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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3673


Submissions

13
Bird Song
Feb. 21, 1971
Capitol Theater

An intimate very early Bird Song - Quartet-styled, which serves this song really well. Also: you can hear the thinking, especially between guitars.
3
Tennessee Jed
July 21, 1972
Paramount Northwest Theater

Ho-Hum: Another outstanding 1972 TJ. This gem from the sorta overlooked summer tour. Garcia aces the break, natch. Band - unconscious. Whew! at end.
6
Candyman
June 21, 1976
Tower Theater

From Garcia's cheeky intro on, this graceful cabochon throws a faint, warm light. 1976 elegance w/a sick, raw spider web guitar break.
2
Wharf Rat
March 21, 1985
Hampton Coliseum

First show - I didn't know this gem very well & after this criss-crossy version, I was hooked. Dark & murky.
3
Loser
July 21, 1972
Paramount Northwest Theater

Download Series - An intimate, casual living room Loser. Garcia coming out of the guitar break is divine. Not the actor.

Comments

Ramble On Rose
July 7, 1989
JFK Stadium

It's probably unfair to compare this version to 1980 -- or my favorite (5/19/77), but this is a super sweet version. I remember thinking at the time "Garcia's having a really good time" which usually boded well. The envelope filter guitar break is a gem.
Cryptical Envelopment
Jan. 2, 1970
Fillmore East (Late Show)

Lovely, fine dining all the way.
Wharf Rat
Aug. 2, 1976
Colt Park

Garcia leans hard into this Wharf Rat, especially as a singer. And the crowd just loses its mind during the bridge. Godchaux looms large in this one. Nice basement sua sponte jam.
Playin' In The Band
Aug. 2, 1976
Colt Park

This is as exploratory as any era of this song. Gets waaaaaay the fuck out, then sounds like some groovy ECM music for a little while. Love the audience tape. Wharf Rat transition is odd, but very evocative.
Truckin'
Oct. 9, 1972
Winterland Arena

A predatory Truckin' . . . Slick, slick, slick. Garcia leaves his body - often.