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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3673


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

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.