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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

The Wheel
June 14, 1976
Beacon Theatre

What a gorgeous set opener. This Wheel is the ideal combination of spacey and precise. Their delicate control of dynamics is especially rewarding here. Love '76 Wheels and this version reminds me why.
Brown Eyed Women
June 14, 1976
Beacon Theatre

Such an amazing show - Brown-Eyed Women don't get much better than this. Garcia's bubbly guitar break is jaw dropping.
Scarlet Begonias
Oct. 19, 1974
Winterland Arena

The coda on this version swings for weeks - the group is on fire. Garcia's playing throughout is breathtaking and I like the D. Godchaux whirls and wails - she clearly stands a distance from the microphone to get a more disembodied, ethereal, subtle sound. Also - I love the give-and-take in the coda jam; it isn't just Garcia dominating, but when he asserts his presence, it's declarative, definitive, and scorching.
Dire Wolf
Sept. 10, 1974
Alexandra Palace

A song about death & destruction (Weir) - performed friendly, loose, & laid-back. Lesh's bass sounds quite nice and Garcia's vocal is an outgoing croon. Dig Garcia's guitar breaks - again really loose, almost like he's swinging in a hammock. Weir's comping is sweet.
Dark Star
Feb. 2, 1970
Fox Theatre

Pretty much right in my Dark Star wheelhouse: 1970, baby! Not quite as earth-shattering as 2/13 or 9/19, but well worth your time.