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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

52
Dark Star
Dec. 31, 1978
Winterland Arena

Farewell to Winterland; Not 40 mins. long ; no break down into feedback nonsense. Just sweet jazzy jamming; Just exactly perfect send off.
10
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Sept. 25, 1981
Stabler Arena

Transition jam weaves into spaces most fail to go; touch-down into Fire is GOLD. Jerry flubs first line in Fire-after that: 1 of the BEST ever!
19
He's Gone
Sept. 26, 1972
Stanley Theatre

Perfect, self-contained, blues-infused, stellar vocals, 14+ minutes of bliss. Extra fun: Check out the "Birdsong" riff about 10 secs. into the intro
36
Dark Star
Sept. 16, 1972
Boston Music Hall

Amazed this isn't here yet Gorgeous, melodic, jazz-infused, mellow, trippy, spacey into hard ripping Jerry riffs; melts into Brokedown Palace. Sublime
48
Cold Rain and Snow
Oct. 12, 1984
Augusta Civic Center

Kicks off with authority a 2d set every DeadHead needs to hear. Perfect bookend to Jerry's scorching Dew. They say it was cold&rainy that nite in ME.

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!