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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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MrMystery

Dead on arrival

+2490


Submissions

3
Cassidy
July 2, 1985
Civic Arena

Jerry sinks his teeth into this jam. A wonder to behold.
4
Truckin'
April 13, 1985
Irvine Meadows

Arguably the version in which Bobby forgot the fewest lyrics. Also great, imaginative playing by Jerry throughout.
3
Man Smart, Woman Smarter
March 24, 1985
Civic Center

From the cold depths of 1985 comes a truly great MSWS. Drums are tight, Phil and Bobby sound great, and Jerry repeatedly comes up with gold.
5
Spoonful
Feb. 18, 1985
Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center

Bobby high in the mix; great guitar-Brent interplay
4
Bird Song
Oct. 8, 1984
The Centrum

Bird Songs started to get longer around this time and that's not a bad thing. Listen to what Bobby plays starting at 7:32

Comments

Let It Grow
Dec. 31, 1985
Oakland Coliseum

Slamming version
High Time
Nov. 1, 1985
Richmond Coliseum

Listen to the first phrase of Jerry's solo. It's a standard figure that he sometimes uses to begin the song (though not this time), but it is played with such clarity and feeling that it's like a shot through the brain. He briefly struggles to find the right notes immediately after, which only underscores the impact.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Oct. 14, 1983
Hartford Civic Center

When Brent played that genius riff in the intro, his notes shot out into the Hartford Civic Center and bounced around the rafters like balls of sparkly green lightning.
Dire Wolf
June 25, 1985
Blossom Music Center

It's got everything you're looking for in a 1985 DW: quick tempo, plaintive croaking vocals, and a tight pedal steely solo from Jer.
Midnight Hour
April 8, 1985
The Spectrum

Great version with Jerry in good form and humor, quoting the Jackson 5.