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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3568


Submissions

10
Loser
March 24, 1973
The Spectrum

Heavens! It took a Dave's Picks to get this on the board! Soft, seductive, dark, and pretty much perfectly realized. Guitar break: shit yeah.
3
Estimated Prophet
Dec. 29, 1977
Winterland Arena

Bold, sharp, confident version with plenty of 1977 squoosh. This version has that great '77 restraint with Garcia speaking in MuTron tongues.
6
Brown Eyed Women
Oct. 29, 1973
Kiel Auditorium

Attention. To. Detail. - ESP Weir. Not the world's greatest recording, but the band is bubbly & effortless.
3
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
July 31, 1971
Yale Bowl, Yale University

Listened to this on a big PA outside over the summer and it's so alive, athletic, and filled with beautiful instrumental cross-talk. Improv!
3
Sugaree
June 4, 1976
Paramount Theatre

Another example of how Sugaree thrived in 6/76: Garcia's sweet, mellow, bubbly silver thread guitar and group dynamics both jaunty & subtle. Primo.

Comments

Playin' In The Band
Sept. 17, 1972
Baltimore Civic Center

Kreutzmann is the prime mover - some amazing, subtle, swinging playing. Makes it easy for everyone to shine - which they do. A vital Playin'.
Eyes Of The World
March 29, 1990
Nassau Coliseum

Me DS67? I'm totally obnoxious with my views!
Eyes Of The World
March 29, 1990
Nassau Coliseum

I went to lots of Brent shows and did not vote for this one. My rationale above. In general, I also dislike most of the artist "sit ins" - just mushy and boring. I saw mid-80s versions of Eyes that dwarf this one (in my view) - and they still didn't touch the 74-77 iterations. Also, my view.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
July 1, 1973
Universal Amphitheatre

Yes - this is the Strat (still my favorite Garcia guitar); Garcia coaxing different characters out of it. Great dynamic touch, this one.
Bertha
April 30, 1977
The Palladium

I've always dug the laid-back saunter of Spring 77 Berthas. It sort of floats. And the guitar break is all Garcia reading the field. #2 in this set is a tester. This is pretty much ideal.