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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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parrott56

millennial head

+4714


Submissions

3
Samson and Delilah
April 26, 1977
Capitol Theater

Not just a straightforward rocker. Keith adds an icy contrast to Jerry’s fire while the drummers up the tension.
4
Cassidy
June 15, 1985
Greek Theater

Sparkling version. Worth your attention as you savor the perfect Oade AUD.
4
Let It Grow
June 14, 1985
Greek Theater

Spectacular depth, detail, and feeling. Drummers drive the transitions, while Jerry offers cool rhythmic variations.
2
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Dec. 5, 1969
Fillmore West

Exploratory transition jam! Very different from most early versions. Has that anarchic ’60s energy.
3
Black Peter
Dec. 5, 1969
Fillmore West

Practically flawless early version played with focus and intensity.

Comments

Uncle John's Band
May 11, 1977
St. Paul Civic Center Arena

What a mood this second set finds itself in. The UJB jam melting into that solo Garcia meditation is the purest distillation.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
May 11, 1977
St. Paul Civic Center Arena

I’m with cgarces: This is probably the third best of the month behind Cornell and maaaaybe Tuscaloosa — and No. 3 is a tremendous honor for May 1977. What an impossibly smooth, sweet, and dreamy second set.
The Other One
June 26, 1973
Seattle Center Coliseum

If you know how to listen to the noisy stuff, this Other One’s for you.
El Paso
June 26, 1973
Seattle Center Coliseum

Serious heat. A *Wild* West El Paso from the best era for the cowboy tunes.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
June 26, 1973
Seattle Center Coliseum

The other commenters are spot-on. The arrival of Feelin’ Groovy sounds totally natural, unforced, and the overall shape, pulse, dynamics, execution … wow. The transition jams would get feistier and knottier in the fall, but this is about as perfect a mellow China Cat > Rider as you could ask for.