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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

7
Greatest Story Ever Told
March 14, 1981
Hartford Civic Center

Best of the 80's or 90's, hands down. Picture perfect rendition: Vocals, jam fills, & finish.
6
The Other One
April 16, 1984
Community War Memorial Auditorium

Short but raging. Look beyond the length & enjoy for the fire within. Jerry attacks this from the get-go & it's awesome.
2
Truckin'
Dec. 12, 1993
San Diego Sports Arena

Anybody else hear a very distinctive riff of Steely Dan's "Black Friday" in the intro?
5
Sugar Magnolia
April 8, 1978
Veterans Memorial Coliseum

Just listen & you will believe. End jam before SSDD is a tidal wave of sound & power & beauty. A true must hear.
7
Darkness Jam
June 6, 1970
Fillmore West

Just one jam theme among many. this should be called "Kitchen Sink" jam. Has so much & all so good

Comments

Hard to Handle
Aug. 6, 1971
Hollywood Palladium

Get the Matrix. Dang.
Stella Blue
April 21, 1978
Rupp Arena

Thanks, Patch. Good to see it up there leading the pack. I really believe that's the best version...certainly as far as instrumental beauty and ferocity. This one here's pretty good too, but 10/21/78 is in a class by itself.
Feel Like A Stranger
July 17, 1989
Alpine Valley Music Theatre

Since I was lucky enough to be there I should do the right thing and bump this up the ladder even more. Phenomenal 3-day run at Alpine. So many great tunes featuring a revived Jerry. Bobby & Brent own this one, though.
Not Fade Away
Nov. 2, 1979
Nassau Coliseum

Start your New Year (1/1/15) as I write this off on the right foot w/perhaps the most unique NFA I've ever heard. The intro sounds almost like "Don't Let Go" rather than NFA but everyone in the band is in on it and in the pocket. As Klaussmith notes the following jams are ripping and intriguing in a way that just feels different than most any version you'll hear from any era, and it just cooks all the way thru. Top 10 version, all-time.
Shakedown Street
Dec. 28, 1978
Golden Hall, Community Concourse

This has got to go higher on the list. About as tight and focused and fun as you will ever hear. Check out the jam after the 2nd verse. Get on this version now and bump... it... UP!