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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+23524


Submissions

20
Eyes Of The World
April 3, 1982
The Scope

Unlike nearly every other '80's version, this one isn't all speeded out and rushed; instead it's groovy, jazzy, intricate, very pretty for its time
18
Promised Land
Nov. 11, 1973
Winterland Arena

Yep...too rocking a tune to be ignored. Hard to beat this one, especially as kick-off of trio: Promised>Bertha>GSET
43
Fire On The Mountain
July 13, 1985
Ventura County Fairgrounds

Extremely rare stand-alone "Fire"...2nd song, first set, and a real barn-burner!
4
Deal
Oct. 30, 1977
Assembly Hall - Indiana University

Garcia's solos roll like lightning & rock like thunder. Sings it w/gusto, too. Not to be missed.
56
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Sept. 11, 1982
West Palm Beach Auditorium

The very definition of "underrated." Almost lost to time& yet it kills. No flubbed verses, great steady reggae jams;perfect transition. Please try it.

Comments

Truckin'
April 26, 1983
The Spectrum

Might be the best I’ve heard from this year. Super tight rendition, great vocals (harmony too) and no lyrical botches. They nail the wind up section & Jerry follows with a brief but gritty and confident Nobody’s Fault riff. A+ and easy upvote....hoping it at least goes double digits w the official release
West L.A. Fadeaway
April 26, 1983
The Spectrum

Maybe unfairly comparing this to the gold standards of alpine ‘89 or Copps ‘90 but I find this version pretty weak overall. Jerry seems unsure of the lyrics & while he mostly gets it right he sounds like he’s just barely doing so. Jamming is nowhere near what it would become in later years....nice Brent contributions to give it some funk but not a standout to these ears.
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
April 26, 1983
The Spectrum

Great example of a speedy but superbly played version of the trio, which in this bring back year could often sound tepid or just plain sloppy not to mention littered with butchered lyrics. No worries here & the slipknot is a monster for any era.
It Must Have Been The Roses
April 26, 1983
The Spectrum

Great vocals on an ‘83 version of this beauty ballad? Surprise surprise but it’s true.
Fire On The Mountain
Sept. 16, 1978
Sphinx Theatre

Agree the Egypt shows are unfairly maligned & why I haven’t upvoted this version of Fire, which is one of my most listened to of all time, I have no idea. Spectacular version that also contains one of the best ever segue/intros, freed up from its pairing with Scarlet it starts with a totally different vibe and continues with grand work by Jerry & of course Phil...also leads into a sweet Iko. Overdue plus one here