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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

10
Black Peter
Sept. 25, 1981
Stabler Arena

After 10/29/77 this should be your go-to BP. Emotion oozes and Jer shreds the outro.
11
Beat it on Down The Line
March 22, 1990
Copps Coliseum

A breezy bouncin' bubbly Bobby Beat it...best of the 90's.
8
El Paso
March 27, 1972
Academy of Music

Jerry in serious bluegrass mode. Most country-westernized version ever. At the end Phil sez "Thanks, Texans" even tho' they're in NYC. Awesome version
23
Let It Grow
Sept. 19, 1990
Madison Square Garden

Hornsby gets on board in a big way & Jerry jazzes up the jam sections. Weir slashes away & sings w/passion. Strong candidate for Best of the 90's.
4
Desolation Row
April 17, 1987
Irvine Meadows

This song was only as good as Bobby was committed to it, and on this night he was 100% in Dylan-idoling mode. Gorgeous rendeition, lovingly sung.

Comments

Dark Star
March 28, 1969
Student Center

The more you dig into '69 stars the more you discover. Another version marked mostly by a combination of jazz/psychedelia jams and a rave-up ending on this one. Good upgraded CM version available and worth seeking out,
Dark Star
April 20, 1969
Clark University

This is fan-freaking-tastic. Has an almost indescribable different "feel" to Dark Stars of this era especially. Deep, dark, flowing jams that go everywhere at once. Love it. Why have I never known of this version previously? Check it. +1
Terrapin Station
July 27, 1982
Red Rocks Ampitheatre

Superior version needing more votes & attention. Brent forgoes the "Fisher-Price" tinkly effects for a more straight-ahead piano sound and the results are beautiful, jazzy interplay on the post-lyrics jam, leading to several outro themes explored with Mickey & Billy. This version is mellower than many they would play in the '85-'88 years...Jerry doesn't go with the hard grunge riffs you'd hear in those years but instead the whole band gets into a more colorful jazz mood, short of the Midi effects that would mark the 90's versions. The preceding lyrical sections are done with grace and precision and the overall effect is of a Terrapin that tells its story with quiet and lovely confidence, followed by a very musically interesting outro section. Try it & see if you agree it needs a higher place on the big board.
Brown Eyed Women
Aug. 24, 1980
Grand Center

Confirmed awesome. Rivals some of the best of '77 (11/4 included). Jam into the aforementioned Delilah Jones line goes 'round for an extra 2 or 3 runs and Jerry just crushes it. Top notch BEW probably not higher on the list due only to no SBD recording but the AUD available is really really good. This is a Top 3 version if not #1. For real.
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
Oct. 1, 1976
Market Square Arena

Gotta up this. Seek out the Miller recording and settle in for a superior reading of all 3 tunes. The Slipknot gets smoky-slinky and spacey and then comes around for a perfect drop-in to Franklin's and damn, this is absolutely a Top 3 all-time Franklin's--no joke. The Help to start is spot-on as well. This late in '76 you're practically into the glory that would be '77 so it should come as no surprise that these fall versions are so good. Listen and you'll want to push this up the ladder for sure.