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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

12
Candyman
March 24, 1988
Omni Coliseum

Lucky enough to be at this show. Candyman blew everyone away--best song played that night. Awesome trippy guitar jam &Jer belts out vocals
42
Ramble On Rose
May 19, 1977
Fox Theatre

Gorgeous, incredible, up and down, carnival-like bridge jam by Jerry. Picture perfect version--no flaws
43
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
April 8, 1978
Veterans Memorial Coliseum

April '78 S>F's often mentioned are 4/16 and 4/24 (rightly so) but this one is every bit as good. Superior transition jam--, beautiful, & powerful
94
Eyes Of The World
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

Starts out Jazzy, explorative, takes its time, 3 minute intro, then blasts off into the stratosphere with intense Garcia-led jamming

Comments

Not Fade Away
June 19, 1976
Capitol Theatre

Encore version from a grossly overlooked '76 masterpiece of a show. Phil and the drummers take no prisoners.
Scarlet Begonias
Sept. 18, 1974
Parc des Expositions

Time I upvoted this & could go through most of the show doing so, one of my top 3 faves of 1974. Just a real crisp standalone here, not ultra-expanded but with a great burst of energy from Garcia in the heart of the jam.
Cassidy
April 19, 1987
Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre

Underrated version & show.
Playin' In The Band
March 22, 1972
Academy of Music

This is a gem that may have gone unnoticed for a long time for lack of a quality SBD but there's a Charlie Miller reworking that brings this forth in all its brilliance. As stated this one has that "Ace" album feel to it but it's expanded well beyond that thanks to Jerry who decides to keep the space vibe going well after Bob & the rest of the band appear headed into the reprise. Bob clearly starts playing it about 7 mins. in and Jer's having none of it. Soon the rest of the band is following Jerry back into the jam and going all in before they all have a meeting of the minds about 5 minutes later and bring home the rejoin as a flawless thing of beauty. This one is going directly into high rotation and is an easy +1.
Stella Blue
March 24, 1990
Knickerbocker Arena

Thanks to Darkstar67 for recommending the Dusborne Matrix. Haven’t listened to Dozin in a while and should have upped this previously. Just took it for granted I guess but the matrix brings it alive in a new way...coolest thing is you can hear how quiet the crowd goes, totally absorbed in Jerry’s beautiful reading. You miss that crowd feel on the official release. Top 3 all time version.