Sometimes shorter is better. At around 10 mins. this beauty from E'72 packs the jazz, jam, passion. Like a more intense version of the one on ACE!

No clean SBD on archive but at official Dead site a pristine version was on 30 days of Dead for DL. 2d best stand-alone I've heard next to 3-20-77

DP Vol. 29...Each time I think I've heard the best (i.e. 12/27/77) I hear one better. This is it. Flowing, gorgeous Jerry bridge jam. Perfection.

Proves the boys could really swing when they wanted to. Hear Jerry on "The Girl I Love" line; like 'Gator Alley--1980 a good year for this tune

Insane. Ridiculous. Drummers locked in, Garcia in take-no-prisoners mode. 16+ minutes of full-bore Rock to the G-D Roll.

A fair point, re: being there. I was not, and I'm just going by what I'm hearing here, but I do think that when recommending "best of" versions we should all make an effort to be as objective as possible. As an example, I posted the March '86 "Box" as a heady version but made sure to say that objectively speaking it's really not a great version at all, but being there, as I was, and the crowd reaction to the break-out, makes it worthy for only that reason. I am not doubting anyone who was there that seeing this must have been an awesome experience, but if you were to recommend a version of Iko to someone out of the blue as a "here's the best Iko you can find", there's no way if you're honest this version can qualify, and yet here it stands in first place. I guess that annoys me, but hey, differing opinions is part of what makes this site so much fun.

I don't know, folks. #1 slot? Seriously? Look, I'm not trying to be a contrarian & there's some stuff here to like, i.e. yes, Jerry's having fun & the vocals--for 1995 anyway--are OK. But what's really so great here? The jamming is pretty one note, never really hits any peaks, & look, I just can't stand the MIDI...it's like what a computer thinks a horn is supposed to sound like, and it completely covers up any personal tone of Jerry's guitar in favor of a synthesized, non-nuanced monotone of notes. I'm not saying this is a "worst ever" version by a long shot...it's OK compared w/some others, but if you want a fast. rocking, full-throated New Orleans type of version, why not check out any of the ones they did with the Neville Brothers? In fact, try 12/31/87 which is sitting currently at one sad little vote but kicks this version in the teeth just for fun. Some of the late 70's versions are also way better than this, even if they're of a slower tempo and maybe that's apples and oranges, but how about some of the early 80s versions that wind up slowly out of space and have a better groove than this version ever could. I wouldn't be ranting like this if this were somewhere in the middle of the pack on voting but #1? Just. Not. Worthy.

From a great show that would be more talked about if a better source existed. Many strong Altheas in '81 (also see 5/1/81 and 3/14/81) and this one certainly fits the bill. This is a terrifically long show w/many great versions (S>F, Black Peter, Sugar Mag sandwich, Wheel).

Quite possibly the best-ever KEITH version. seriously. His contributions here are every bit as stunning as Jerry's or anyone else. Starts with a lovely little section just after the first two verses and then as the jam breaks get more intense there's Keith driving the train out in front with repeated syncopated chords of glory, psychedelic and rockin' all at once in a steady determined jam. Great version, and one of Mr.Godchaux's finest moments.

Glad you checked it out & dug it DarkStar67...hopefully your kudos will encourage "other ones" (sorry) to give it a try as well!