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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Submissions

3
One More Saturday Night
March 7, 1981
Cole Field House

epic encore bobby leves it all hang out on this version.
2
Loser
Feb. 20, 1971
Capitol Theater

Beautiful early version, but this is excellent, tight vocals has the sweet Susie thrown in like most of the great ones. Cool keyboard sound
3
Alabama Getaway
May 5, 1981
Glens Falls Civic Center

Extremely High energy post space slot coming out of a nice spanish jam. Jerry playing in full on Jedi mode.
8
Althea
May 2, 1981
The Spectrum

Slow and funky with a lot of note bends like all good Althea's. A real cool mellow pace allows the funk to develop smoothly.
5
All Along the Watchtower
June 23, 1988
Alpine Valley Music Theatre

Jerry showing off, this one is very fiery for, liquid flowing leads from Jer, Bobby growls at times. Excellent

Comments

Visions of Johanna
April 7, 1995
Tampa Stadium

Every time Visions was played is special. To me though this is the best. Mournful guitar work and impassioned vocals really make this one rise to the top for me. Jerry really pouring his soul into this version. Amazing performance from an uneven final year show. This has the goods the magic is apparent throughout this tune. Vince sounds especially nice on this version and Bobby plays some crazy rhythm allowing Jerry to really stretch this one out. The bard would be proud of this version for sure.
Playin' In The Band
May 21, 1974
Edmundson Pavilion

This is just one absolutely gigantic mind F#ck. 46 minutes and not a second is wasted. This is a psychedelic journey like no other band could create. This journey reaches space it gets scary it jams is spins and twirls. They explore every inch of playin and it is an absolute marvel. This should be mandatory listening for every jam band or outfit that wants to expand their music. Vocally stunning but it is Jerry and Phil that really drive this beast to an epicness that needs to be heard. This is more than worth the 45+ minute investment it takes to listen to the whole thing. Go ahead grab a cocktail or spark one up or just go in clear headed this will do it to you no matter what state you enter it in.
C. C. Rider
June 21, 1984
Kingswood Music Theater

Hot smoking blues. Not a song I have ever thought of what my favorite or what the best version is but this would be in the running. Starts out as a slow burner but gathers momentum as the song takes off. Really a great version of an under appreciated song. 1984 was certainly a real hit or miss year for the boys, this one is definitely a hit.
Mission in the Rain
June 12, 1976
Music Hall

Incredible sheer brillance and near perfection. This song is so damn amazing slight dropout for a second or two only slightly distracts from the sheer epicness of this performance.I can just imagine standing in the crowd and watching this just pure beautiful emotion. This is what makes this band so damn special they could blow our collective minds in so many ways. Lovely a true treat, oh why did this not stay in rotation easily one of Jerry's best and that is saying something. Everyone is on top of their game here a truly special moment.
Brown Eyed Women
June 30, 1985
Merriweather Post Pavilion

This one is absolutely stellar. The shriking feedbacky notes from outer space Jerry blasts after the "drink down a bottle and ready to kill" line are really special if all to brief. This absolutely makes me smile every-time i hear it. My go to version of a consistently high quality song. Please if not familiar give it a spin. I dont think you will regret it. Truly great and high energy performance.