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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

Spanish Jam
July 19, 1974
Selland Arena

It's a good one, very deep and dark and driving, and absolutely melts into a pretty terrific Eyes.
Scarlet Begonias
July 19, 1974
Selland Arena

This and a sublime Spanish Jam>Eyes are really the only reasons to shell out bucks for the Dave's Picks release of this show, which is really a huge disappointment...also Exhibit A of why I would never pony up for the annual subscription release for a year (not knowing what you're gonna get.) Most of this Selland show is inexplicably overrated and features mostly sloppy play, blown lyrics, and a tinny '74 WOS reproduction. That said, this particular Scarlet stand alone is aces, and unique among any ever played. The tone and riff Garcia lights into (as noted by others) near the 5-minute mark has never been done in any other version ever and is a remarkable hard-rock killer solo that then morphs nicely back into a more familiar Scarlet groove. They nail the rejoin coda as well and for a 1974 version it may very well be the best ever.
Dark Star
Oct. 26, 1989
Miami Arena

Gack. This one is just stupid. And no, I don't mean "stupid good", just pure stupid. Probably killed a few manatees down in Florida playing this screechfest of annoying nonsensical cacophony with absolutely zero sense of musicality. Wouldn't care so much except this is the show they chose to represent 1989 on the "Circles" boxed set; that's a crying shame and a waste of space.
Aiko Aiko
April 11, 1978
Fox Theatre

Perfect Crescent City groove, Jerry having fun growling out lyrics, whole band in tow...unlike many other versions from this era it ends on a final down beat before charging into a SugarMag...+1 (Big) Easy!
Stella Blue
April 19, 1982
Baltimore Civic Center

^^^^ My top 5 shows for '82 would be this one, 4/6/82, 9/11/82, 4/3/82, and the reigning champ 10/10/82. Will def. check out that HG from 10/28/77...there's much from that show I already love (the Casey Jones is a beast) but it's been a while since I really sat down and listened to that whole 2d set.