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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+24538


Submissions

5
The Weight
June 7, 1991
Deer Creek Music Center

This is really the best one I've heard--everyobody nails their parts/lyrics...great piano fills on the side (yay, Bruce!). Just exactly, etc.
20
Althea
Sept. 9, 1982
Saenger Performing Arts Center

Incredible. Check out Brent's fills during the epic post-lyrics outro. A must-listen top tier Althea w/bounce, power, & panache!
17
Deal
Feb. 23, 1974
Winterland Arena

Apparently no one is aware that a fellow named Keith played in this band or this version would have 50 votes already. Needs to be heard!
1
Pretty Peggy O
Sept. 4, 1980
Providence Civic Center

Outside of 1977 this may be the best version I've heard. A+ vocals from Jerry, killer mid-solo; slightly faster tempo. Must hear. Gr8 Matrix!
4
Greatest Story Ever Told
Oct. 11, 1989
Meadowlands Arena

Bob's lyric phrasing on this version is unique. He sings it in a way so different than any I've heard before & it's inventive & super-fun. Must hear!

Comments

Lazy Lightnin' -> Supplication
Oct. 28, 1977
Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Hall

can't say Keith is doing anything cheesy here but the Supplication Jam in this one is just plain nasty. Nothing will ever top 5/22/77 for the best in jamming AND precision--it is the gold standard for this combo IMO--but this one is right on its heels and deserves way more than the 2 measly votes it has now. (This show is also a Betty Board which should have you running to it for a listen. You won't be disappointed.)
Shakedown Street
Jan. 15, 1979
Springfield Civic Center

Gets my upvote for the transition/intro to Shakedown, which is as good as advertised, and it's a good version b/c they didn't really do any bad ones in '79, but compared to some of the truly excellent ones. it doesn't hold up as well throughout the whole tune. Jer botches the opening lyrics and the "just gotta poke around" round robin sections are kind of uninspired. The jam after the lyrics is good, no quarrels, but it won't blow you away like New Haven or Halloween Nassau of this year, and for a truly under appreciated and absolutely note-perfect killer Shake, I urge y'all to try just 5 days previous to this 1/10/79 from Nassau. This is a gritty, grimy-funkfest of Jerry at his best and the whole of the crew crushing it as well. Phil after says "Shakedown Street...you know it well!"
Althea
Sept. 11, 1982
West Palm Beach Auditorium

This whole show is great-- except, whoops, I was thinking of a different one from '82 ...my bad
Eyes Of The World
Dec. 31, 1976
Cow Palace

Yep, as merryjerry noted this is technically the first Eyes of 1977, coming just after SugarMag kicked off the New Year and strangely enough this version shares many of the same attributes as one at the tail end of the year in 11/4/77 marked by incredibly fast, yet in control Garcia jams. The band is all in tow as well and it serves as a great place-setter for what I fully believe was the best year overall for this song that was always in rotation every year since its debut in 1973. The intro is jazzy, the middle jams are raucous and beautiful at the same time and the jam after the final verse--while seeming a bit lackluster and meandering at first--actually serves its purpose for flowing lovingly into a sweet Wharf Rat. No question this gets my upvote.
Dark Star
Feb. 7, 1969
Stanley Theater

Some very cool early DS magic right here. Flowing psychedelic ooze that nevertheless maintains the main theme structure throughout...classic '69 Dead w/a fine recording taboot. Deserves a listen and some upvotage.