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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

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

Feel Like A Stranger
May 1, 1981
Hampton Coliseum

Agreed. There isn't much from this show that couldn't stand up as a #1 contender at the very least. Althea, Franklin's, Wheel, He's Gone--all stand outs from an amazing show & this Stranger--never a song that stood out to me--is pretty special here.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Oct. 20, 1974
Winterland Arena

It makes ZERO SENSE that this had only one vote when I came to it. What exactly in the name of Jerry is goin' on here? The ChinaCat here is so fluid and Jerry is throwing in tempo changes and extra notes all while holding the main theme somehow tighter than a drum...the rest of the band is right in line, having a blast...Phil's out front and Keith's just butter...then the transition jam charges into jazz city before back-dooring its way into a subtle FeelinGroovyJam intro, which then gets a smooth, elongated treatment before shifting into a rockin' Rider. I know there's a million great versions of this pairing from '72-'74 but even so this one NEEDS higher ranking and really belongs in a Top 5 conversation. Listen and then come back. I'll wait.
Jack A Roe
May 17, 1977
Memorial Coliseum

This and Jerry's laid-back, intricate notes in all the earliest versions always remind me of Mark Knopfler's sound and style. Check out any early Dire Straits tunes "Once Upon a Time in the West" or "In the Gallery" or really anything from their first two albums and you'll see what I mean.
Dark Star
Nov. 2, 1969
Family Dog at the Great Highway

Both grateful and embarrassed that I'm only just now coming around to how spectacular this Dark Star is! May have just surpassed 10/25 as my favorite of 1969...it's just what a Dark Star should be: beautiful, contemplative, jazzy, then at turns dark, mysterious, flowing, jamming, and with added treats in the latter part of the song: a sweet "Tighten Up" jam and what sounds a whole lot like "Only the Beginning" from Chicago Transit Authority near the end. Exceptional Dark Star!
Dark Star
Jan. 10, 1979
Nassau Coliseum

You won't find a better post-1974, pre-Branford Dark Star than this (w/the exception of Winterland 12/31/78). Plus, this whole show is grossly overlooked. It contains an absolutely killer "Shakedown" and an all-time-best "Miracle" to compliment this meaty DS.