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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3668


Submissions

2
Bertha
March 14, 1971
Camp Randall Field House

At :30 Pig switches from tambourine to organ and we're off! These early '71 performances showcase Kreutzmann reveling in sweet space. Driving.
6
Loser
Feb. 19, 1971
Capitol Theater

A delicate, tight, searching super early version of a staple. Kruetzmann plays it light and springy and that 1971 Lesh caramel bass guitar!
3
Tennessee Jed
June 11, 1976
Boston Music Hall

If you know this smooth customer of a show, you know how drynamic [yes, I typed that] and user friendly this TJ is. An always welcome visitor.
2
Sugaree
June 26, 1976
Auditorium Theatre

Few things better than a June '76 Sugaree. Garcia with the first Travis Bean just sketches with the lightest, barest of precious metal filaments.
3
Tennessee Jed
July 22, 1972
Paramount Northwest Theatre

Summer '72 Jed: Sweet dynamics & precision engineering. Weir & Kreutzmann stir it up during Garcia's guitar break.

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.