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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3673


Submissions

4
Ship of Fools
Oct. 18, 1978
Winterland Arena

An especially sharp and spirited specimen - expressive vocals, the rhythm section is precise, and Garcia's guitar break is masterful. A still life.
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.

Comments

Dark Star
Aug. 24, 1968
Shrine Auditorium

Crackling with energy! I love Garcia's brash LP with Pigpen's organ loop. Joyous. I also love how Lesh sticks close to the complex Dark Star verse bass guitar narrative. '68 Dark Star is a singular creature.
Terrapin Station
April 27, 1977
Capitol Theatre

A sweet revisit. I like the slight shakiness to Garcia's voice. This song works when the group is both strong and vulnerable. Sounds like a joke, but it's not.
Dark Star
Aug. 24, 1972
Berkeley Community Theatre

This is a fluid version - listen to the group listen to each other. Very different to me than 8/27, but worth its weight.
The Other One
May 21, 1977
Lakeland Civic Center

It might be blasphemous to say this, but I often prefer both Travis Beans to everything that came after.
The Other One
May 21, 1977
Lakeland Civic Center

State-of-the-art: 1977. Such a range of dynamics. As w/a lot of great moments from May 77, this features an extended soliloquy by Garcia -- almost as if he's just kickin' back with guitar and amp in his hotel room at 4am. And then they transition into a poetic Comes A Time.