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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+24543


Submissions

5
Loser
Dec. 6, 1971
Felt Forum, Madison Square Garden

Glorious Jerry vocals, not one, but TWO "sweet Susie's", excellent gritty solo. Best early version ever!
4
Aiko Aiko
March 30, 1987
The Spectrum

Submitting this on Fat Tuesday 2017. Great Mardi Gras version with really nice piano (!) fills by Brent that oughta be heard!
5
Lazy Lightnin' -> Supplication
May 12, 1980
Boston Garden

Get on this one, folks. It's a ripper.
13
Let It Grow
July 29, 1974
Capitol Center

Absolute best of 1974. Not kidding. Jerry's leads are ripping & confident. The band plays flawlessly.Can stand w/some of the best of '77. Must hear.
4
Ramble On Rose
Oct. 21, 1971
Auditorium Theatre

Keith's second show & he's all over this faster paced super fun honky tonk version!

Comments

Bertha
March 27, 1993
Knickerbocker Arena

Not bad for a '93. Pretty good overall in fact, mellowish version, but tight.
Cold Rain and Snow
Oct. 12, 1984
Augusta Civic Center

Even though I submitted this one I agree with Donnie--it does NOT deserve to be #1 on this list. It's good, but not #1 good. The one I actually think belongs in the number one slot is another I submitted further down on this list: 10/12/83 at MSG, which I have no problem calling the best--being most powerful both vocally and in terms of raw instrumental gusto.
Sugaree
April 7, 1991
Orlando Arena

Never thought I'd find a Sugaree this good in 1991. Great jamming in between verses (nothing that rivals the monster '77 jams but excellent nonetheless especially for this era) and more varied contributions from the rest of the gang to fill out the edges. Great vocals from Jerry as well and no lyrical flubs, again perhaps a bit surprising given the year.
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
Aug. 13, 1975
Great American Music Hall

Yes, this needs more ups. It's uber rock n roll Jerry & the only reason I hadn't bumped it before is because I unfairly rate every version against the numero supremo (IMO) of 6/8/77 and while this doesn't rise to that level it's still damn good. +1
Eyes Of The World
Nov. 25, 1973
Feyline Field

Yeah, I'm jumping on board with this one, too. I've always loved this show but took it for granted that this EYES would already be widespread and known and seeing it still in the single digits made me realize I had to vote up. Great lengthy jazzy Jerry runs in between verses and some great workout of the outro material, and melding straight into WX Report. This is a great version even in a year chock full of them.