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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+24543


Submissions

130
Wharf Rat
Oct. 7, 1977
University of New Mexico

Most pristine version I've ever heard. So smooth, so clear. Keith leads the way, Jerry brings it home. . Essential for all Wharf Rat fans
18
Aiko Aiko
Aug. 10, 1982
Iowa Fieldhouse - University of Iowa

Another kick-ass version out of Space...not as long&rising a wind-up as the 9-14-82 tripiness), but raucous, fun & full of N'awlins cajun rock!
36
Cold Rain and Snow
Oct. 12, 1983
Madison Square Garden

Powerhouse. Garcia belts out vocals. Hear amazing riff of added notes in the main theme instrumental sections.Drums pound away as well.
7
Brown Eyed Women
Nov. 29, 1979
Cleveland Public Hall

Jerry commits strong vocals to this rendition--he's into it big time...& Brent adds great accompaniment. Very strong Garcia bridge jam as well.
118
Cumberland Blues
April 8, 1972
Wembley Empire Pool

They could actually hit the high notes in '72, and the jams? Goodness gracious--this one just rips a hole in the space/time continuum!

Comments

Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Nov. 2, 1977
Field House - Seneca College

Back to give this one some more promo and a truly much-needed bump in the rankings (I hope). The jam into Fire is a preview of the kind of extended jamming that became common in the April of '78 versions (see 4/8/78, 4/24/78 for just 2) that feature building levels of Jerry-led leads with the band adding color and flourish in time, the layers all swirling together as they rise and spill out onto an open meadow where suddenly we hear Keith in the clear driving the main "Fire" theme on piano, while the rest of the band lays back and lets the beautiful keys establish the mood before joining in...the "Fire" that follows is shorter than many but also so much more focused than others that do tend to meander a bit...every note seems infused with meaning as Jerry rips confident solos and Phil et al keep the backbeat grooving along. Jerry's finale after the 2nd verse is just exactly perfect and we touch down into the reprised Scarlet theme like the smoothest of runway landings. This is a stellar '77 precision version of the combo with many hints of the broader, more daring explorations of 1978 thrown in for good measure. It's worth getting Dap12 just to hear this and I hope sincerely to see it get at least into double digits here. I now cede the soapbox. Thanks for listening ;-)
The Other One
April 12, 1982
Nassau Coliseum

Great example of the band having fun, Bobby realizing he sang verse 2 b4 verse 1 and making sure he gets it right. But this version is good from the get-go and musically suffers not at all from bobby's brain freeze....rippin' good version from an underrated Nassau show.
Dark Star
July 13, 1984
Greek Theatre, U. Of California

Couldn't think of a reason not to have upvoted this already other than that I wasn't there and was jealous. Great post-70's version, bright improv throughout, and an encore at the Greek? Lucky SOBs that were there.
Brown Eyed Women
Aug. 24, 1980
Grand Center

This simply needs more votes. No way can it be sitting anywhere under double digits. Just listen. The post 2nd verse jam alone vaults this into all-time territory and Jerry's "Delilah Jones" growl is too good for words. The AUD should not stop you-this is a GREAT version and an absolute sleeper at just 4 votes as of this comment.
Row Jimmy
Jan. 1, 1965
Rich Stadium

The last I'll say about this for now is that the best hope for this site remaining as fun and useful as it's been is the comments section for songs already nominated. Rather than trying to wedge in a song that hasn't been put up yet (probably, but not always, I know) for good reason, why not listen to some of the versions that have that mid-range # of votes and could use some advocacy for being rated higher? That's what I gravitate more towards now anyway. And without the character limit on first-time nominated songs the comments area allows someone to explain in detail why they like or don't like that particular version. That's useful! In fact, I'm going to head over right now and add my comments again (in addition to ones I've already made) on why the Brown-Eyed Women from 8/24/80 should be rated way higher than it is now. When I see knowledgeable posters advocating passionately in the comments section for a certain version it's normally a good bet that it's worth a listen and an upvote. I've been turned on to some very good renditions of tunes I otherwise would have missed that way.