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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

41
Sugar Magnolia
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

Best ever. No fooling. Don't miss Mickey and Billy dueling each other at the frenzied end jam before heading into SSDD. Whole version insane!
80
Jack Straw
Oct. 20, 1984
Carrier Dome, Syracuse U

Crazy hard driving insanisty to end the first set. One of those jam segments that builds and builds and KABOOMS into final verse. Phil fans: a must
15
Stella Blue
April 19, 1982
Baltimore Civic Center

Sweet & melty....gorgeous harmonies from Brent.
88
Sugaree
Oct. 16, 1977
Louisiana State U

1977 was a helluva year for this song. I have no quarrel w/ 5/5, 5/19, or 5/21, but I think this one beats 'em all by a nose!
53
St. Stephen
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

With all due rfespect to Barton Hall & others, this is the best version out there (IMO). Bluesy, rockin', jammin', just exactly perfect

Comments

Greatest Story Ever Told
June 22, 1973
Pacific Coliseum

...and Keith is more prominent here than in many versions. Can't really go wrong w/any song from this show but yeah, the G-SET shoulda been up on the big board already.
New Minglewood Blues
June 8, 1977
Winterland Arena

check out all the other tunes mentioned above as well. Was just grooving to that version of Eyes recently. Phenomenal. A perfect 3-night run.
Eyes Of The World
March 25, 1990
Knickerbocker Arena

Absolutely love this version now that I've heard it in its best CD form, and yes, it will forever be in the shadow of the Branford performance from 4 days later....but while it can't reach that level, it's far better than any other save Nassau that I've heard in the 90's (and that includes the excellent 3/31/91 w/Hornsby.) What really sets this apart is how great Jerry's singing is...he sings this so well it's kind of astonishing, really, given the year. As noted above, the jamming is mellow and groovy but w/many points of departure into interesting and jazzy spaces. let's move this puppy up the ladder!
Eyes Of The World
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

@allyinnoyang You have no idea how jealous I am. This is my all-time, hands-down, favorite Grateful Dead show of all time. Can't believe you were there with like, what, 5, maybe 6,000 people, tops? Dang.
Deal
Sept. 16, 1978
Sphinx Theatre

Agree it's too low...in fact this whole Egypt run gets strangely overlooked even after the official CD release. One of my favorite versions of EYES also come from the Pyramid shows & this DEAL is very worthy of more attention.