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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Ernie5

No cholesterol.

+3668


Submissions

1
Cumberland Blues
Dec. 13, 1969
Swing Auditorium

A cozy little delight - hand percussion, contemplation, great stereo drums, and some rip roaring riffage. Comes in under the radar, but worth a visit.
12
Sugaree
June 18, 1976
Capitol Theatre

As much as I love May 77 Sugarees, Spring 76 is where it's at for me. Subtlety, separation, and Garcia's whispery, silver-dipped guitar breaks.
6
Candyman
April 19, 1978
Veterans Memorial Auditorium

1978: Prime weather for Candyman. This performance, like many from then, highlights the bleak world of the narrator. Garcia's break: spidery.
4
Tennessee Jed
Oct. 29, 1971
Allen Theatre

Bubbly, bratty storyboard version. Character & twang for miles. I'd pay to see this band. Two for a tenner? Four please.
9
Terrapin Station
April 27, 1977
Capitol Theatre

This is a very sweet Terrapin. Everyone's fired up to play it. All you need to do is watch the vid to see the pure joy this brings Garcia. Memorable.

Comments

Bird Song
Feb. 22, 1973
Assembly Hall, University of Illinois

bzfgt: sweet interstitial analysis! Lots to review and soak in from your entries. No question: Garcia is at his peak. How long did it last? Who knows/cares? But this is right in the heart of it. Garcia seems to always be announcing while improvising - not content to simply ride the rapids, he's dictating, but doing more than just leading the group charge; he's carving new neural pathways. So declarative - such a rare bird. This is why I always say "he doesn't play guitar solos!" I always say it. It's something I always say. It built my mansion and maintains my pool. You know: pH. Propa.
U.S. Blues (Wave That Flag)
Oct. 18, 1974
Winterland Arena

A really swell version of a song I don’t generally think about very often. Main reason: Garcia’s splashy, killer guitar break. A real taste treat.
Bird Song
Feb. 21, 1971
Capitol Theater

As is often the case, the Charlie Miller version is probably the go-to, although there are a few comparative good ones out there. https://archive.org/details/gd1971-02-21.sbd.miller.116618.flac16/gd71-02-21d2t07.flac
Lost Sailor -> Saint of Circumstance
Sept. 11, 1982
West Palm Beach Auditorium

Garcia is feeling it throughout the Lost Sailor - some magical playing. The entire group is bringing the heavy cannons. Or something.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Feb. 23, 1971
Capitol Theater

Agreed DS67!