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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+23519


Submissions

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!
45
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
28
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.
13
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.
35
Promised Land
Sept. 18, 1990
Madison Square Garden

New #1 version--all time best. This is a stretched-out jam-fest for a song usually given the quick-off. Killer fills from Hornsby. MUST HEAR!

Comments

He's Gone
Oct. 28, 1977
Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Hall

Powerhouse outro jam and silky smooth mellow vocal coda preceding it...stellar version needing so many more votes
Greatest Story Ever Told
May 4, 1972
Olympia Theater

Freaking love what Keith does on this version & the rest of the band aint half bad either. Slower, funkier, groovier version that most of the speedballs of the era...needs some ups.
Dancin' in the Streets
April 27, 1985
Frost Amphitheatre

Garcia's long slinky solo on this waaaay underrated version harkens back to some of the pickin' he did on the tune in the heydey of 1970, no joke. I like Brent's harmonies better here too altho' take a point off if you like for Bobby's oddly less than energetic lead vocal--not terrible by any means but as an opener it coulda been a bit peppier. Nitpicking really tho'...this is a fine rendition especially for the era and should go higher w/the new Dap49 release
Truckin'
July 5, 1978
Omaha Civic Auditorium

just some grind it down funky grunge jamming by Jerry on the outro--Bobby throws down some nice rhythm too--sleeper pick on the board at below 20 votes when i got here
Brother Esau
April 14, 1984
Hampton Coliseum

Dirty slinky funky filthy.