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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+24543


Submissions

52
Dark Star
Dec. 31, 1978
Winterland Arena

Farewell to Winterland; Not 40 mins. long ; no break down into feedback nonsense. Just sweet jazzy jamming; Just exactly perfect send off.
10
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Sept. 25, 1981
Stabler Arena

Transition jam weaves into spaces most fail to go; touch-down into Fire is GOLD. Jerry flubs first line in Fire-after that: 1 of the BEST ever!
19
He's Gone
Sept. 26, 1972
Stanley Theatre

Perfect, self-contained, blues-infused, stellar vocals, 14+ minutes of bliss. Extra fun: Check out the "Birdsong" riff about 10 secs. into the intro
36
Dark Star
Sept. 16, 1972
Boston Music Hall

Amazed this isn't here yet Gorgeous, melodic, jazz-infused, mellow, trippy, spacey into hard ripping Jerry riffs; melts into Brokedown Palace. Sublime
48
Cold Rain and Snow
Oct. 12, 1984
Augusta Civic Center

Kicks off with authority a 2d set every DeadHead needs to hear. Perfect bookend to Jerry's scorching Dew. They say it was cold&rainy that nite in ME.

Comments

Bertha
March 27, 1993
Knickerbocker Arena

Not bad for a '93. Pretty good overall in fact, mellowish version, but tight.
Cold Rain and Snow
Oct. 12, 1984
Augusta Civic Center

Even though I submitted this one I agree with Donnie--it does NOT deserve to be #1 on this list. It's good, but not #1 good. The one I actually think belongs in the number one slot is another I submitted further down on this list: 10/12/83 at MSG, which I have no problem calling the best--being most powerful both vocally and in terms of raw instrumental gusto.
Sugaree
April 7, 1991
Orlando Arena

Never thought I'd find a Sugaree this good in 1991. Great jamming in between verses (nothing that rivals the monster '77 jams but excellent nonetheless especially for this era) and more varied contributions from the rest of the gang to fill out the edges. Great vocals from Jerry as well and no lyrical flubs, again perhaps a bit surprising given the year.
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
Aug. 13, 1975
Great American Music Hall

Yes, this needs more ups. It's uber rock n roll Jerry & the only reason I hadn't bumped it before is because I unfairly rate every version against the numero supremo (IMO) of 6/8/77 and while this doesn't rise to that level it's still damn good. +1
Eyes Of The World
Nov. 25, 1973
Feyline Field

Yeah, I'm jumping on board with this one, too. I've always loved this show but took it for granted that this EYES would already be widespread and known and seeing it still in the single digits made me realize I had to vote up. Great lengthy jazzy Jerry runs in between verses and some great workout of the outro material, and melding straight into WX Report. This is a great version even in a year chock full of them.