Nice version
Bertha
Aug. 27, 1972
Old Renaissance Faire Grounds

While many of the songs played in this show are unnecessarily glorified compared to equally as good, if not subjectively better versions of songs, the show and versions within are still cannon and for defensible reasons. It's a rock solid show cover-to-cover, with any-era level highlights of versions. Cases can easily be made for many other far less lauded shows as being as good, though this one emerged over time as legend. This Bertha though, my. GOD. To complement the previous comments, Jerry has rarely ever blazed such a fast and tight solo in the jam portion. I hadn't heard in a while and it took me by complete surprise how ferocious and nimbly he takes that one. Definitely a fantastic version and yes, Veneta is peak output. Not every version is best ever, but as a complete performance, this show is obviously really damn good
Dire Wolf
Dec. 26, 1979
Oakland Auditorium

Super bouncy, precise version. Crisp
Truckin'
March 24, 1973
The Spectrum

I credit the mere existence of this jam to the Billy the Kid, channeling his inner Art Blakey and refusing to let the end of Truckin' dissolve to natural conclusion. Bill kept the driving the splashy high hats, then Bobby caught wise with a clever rhythmic pattern, then Phil dove in with the foundational low end. To my ears, this is one of the most easily identifiable and exemplary jams that highlight just how much certain Dead jams could be classified as pure free-form jazz. The period before Spanish Jam could have been pouring out of Blue Note, rather than the Philly Spectrum. Bill takes home the MVP on this in a big way, but everyone makes incredible contributions on this all-timer version. Very grateful to finally have a polished SBD in the new Dave's release!
Good Lovin'
Dec. 31, 1976
Cow Palace

Agree with comments above. The mid/end "jam" is funky, unique, and hints strongly at the impending Samson. Def worth a spin