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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3673


Submissions

10
Jack Straw
June 10, 1973
RFK Stadium

Relaxed and joyous space-age electric guitar semi-ballad.
9
Bertha
Feb. 21, 1971
Capitol Theater

Warp speed, precise, slightly unhinged, and driving into the greenish-blue evening.
1
Jack Straw
Oct. 30, 1971
Taft Auditorium

Godchaux leads a version that seethes with the excitement of a new song.
3
Brown Eyed Women
May 20, 1973
U.C.

A giggly, slangy Garcia masterpiece (in sweet show sauce). Goes down EZ.
8
Mexicali Blues
Feb. 28, 1973
Salt Palace

So good you can practically see the border town.

Comments

Dark Star
Jan. 2, 1970
Fillmore East (Late Show)

+1 re darkstar 67 comments. Dead on. Not much one needs to say, except of course I can't help myself. The first grab (usually Garcia) is Lesh coming at us hard with that dark chocolately Guildness. + This one, as noted, never gets complacent or self-satisfied or really even takes a breath! Some Art Ensemble of Chicago moments. Hoooofa. + Lesh sounding close to an electric bass guitar/stand up bass hybrid sound, which is sonic nirvana. + Gets Krautrock at times. This is basically 5 or 6 Dark Stars in one.
Uncle John's Band
March 19, 1977
Winterland Arena

Really nice Uncle John's Band. Best for me is still exactly 2 months later, but this is a smooooth one. Godchaux = big reason.
Dark Star
Jan. 25, 1969
Avalon Ballroom

Sparkling! And TC sounds he's playing synthesizer at times. This version very much has its own sound. And it's killer.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Nov. 9, 1973
Winterland Arena

Cruncho Marx! Weir's transition is particularly fierce. He Gibsons the shit out of it. By the heat of the kick-out, Garcia's spitting fire & Kreutzmann's hugging the ride bell. Beautiful.
Estimated Prophet
Jan. 10, 1978
Shrine Auditorium

Bright & snappy out of the gate. Lesh slurs that bassline during the verses to rich effect. Garcia attacks the outro! And Godchaux pushes matter pretty hard as well.