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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

Jack Straw
June 23, 1974
Jai-Alai Fronton

Restraint carries the day. Everyone plays slightly behind the beat, but it never drags. In fact, it pulsates. A lovely, skittering version. And, fuck, it was performed at a Jai-Alai Fronton! That's just bizarro. This one should probably be better known.
The Other One
Oct. 19, 1971
Northrop Auditorium, U. of Minn.

This, to me, is the first moment one realizes that Godchaux's bringing Blue Note onto the stage. Forever changing everything.
Eyes Of The World
Dec. 31, 1976
Cow Palace

Full-throated! Lesh gets things off to an inviting start and the rest of the track does not disappoint. The transition to Wharf Rat is beautiful and Who-like.
New Potato Caboose
Oct. 12, 1968
Avalon Ballroom

This show is almost like a Best Of. Every song here is in ace form. Thus, the New Potato Caboose is a fierce calliope, out-of-control.
New Potato Caboose
Feb. 14, 1968
Carousel Ballroom

This may be my favorite take. The group handles the complex and dynamic elements like graceful sleepwalkers. I, too, arrived relatively late to the bosom of this amazing piece of psychedelia. This version gets absolute complete commitment from everyone - even Pig at his most melodic and spaced. I'm not sure there are any bad New Potato Cabooses, but this one is at the top of the mountain. My various breads and various butters.