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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+23524


Submissions

78
Jack Straw
Oct. 20, 1984
Carrier Dome, Syracuse U

Crazy hard driving insanisty to end the first set. One of those jam segments that builds and builds and KABOOMS into final verse. Phil fans: a must
15
Stella Blue
April 19, 1982
Baltimore Civic Center

Sweet & melty....gorgeous harmonies from Brent.
81
Sugaree
Oct. 16, 1977
Louisiana State U

1977 was a helluva year for this song. I have no quarrel w/ 5/5, 5/19, or 5/21, but I think this one beats 'em all by a nose!
50
St. Stephen
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

With all due rfespect to Barton Hall & others, this is the best version out there (IMO). Bluesy, rockin', jammin', just exactly perfect
29
Candyman
Dec. 15, 1986
Oakland Coliseum Arena

Must hear b/c it's Jerry's first show back after the coma...crowd goes INSANE on "won't you tell everybody you meet that the Candyman's in town!"

Comments

Eyes Of The World
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

^So glad you noticed and commented on the cut in first jam bc even on the official release it’s a gross disservice. I used some software editing to restore the lost section (about 40 seconds worth) but even with the AUD patch it’s totally worth it
Jack Straw
Oct. 15, 1984
Civic Center

^^^^Dang you ain’t kidding! Garcia doing some serious lightning picking in the big jam section & the drumming is just insane. May be even better than Syracuse. Source provided is ok but could be better....haven’t searched yet but if you know of a better sounding board do let me know. Excellent rec, I may have to dig into second set as well, as I’m not familiar with this show.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
April 16, 1978
Huntington Civic Center

Should have upped this long ago. Such a vibrant, tight, bouncy Scarlet & a mellow, beautiful bridge to a confident Fire with Jerry in fine vocal form. One of the all time great Betty Boards taboot. Always happy to come back to this classic & really when you look at the list, this one should be sitting higher.
Mississippi Halfstep Uptown Toodeloo
May 26, 1973
Kezar Stadium

May have to go back & upvote almost every track from this A+ show that now sounds more amazing than ever: https://archive.org/details/gd1973-05-26.150710.SBD.BettyBoard.Anon.Noel.fixed.t-flac16/gd73-05-26.s3t07.flac seriously, this is no ordinary upgrade. Run, don't walk.
Estimated Prophet
March 30, 1980
Capitol Theatre

Put another way: best version you've never heard