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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

34
Dupree's Diamond Blues
Nov. 6, 1977
Broome County Arena

Outstanding version with a nice Jerry-led jam early in the tune, after the first verse.
8
Eyes Of The World
Sept. 15, 1978
Sphinx Theatre

Almost criminal this isn't here yet. Grab the Egypt '78 CD & hear one of the loveliest "Eyes" ever. Jazzy, intricate, sweet, & inspired!
13
Loser
Oct. 14, 1977
Hofheinz Pavilion

Possibly the most underrated version of all time with an absolute MONSTER jam by Jerry. Must listen!
8
Looks Like Rain
March 24, 1988
Omni Coliseum

Listen closely: I HATE THIS SONG. Always have. So when I say this is killer it means a lot; & fans of this song tell me it's legendary.
18
Row Jimmy
May 3, 1977
The Palladium

After 3/20/77 and 4/12/78 this may be the best RJ ever. Check out the Miller version that fills in a tape-flip gap & revel in more Garcia magic.

Comments

The Other One
May 31, 1969
McArthur Court, University of Oregon

Please don't let this languish down here with 2 lousy votes. For crying out loud, this one comes in hot on the heels of Harpur College 5-2-70 in terms of tone and just pure JAM! There's no deviating space debris to sift through here, just Garcia ripping liquid riffs one after another in a long, flowing cascade that all gets power-packed into a tight 10 minutes of ecstatic OtherOne-ness. Listen Listen Listen and upvote if you agree, I'm beggin' ya!
Mexicali Blues
July 19, 1989
Alpine Valley Music Theatre

For a song no one ever turns to for instrumental jamming there is, in this version, an extended instrumental bridge that'll make you think the Dead have turned into a mariachi band. Sweet stuff.
Deal
July 19, 1989
Alpine Valley Music Theatre

Sold after seeing it (again) during this year's 'Meet Up at the Movies' version. I've always maintained 5/1/81 as my favorite Deal but why quibble when this one delivers the goods SO good? Saw it live in '89 and seeing it again on film reaffirms it belongs at the top.
Morning Dew
July 19, 1989
Alpine Valley Music Theatre

Saw this for the 2nd time last night at "Meet Up At the Movies." 2nd time b/c I was there for the now-legendary summer '89 Alpine run and now, having been reminded by the first-ever film airing of this show just how good it really was, I'm finally here to upvote as many versions from this show as deserve it (and there are many.) What's remarkable about this Dew is how well Jerry sings it (note especially his full commitment to the "young man" section), along with the shredding you've come to expect from superior Dews and the delicate touches in the quiet sections, which are evident and poignant in this version. Yes, good Dews are everywhere in nearly every era, but this version belongs in any Top 10 discussion. I just needed to see it again to jog the memory and, hopefully, get others to check it out again or even for the first time.
Bird Song
July 25, 1972
Paramount Theater

But there is such a thing as an ignored one. This version is far too good to be sitting so low on the ladder. This whole show, in fact, is underrated, probably due to its proximity to Ventura and overshadowed by the Europe tour, but c'mon. This is played with a perfect flow and ease and precision that's every bit as good as some of the '72's listed much higher. Give it a listen & show it some love.