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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

10
Black Peter
Sept. 25, 1981
Stabler Arena

After 10/29/77 this should be your go-to BP. Emotion oozes and Jer shreds the outro.
11
Beat it on Down The Line
March 22, 1990
Copps Coliseum

A breezy bouncin' bubbly Bobby Beat it...best of the 90's.
8
El Paso
March 27, 1972
Academy of Music

Jerry in serious bluegrass mode. Most country-westernized version ever. At the end Phil sez "Thanks, Texans" even tho' they're in NYC. Awesome version
23
Let It Grow
Sept. 19, 1990
Madison Square Garden

Hornsby gets on board in a big way & Jerry jazzes up the jam sections. Weir slashes away & sings w/passion. Strong candidate for Best of the 90's.
4
Desolation Row
April 17, 1987
Irvine Meadows

This song was only as good as Bobby was committed to it, and on this night he was 100% in Dylan-idoling mode. Gorgeous rendeition, lovingly sung.

Comments

Lazy Lightnin' -> Supplication
May 22, 1977
The Sportatorium

the best, Jerry...the Best!
Bird Song
Sept. 21, 1972
The Spectrum

Absolutely agree. Would have listed this one myself had I not assumed it was already here. Keith really provides a gorgeous bridge to a typically smooth and mesmerizing 1972 version. Must-hear.
They Love Each Other
June 9, 1976
Boston Music Hall

All about Keith...check his gorgeous flowing lines that make this one so silky smooth.
Not Fade Away
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

From one of the all-time greatest shows ever played and my personal #1 favorite. Killer Stephen precedes it...Black Peter...Sugar Mag--all stellar.
Dark Star
Sept. 21, 1972
The Spectrum

Can't believe I only just experienced this. Garcia concocts an MLB while making his electric guitar sound like a bluegrass banjo in the final stanza and leads the rest of the gang on an exploration of improv jamming that must be heard to be believed. Rest of the half hour masterpiece aint too shabby either. Jazzy, mellow, but hard-driving in places...not too much dissonant noise distortion..but that final fury of bluegrass-infused jazz improv leading into AM Dew puts this one into legendary territory.