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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

Eyes Of The World
March 22, 1973
Utica Memorial Auditorium

Breathy, sleepy float into the proceedings. Silky. Garcia just skates like the Ice Princess - of course, he's been just completely flying for over 30 minutes straight going into this song. It's win-win.
Tennessee Jed
April 22, 1977
The Spectrum

Rollicking, spring-in-its-step TJ with Godchaux really setting the table. Great guitar interplay during the break - and Garcia can't be stopped. He ascends.
Estimated Prophet
Feb. 26, 1977
Swing Auditorium

What's not to like about this freshie? Not a fully fully formed vehicle yet, but more than just a case of nice bones. I think Garcia and Godchaux are going through the same envelope filter (might even been a filter in Godchaux's set up). The good people of MuTron fixed that soon enough, but it sounds really cool just the way it is.
The Wheel
Feb. 26, 1977
Swing Auditorium

Like an 18-wheeler performing a triple axel. The entry point is downright rude -- like Garcia has just decided WHEEL NOW! There are a smattering of better Wheels out there, I know, but this one has absolutely its own excitement and energy. Unique and memorable. And yes: context means something.
Playin' In The Band
Feb. 26, 1977
Swing Auditorium

This one creeps up on you. On the surface, this is your typical happy-go-lucky '77 Playin' (which is fine) but as they pull away into the meat of the song, that patience and detail (hallmark of this show) take a speaking part and join a union. I have to face the fact that this show matches up very nicely with May of the same year. Fact faced. Accepted. Hey, I was upvote #69! Probably a prize on the way to my house as I type. A giant check. Tickets for a cruise?