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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

4
Estimated Prophet
Aug. 31, 1985
Manor Downs

Hot as the night in Texas on which it was played.
11
One More Saturday Night
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

Like every other song from this, my favorite all-time show, it's a best-of candidate. Just rocks hard.
2
Alabama Getaway
Dec. 5, 1979
Uptown Theater

Come for the 'Bama but stay for the rest of the show. This rocker 'Bama is Jerry and Brent at their very best. This entire show, tho', is a monster.
13
Stagger Lee
June 27, 1985
SPAC

Right after Phil tells a guy to get off the blacony cuz 50,000 people are waiting for him to, and Bob does the dog nose joke, Jer rips into a fine SL!
8
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Oct. 18, 1989
The Spectrum

Pretty good China followed by the best 80's OR 90's RIDER I've ever heard. Check Jer's run going into "sun gonna shine" verse. 5 stars fo RIDER alone.

Comments

Playin' In The Band
Oct. 19, 1973
Oklahoma City Fairgrounds Arena

Deadprof & Cgarces are both spot-on. Just pulled this one out today and realized this version has a ton in common with the "Birdsong" from 6/22/73, in that it contains, dream-like, space-goo jazz passages that just float into your brain and give it a big musical hug. The flow back into the reprise is organically delicious and you get the sense that no matter how deep into cloudspace they went, the PITB focus was never lost, only waiting in the background. Superior version.
He's Gone
Feb. 28, 1973
Salt Palace

Soulful like a gospel choir in the singing outro portion. Jerry's riffs into "Goin where the wind don't blow so strange" verse are worth the price of admission alone.
Eyes Of The World
Feb. 26, 1973
Pershing Municipal Auditorium

Been listening to this show more and more and this EYES is certainly underrated, probably b/c '73 was so chock full of great versions. But this one has a steady consistency and a flawless groove that swings and rocks and jazzes along. Also it might be the first version of the year to avoid a lot of clunkiness in the post-lyrics "stronger than dirt" section....it mostly nails it down. Very sweet Eyes.
The Other One
Dec. 5, 1979
Uptown Theater

All what's said above and more. Before they start the 'he's Gone" that precedes this 01, Bobby sez "We're gonna beg your indulgence and play another sorta slow one (they had done Ship of Fools right before), "but it won't stay slow for long", and the Other One that charges outta the gate led by Phil En Fuego proves him right. Some very cool pre-space exploration as well.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Oct. 19, 1981
Sports Palace

Upvote worthy. Kinda overlooked version and show. Lotta interesting S>F action in '81.