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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3668


Submissions

4
The Other One
Feb. 28, 1970
Family Dog at the Great Highway

Oversight Alert! Conversational then a violent row ensues. A total taste treat. 1970.
7
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
March 21, 1985
Hampton Coliseum

Voice shot, Garcia hums through his spidery 13 lb. guitar. With a lovely China Cat peak @4:30.
13
Tennessee Jed
March 19, 1977
Winterland Arena

(a) Garcia with aluminum pipe, (b) Purdie Shuffle '77 Pace, (c) Perfect Dynamic Control
7
Sugaree
Dec. 8, 1973
Cameron Indoor Stadium, Duke U

As a queen sits down, knowing that a chair will be there,/ Or a general raises his hand and is given the field-glasses
3
Big River
Dec. 4, 1973
Cincinnati Gardens

Dictionary entry: 1973 Big River - effortless & downstream. Exhibit A.

Comments

The Wheel
June 14, 1976
Beacon Theatre

What a gorgeous set opener. This Wheel is the ideal combination of spacey and precise. Their delicate control of dynamics is especially rewarding here. Love '76 Wheels and this version reminds me why.
Brown Eyed Women
June 14, 1976
Beacon Theatre

Such an amazing show - Brown-Eyed Women don't get much better than this. Garcia's bubbly guitar break is jaw dropping.
Scarlet Begonias
Oct. 19, 1974
Winterland Arena

The coda on this version swings for weeks - the group is on fire. Garcia's playing throughout is breathtaking and I like the D. Godchaux whirls and wails - she clearly stands a distance from the microphone to get a more disembodied, ethereal, subtle sound. Also - I love the give-and-take in the coda jam; it isn't just Garcia dominating, but when he asserts his presence, it's declarative, definitive, and scorching.
Dire Wolf
Sept. 10, 1974
Alexandra Palace

A song about death & destruction (Weir) - performed friendly, loose, & laid-back. Lesh's bass sounds quite nice and Garcia's vocal is an outgoing croon. Dig Garcia's guitar breaks - again really loose, almost like he's swinging in a hammock. Weir's comping is sweet.
Dark Star
Feb. 2, 1970
Fox Theatre

Pretty much right in my Dark Star wheelhouse: 1970, baby! Not quite as earth-shattering as 2/13 or 9/19, but well worth your time.