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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3568


Submissions

6
Tennessee Jed
Oct. 1, 1977
Paramount Theatre

Energetic, serene AND Garcia's break is pure ragtime gold. In a good TJ, the guitar is a character. Here: a little insolent. Quality.
2
The Wheel
June 28, 1976
Auditorium Theatre

That spacious, unadorned June 1976 sound is so perfect for The Wheel. This one's dynamic and delivered with feeling. Cool show.
2
Cumberland Blues
March 20, 1971
University of Iowa

Oh man: LISTEN! Vocals are mixed a bit high, but this Cumberland has all the important "little" details. Notes the quotes. B'AM!!!!
1
Tennessee Jed
July 12, 1976
Orpheum Theater

1976: Your standard issue tipsy, warm-hearted TJ of the period. The guitar break is more conversation than guitar solo. Standard but special.
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.

Comments

The Other One
May 7, 1972
Bickershaw Festival

From a great Drums into peak band telepathy. Were they ever better than this? And Garcia never gets his due full, faith, & credit for being one the great Strat players of all time.
Here Comes Sunshine
Feb. 23, 1974
Winterland Arena

Spending quality time with this rendition for the first time, really. Muscular. In total, absolute command throughout. Swiss Watchish. Switch Washish. You know what I'm attempting to say. Top El Sleevo! Grooves for weeks.
Estimated Prophet
July 1, 1978
Arrowhead Stadium

Nothing amiss here. Garcia pushes out in the outro. And that always sounds fucking kick-ass.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
June 16, 1974
Iowa State Fairgrounds

Definitely don't prefer this show over 6/18, but it's still amazing. A super mighty China Cat with crazy good Garcia playing. The guitar. Electric. Godchaux on electric piano works like gangbustas, too. And the Trips version sounds great.
The Other One
June 7, 1970
Fillmore West

By this point in its history, the Grateful Dead was starting to muscle people around. This version is that great combo of nitro-burning funny muscle car and precision instrument.