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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

9
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
May 13, 1977
Auditorium Theatre

Almost beyond description. The last full jam leading into the GDTR chorus is a perfect storm example of what made the Dead magic
12
Brown Eyed Women
May 17, 1977
Memorial Coliseum

Gotta check out the "small" songs in legendary shows like this as well as the usual suspects! Check out Jerry's utterly perfect bridge jam & be in awe
22
Bird Song
Sept. 22, 1993
Madison Square Garden

If you don't know Saxophonist David Murray, here's a good way to find out how great he is. This is one stellar Birdsong that flew under the radar here
19
They Love Each Other
May 17, 1977
Memorial Coliseum

Is there anything prettier, sweeter or more sublimely lovely than Keith's piano in this version? You decide. This TLEO is incredible.
56
Sugaree
May 11, 1977
St. Paul Civic Center Arena

New #1 favorite. Slightly more compact than other amazing '77 versions & so a bit more focused. 2d Garcia solo has no equal.

Comments

They Love Each Other
May 21, 1977
Lakeland Civic Center

yes yes YES!!!!
Brown Eyed Women
Dec. 27, 1977
Winterland Arena

No might about it. How this one escaped my attention before I have no idea. Extended jam by Jerry, impassioned lyrics. This one has it all. Same show contains possibly the best ever "Peggy-O", but I digress ;-)
Here Comes Sunshine
Feb. 23, 1974
Winterland Arena

Had to bump this one into the lead after hearing it for the first time. The '73 versions noted below are all excellent but this goes beyond in terms of jam tightness and sense of purpose. Check out the picture perfect piano flourish by Keith heading back into one of the main theme reprises.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Sept. 2, 1978
Giants Stadium

Funny--I just ASSUMED this was already here! Indeed a stellar version and reportedly Dick Latvala's favorite all-time. It's arguably the most intense of the "Scarlets" in this pairing ever, and the jamming on both tunes is very tilted to the rock n roll side of the ledger. Certainly belongs on a Top 10 list of all-time versions, even if you prefer some of the more "silky" 1977 versions (as I do.)
New Minglewood Blues
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

...as is the whole show. Check out every tune.