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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+24543


Submissions

31
Let It Grow
Oct. 2, 1977
Paramount Theatre

The most "Spanish-flavored" of LIG's, evokes old southwest almost Mariachi vibe. Brilliant Garcia changes-Rise&Fall!
25
Althea
May 6, 1980
Rec Hall, Penn State U

Recent Road Trips release is a perfecto: Outstanding vocals from Jerry and a jam after the lyrics that grooves and rocks super-hard. 5-star version!
46
Deep Elem Blues
May 2, 1970
Harpur College

Jerry's voice just exactly bluesy perfect...groovy & slow acoustic cadence & the boys harmonizing sweetly on the chrouses. Outstanding early version
30
Box of Rain
March 20, 1986
Hampton Coliseum

A+ for the crowd alone. Are there better ones? Of course. But I was there & the ecstacy after 14 years of no Box makes this version legendary.
15
Mississippi Halfstep Uptown Toodeloo
Sept. 18, 1990
Madison Square Garden

Astonishingly strong Jerry vocals, especially given the year, and some of the prettiest Hornsby-led fills make this one a real great sleeper pick.

Comments

Bertha
Nov. 14, 1971
Texas Christian University

I did. I agree. Locked in year for this tune and this is one of the best.
New Minglewood Blues
May 8, 1977
Barton Hall - Cornell University

Top 5 '77 is crazy hard to do (limiting to 5 I mean) My list would be nearly identical to cgarces but 10/29/77 is at the top of my list for that year and any year.
New Minglewood Blues
May 8, 1977
Barton Hall - Cornell University

My 2 pennies on Cornell: it is a truly great and epic show because of the big ticket songs that it's best known for: ScarletFire, Stephen/NFA and Dew. All as good as advertised even if none of them are in my mind "best evers". What drives me bonkers about Cornell is what you've pointed out here: that so many smaller tunes are automatically given prime marks just because they're in this show. Brown Eyed Women is another perfect example along with this NMB. It's fine but there are at least a dozen others way better that are lower on the list. Some people just see Cornell and instantly vault every song to the forefront when objectively they're not worthy.
Pretty Peggy O
Nov. 13, 1978
Music Hall

Brilliant version I ignored for lack of SBD but source provided is a fantastic AUD...very warm recording and the audience reaction to Jerry's solo says it all. Nice Stagger Lee from this show...generally excellent first set.
Bertha
Feb. 24, 1974
Winterland Arena

Great uptempo version with a little extra "till it go down" Jerry vocal and a sweet bridge jam. No hesitation calling this the best of '74.