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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+24543


Submissions

4
Ramble On Rose
Dec. 30, 1977
Winterland Arena

Faster than usual tempo with just a brilliant Jerry bridge jam and no missed lyrics make this one a not-to-be-missed version.
14
The Other One
May 18, 1977
Fox Theatre

Not sure why everyone ignores '77 versions, but you're missing out if you haven't heard this one. Power packed Jerry-led fury.
4
Spanish Jam
May 21, 1995
Sam Boyd Silver Bowl

In the band's worst year they somehow came up with a really short but spot-on SJ that emerges nicely out of space. Ignore the date-check out the tune.
4
It Must Have Been The Roses
March 13, 1981
Utica Coliseum

Seek out the SBD (unknown lineage) then bask in what's possibly the best-sung, most heartfelt & lovely "Roses" ever.
54
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
May 11, 1977
St. Paul Civic Center Arena

It's criminal that this hasn't made the list yet. Like super-smooth '77 versions? You MUST hear this.

Comments

Bird Song
Oct. 17, 1983
Olympic Center

This has a sparkling jam segment that builds and peaks & before going back into the final verse settles into a mellow-spacey mini jam reminiscent of the gentle space touches of 6/22/73. Overlooked version as cgarces said b/c of the Sugaree from the same show. Should stand on its own merits tho'.
Alligator
June 6, 1970
Fillmore West

Exactly what ERA said--this should be labeled Kitchen Sink jam for everything it's got going on. I also just submitted this one under "Darkness Jam" which it definitely has, but that's just one amazing nugget among many. I'd put this jam segment up against any they did in any era--it's that good. Top 5 Jam segment all time at the very least.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Nov. 2, 1977
Field House - Seneca College

@cgarces this one's growing on me even more now that DaP 12 is out...sound quality is stellar. I don't mind the shortness of the "Fire"...sometimes Fires go on a bit long for my taste (unless they are of an elite category & then I'm all for stretching out as long as possible!) The Candyman, Ramble, and much more from this show are really special.
Big River
Nov. 2, 1977
Field House - Seneca College

Ohhhhhh yes. Take a listen to the new DaP 12 and you'll bump this toot sweet.
Werewolves of London
July 8, 1978
Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Writing this on Halloween w/a nod to the version they were all more "into" live than any other. Love Donna's call and response w/Jerry on the final verse w/the werewolf drinking a pina colada at Trader Vic's. Priceless.