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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+23524


Submissions

6
Sugar Magnolia
Sept. 25, 1981
Stabler Arena

Incredible Sugary-Mag Club sandwich: Sugar>BlackPeter>Round&Round>SSDD. Energy off the charts, and the SSDD starts spot-on the downbeat from R&R
12
Big River
July 31, 1974
Dillon Stadium

Scorcher start to finish. Keith comes up big, and Jerry goes ballistic in the final instrumental bridge. Check it out on Dave's Pix Vol. 2
40
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
June 19, 1976
Capitol Theatre

Just when you think you've heard 'em all...Peppy&Zippy yet tight HELP >groovy-spacedout Slip>killer jumping-Jerry-led Franklins. Must Hear!
42
Estimated Prophet
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

From the show that never stops giving--a spacey-jazzy-goeey-Wah-Wah-chunk-fest-of-Jerry.
23
Jack Straw
May 10, 1978
Veterans' Memorial Coliseum

From DP 25, Opens show at New Haven. Takes no prisoners. Extra shot of Jerry heading in bridge jam. Kinda surprised it's not on a list of 90+ Straws

Comments

He's Gone
Oct. 19, 1974
Winterland Arena

double digits already please. Neglected I can only guess b/c of so many excellent versions in the '72-'74 era but this needs to be heard some more.
Morning Dew
Oct. 18, 1974
Winterland Arena

Whew. Move over Barton, & if not for the pure raw emotional old man Jerry voice power of 10/12//84 this would easily be my favorite. Technically speaking, this one is really the best. Jerry never sang it more beautifully, & unlike nearly every great version I can think of, the best guitar moment here is not in the big final coda, but in the jam following the "young man" section, a perfect blend of power & purpose & passion. What an amazing Dew. Again, if not for the raw emotional tsunami of 10/12/84 this would be my hands down favorite.
Black Throated Wind
June 23, 1974
Jai-Alai Fronton

Adding to the accolades for this excellent rendition w/Billy the true star as many have pointed out. This sounds better than ever as a DaP
Shakedown Street
March 18, 1990
Civic Center

total sleeper pick here, one of the best of the 90s for sure with ripping riffs & back up vox from Brent & great voice from Jerry as well. Faster paced jam again anchored by Brent. Really nice choice & surprisingly under the radar based on the mere 10 votes when I added mine.
Estimated Prophet
May 5, 1978
Thompson Arena - Dartmouth College

Get outta here that Garcia solo into the first jam break. This whole show is bonkers good & gets somehow overlooked but nothing in it is more under-appreciated than this stupendous EP. Better than many others currently sitting above.