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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

Black Peter
June 26, 1973
Seattle Center Coliseum

Great call here. What this version lacks in big meaty outro jam (head to ‘77 for that) it makes up for in passionate vocals and perfect blues delivery. Upgrade worthy and yeah the box set sounds amazing.
Bertha
May 26, 1977
Baltimore Civic Center

This might be THE most grossly underrated version of any tune on this site. It blows the doors off nearly every version above it (with a handful of exceptions, maybe fewer) in every facet of the game--from vocals to overall jamming to Garcia's mid-tune solo. This entire show gets overlooked (Eyes, NFA, GTRFB, hell--the whole thing!) but this is the worst snub of the bunch.
The Mighty Quinn (Quinn The Eskimo)
Oct. 5, 1994
The Spectrum

Always thought the debut version was best but I’m rethinking that after hearing this one. Like this entire show (a gem for the year hiding in plain sight behind the far more celebrated Boston Garden show 4 nights earlier) you’ll find Jerry in fine vocal form and playing tight tight tight to this excellent encore. He even growls out one of the final lines. Come on without/Come on within...
Big River
May 17, 1974
P.N.E. Coliseum

Give it up for Billy keeping pace with Jerry, too. Right old '74 barn burner.
Casey Jones
June 22, 1973
Pacific Coliseum

The band somehow achieves mellow hotness on this one.