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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3668


Submissions

2
Candyman
July 12, 1976
Orpheum Theater

Spare, almost vulnerable take on this classic. Godchaux brings the church and Garcia brings the stained glass. An American beauty.
5
Estimated Prophet
Jan. 30, 1978
Uptown Theater

You can hear the swagger in their mutterings before they play. And the performance bears that out. Sure, smooth, and effortless.
1
It Must Have Been The Roses
Aug. 4, 1974
Philadelphia Civic Center

Letter perfect - the Godchauxs take this to a loftier level. Beautiful dynamic push-and-pull by the whole group.
3
Tennessee Jed
May 25, 1972
Strand Lyceum

Planting the Flag of Civilization on this tight scorcher. New from factory - Inspector #9. Under penalty of law, this tag may not be YEAH GARCIA!
5
Candyman
Jan. 31, 1978
Uptown Theater

Dreamy, motionless rendition on a sea of individual human reactions [audience tape]. A wonderful time for this gem.

Comments

Tennessee Jed
Oct. 24, 1971
Easttown Theatre

Snaps like a Twix! Much like one of my favorites 10/26/71, this Jed pulsates, squirms, and whirls like a dervish. Super enthusiasm for a hot new song. Garcia's Strat is particularly strident and bratty. And high speed!
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
Oct. 9, 1976
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Stadium

Confident, brash, authoritative. A classic version (with a killer S&D tucked inside as a special treat). Great show.
Tennessee Jed
Aug. 2, 1976
Colt Park

I actually like the plodding '76 TJs. Moreover, I love that Garcia's guitar breaks often sound like the town drunk careening down Main Street. This one has some real life, too, b/c the crowd is waaaay into it. Love that.
Jack Straw
May 21, 1977
Lakeland Civic Center

How did I just start focusing on this one? Perfectly paced, clean as a fucking bean, spacey, Garcia-crazy - it's all in place. Everyone lends just the right touch.
Estimated Prophet
May 21, 1977
Lakeland Civic Center

Restaurant Quality. One of the ultimate Estimateds in my mind - perfect representation of this song (should probably be the version on Terrapin), but way more than that. Right up there w/5/19 for me. Pick 'em. Both Garcia-led codas are exemplars in my world.