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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+23524


Submissions

78
Jack Straw
Oct. 20, 1984
Carrier Dome, Syracuse U

Crazy hard driving insanisty to end the first set. One of those jam segments that builds and builds and KABOOMS into final verse. Phil fans: a must
15
Stella Blue
April 19, 1982
Baltimore Civic Center

Sweet & melty....gorgeous harmonies from Brent.
81
Sugaree
Oct. 16, 1977
Louisiana State U

1977 was a helluva year for this song. I have no quarrel w/ 5/5, 5/19, or 5/21, but I think this one beats 'em all by a nose!
50
St. Stephen
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

With all due rfespect to Barton Hall & others, this is the best version out there (IMO). Bluesy, rockin', jammin', just exactly perfect
29
Candyman
Dec. 15, 1986
Oakland Coliseum Arena

Must hear b/c it's Jerry's first show back after the coma...crowd goes INSANE on "won't you tell everybody you meet that the Candyman's in town!"

Comments

Playin' In The Band
May 1, 1977
The Palladium

Dreamy version, patient and floaty, like many from '77--great launching pad for the rest of the excellent set & the reprise is a thing of beauty too
St. Stephen
June 9, 1976
Boston Music Hall

Not a bad rendition if a bit on the mellow side for a Stephen...very good flow & groove
Black Throated Wind
Sept. 21, 1972
The Spectrum

Just a beautifully played rendition...lots of commitment to lyrics by Bobby & a confident read all around.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Aug. 12, 1981
Salt Palace

'81 and '82 are underrepresented for great S>F's, I'm guessing b/c there aren't many high quality SBDs in this time period but there's a pretty good one here and as others have noted this is a version whose vote total really could be a heckuvalot higher. Super breezy tempo on the Scarlet but the band's in total control--no slop--the transition is typical for the year in being long & intricate & full of color & the Fire just rips.
Eyes Of The World
March 19, 1990
Civic Center

Tell ya who really shines in this super underrated 90s gumdrop is the rhythm devils who keep the faster pace beautifully and roll the rock along for a very nice rendition that also features strong vocals from Jerry and some tasty guitar licks unencumbered for the most part by midi distractions. Really enjoyed a recent revisit to this one and glad to upvote it