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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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catalonia

neshaminy

+2082


Submissions

2
He's Gone
Nov. 18, 1978
Uptown Theatre

Unique section after the gospel singing. Great transition to TOO
6
Touch of Grey
Sept. 15, 1982
Capital Centre

The debut, as an encore - raw, lyrics askew, fun times
3
The Music Never Stopped
Dec. 21, 1978
The Summit

A speedy rendition on a single extant AUD from what is IMO the golden age of TMNS. Good for 77-Feb79, but compares favorably to any MNS thereafter.
1
Cumberland Blues
Sept. 11, 1981
Greek Theater

This one cooks. It’s the third one since 74, but it’s all so fluid.
4
Mind Left Body Jam
Sept. 6, 1979
Madison Square Garden

The transition between NFA and Stella is about a minute of MLB. Not the best, but a unique transition and tease for 1979.

Comments

Jack Straw
Aug. 27, 1983
Seattle Center Coliseum

There are different Jack Straws for different people. Many prefer the lightning in 1/11/79 and 10/20/84, both of which are up on the list. This one here has some speediness to it, and so I don't sneer at it, it's very good, but I would say that it's a little less intense than those two and perhaps they may help it up the list as I've seen people in the past react negatively to the balls out playing by Jerry on 1/11/79 (and 1/7/79 too) as well as 10/20/84. I was surprised to see allusions to sound quality problems in the comments here. The linked source sounds great for this song (I didn't listen to anything else) and while Brent does sound like he's playing a toy piano, I kind of like it, its typical of the time period and anyway, I happen to think that '83 was a great year. But face it, some people will never vote for a non-EU72 version of Jack Straw - and I see too that Veneta on its anniversary has a ton of votes. I do think that the Cornell Jack Straw is close to studio quality perfection, but I like the grittiness to 1/22/78 and 6/4/78, both of which are up on the list and are early forays outside of the sweet aesthetic of the pre-hiatus years and the return in '77. I'd have to be convinced on one after the coma. I've never understood the Oxford one up here, but to each his own.
Franklin's Tower
Dec. 4, 1979
Uptown Theater

I come to this website for comments like Scarlet_Fire’s above. This Franklin’s>Jam was the first thing I listened to when the new discs arrived and the jam is better than I hoped. And it’s great to know now where to look to find similar stuff in Fall 79. Still, this jam has so many turns. The first half I think is really best described as a Franklins jam, if that makes sense, and they try out three or four themes in the second half, all of which I enjoyed.
Lost Sailor -> Saint of Circumstance
Dec. 11, 1979
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall

Yes, the prelude to this Saint is unique and the jam that follows it is fantastic in parts. Don't get me wrong, because I love Sailor>Saint, but a lot of the versions on the ladder aren't all that dissimilar. This Saint has both a one-off beginning and an anomalous jam, reminiscent, at times, of Estimated Prophet, to follow.
The Music Never Stopped
Dec. 3, 1979
Uptown Theatre

Not top 10 or anything, but still from the period where Jerry tears this song up.
Terrapin Station
Dec. 3, 1979
Uptown Theatre

Crystal clear recording and tremendous Terrapin