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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

28
Playin' In The Band
May 11, 1972
Rotterdam Civic Hall

Sometimes shorter is better. At around 10 mins. this beauty from E'72 packs the jazz, jam, passion. Like a more intense version of the one on ACE!
26
Scarlet Begonias
Oct. 3, 1976
Cobo Arena

No clean SBD on archive but at official Dead site a pristine version was on 30 days of Dead for DL. 2d best stand-alone I've heard next to 3-20-77
66
Pretty Peggy O
May 19, 1977
Fox Theatre

DP Vol. 29...Each time I think I've heard the best (i.e. 12/27/77) I hear one better. This is it. Flowing, gorgeous Jerry bridge jam. Perfection.
4
Don't Ease Me In
June 20, 1980
West High Auditorium

Proves the boys could really swing when they wanted to. Hear Jerry on "The Girl I Love" line; like 'Gator Alley--1980 a good year for this tune
32
Not Fade Away
May 26, 1977
Baltimore Civic Center

Insane. Ridiculous. Drummers locked in, Garcia in take-no-prisoners mode. 16+ minutes of full-bore Rock to the G-D Roll.

Comments

Eyes Of The World
March 29, 1990
Nassau Coliseum

Have loved this version for so long I only recently remembered I never voted for it! Shame to take it for granted. Just such a brilliant meeting of the musical minds, Branford sounds like he's been with the band since Day 1. It's not as intense as some other versions, and really no one expects Jerry to go off like he did in '77 or '74, but his maturity and the whole band's pacing in this rendition make it an all-time classic that stands up to any version in any era. Gorgeous.
Row Jimmy
April 18, 1987
Irvine Meadows

Was at all 3 of these Irvine shows...really fun time, although you sure can see a drop-off in the exploratory jamming mode in '87 in favor of shorter "get to the point" numbers. This RJ is kind of an exception as Jerry is clearly enjoying what he's up to, especially in the final stanzas.
Mountain Jam
July 28, 1973
Grand Prix Racecourse

Should have and would have if I'd been more on the ball. Was just listening the other day to the birdsong and wharf rat from the soundcheck and delighted at how great it was. This is killer mt jam stuff!
They Love Each Other
Feb. 15, 1973
Dane County Coliseum

@ freedomhall You probably already know it but just in case you don't my all time favorite show is 10/29/77. I'll certainly brainstorm others and would appreciate your recommendations as well!
They Love Each Other
Feb. 15, 1973
Dane County Coliseum

Absolutely! This is one of those "assumed it was there already " versions. Peppy and self-assured early rendition. A fine pick!