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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

15
It Must Have Been The Roses
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

Almost every song from this show could be nominated for a "best ever." This heartfelt "Roses" is no exception.
11
Aiko Aiko
Dec. 31, 1987
Oakland Coliseum Arena

With the Neville Bros. Jerry gets his Big Easy on.
17
Promised Land
May 25, 1977
The Mosque

Perfection to end the first set of one of the truly great shows ever. Keith, Bobby, Jerry--the whole crew is in the pocket and rocking it hard.
15
Promised Land
April 1, 1980
Capitol Theatre

Both the best and worst version ever. Why? April Fool's gag: Bobby - keys, Brent & Jerry -drums, Billy - bass - Mickey -guitar Phil-vocals
75
Big River
May 9, 1977
War Memorial

They just could do no wrong at this show, Hidden among all the other gems is this monster River. Big solo work by Jerry; nice fills by Keith.

Comments

Dark Star
Feb. 24, 1974
Winterland Arena

Digging this much more with the excellent sound reproduction from Dap 13...as said above many different themes are explored and it retains a musicality throughout with no major digressions into feedback or aimless noodling, which is refreshingly welcomed in a year in which Dark Stars often got indulgently space-sloppy. Gets my upvote.
St. Stephen
Jan. 22, 1978
McArthur Court, U of Oregon

@Freedom yes, this show is pretty special. They've maintained some of that precision you got all thru 1977 but are beginning to stretch those hard rock boundaries that would come to define '78 with sometimes awesome, other times sloppy, results. I dig this version of St. but to me it doesn't hold up nearly as well as 10/29/77...the mid-jam everyone raves about is unique, but to me doesn't really jell or keep a focus like 10/29/77 does....still, I understand and have no problem--objectively-- w/its ranking here....it misses my upvote only b/c of my admitted bias that 10/29/77 is so much better and is so much lower on the ladder.
The Weight
March 28, 1990
Nassau Coliseum

@Patch I certainly thought this was the debut! Can you point us to the 1970 version? was it a gig they played w/the Band & others? Very curious!
Brown Eyed Women
May 14, 1978
Providence Civic Center

Fluid, lengthy bridge jam by Jerry and an overall exceptional version for a song mostly associated with excellence from the year previous..but this one can stand with many of the greats.
Ramble On Rose
Sept. 26, 1981
Buffalo Auditorium

Really great version from a waaaaayyy underrated show. Get the CM upgrade and check this out.