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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+24543


Submissions

31
Let It Grow
Oct. 2, 1977
Paramount Theatre

The most "Spanish-flavored" of LIG's, evokes old southwest almost Mariachi vibe. Brilliant Garcia changes-Rise&Fall!
25
Althea
May 6, 1980
Rec Hall, Penn State U

Recent Road Trips release is a perfecto: Outstanding vocals from Jerry and a jam after the lyrics that grooves and rocks super-hard. 5-star version!
46
Deep Elem Blues
May 2, 1970
Harpur College

Jerry's voice just exactly bluesy perfect...groovy & slow acoustic cadence & the boys harmonizing sweetly on the chrouses. Outstanding early version
30
Box of Rain
March 20, 1986
Hampton Coliseum

A+ for the crowd alone. Are there better ones? Of course. But I was there & the ecstacy after 14 years of no Box makes this version legendary.
15
Mississippi Halfstep Uptown Toodeloo
Sept. 18, 1990
Madison Square Garden

Astonishingly strong Jerry vocals, especially given the year, and some of the prettiest Hornsby-led fills make this one a real great sleeper pick.

Comments

Bird Song
Oct. 17, 1983
Olympic Center

This has a sparkling jam segment that builds and peaks & before going back into the final verse settles into a mellow-spacey mini jam reminiscent of the gentle space touches of 6/22/73. Overlooked version as cgarces said b/c of the Sugaree from the same show. Should stand on its own merits tho'.
Alligator
June 6, 1970
Fillmore West

Exactly what ERA said--this should be labeled Kitchen Sink jam for everything it's got going on. I also just submitted this one under "Darkness Jam" which it definitely has, but that's just one amazing nugget among many. I'd put this jam segment up against any they did in any era--it's that good. Top 5 Jam segment all time at the very least.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Nov. 2, 1977
Field House - Seneca College

@cgarces this one's growing on me even more now that DaP 12 is out...sound quality is stellar. I don't mind the shortness of the "Fire"...sometimes Fires go on a bit long for my taste (unless they are of an elite category & then I'm all for stretching out as long as possible!) The Candyman, Ramble, and much more from this show are really special.
Big River
Nov. 2, 1977
Field House - Seneca College

Ohhhhhh yes. Take a listen to the new DaP 12 and you'll bump this toot sweet.
Werewolves of London
July 8, 1978
Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Writing this on Halloween w/a nod to the version they were all more "into" live than any other. Love Donna's call and response w/Jerry on the final verse w/the werewolf drinking a pina colada at Trader Vic's. Priceless.