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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

Estimated Prophet
March 31, 1987
The Spectrum

Nice tip, DS67! Digging in - sounds zesty! Thanks for digging into some '87 gold. Odd, I don't think I was at this show -- but I might have been.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
May 8, 1977
Barton Hall - Cornell University

To me, this is still definitive. I like 78 S>Fs, but Garcia forgets the 4th verse too often for my taste. And I don't think the post-single drummer Dead was ever quite the machine they were in 5/77. On this version, Garcia, as singer, sounds almost overwhelmed by the power of the band around him. It's a thing of perfect beauty. And Weir's China>Rider lick in Fire is just too cheeky.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
May 5, 1977
New Haven Coliseum

Great energy. Listened to this one running yesterday and it definitely propelled me through the toughest parts like I was on a moving sidewalk. Garcia's vocal in Scarlet rivals 5/8 - he sounds like a man trying to keep a hat from blowing off. That's how cookin' the band is.
Estimated Prophet
May 5, 1977
New Haven Coliseum

I've always been a fan of this 2nd Set and the Estimated surely sets the tone nicely. Big, warm, murky estimated with that May '77 clarity and definition. One could up vote pretty much any Estimated from this time - and I just might.
Samson and Delilah
May 19, 1977
Fox Theatre

S&D is usually a song over which I don't ruminate, but this one is so strong. Clean lines, passionate playing. Great Set 2 opener.