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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

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

They Love Each Other
May 21, 1977
Lakeland Civic Center

yes yes YES!!!!
Brown Eyed Women
Dec. 27, 1977
Winterland Arena

No might about it. How this one escaped my attention before I have no idea. Extended jam by Jerry, impassioned lyrics. This one has it all. Same show contains possibly the best ever "Peggy-O", but I digress ;-)
Here Comes Sunshine
Feb. 23, 1974
Winterland Arena

Had to bump this one into the lead after hearing it for the first time. The '73 versions noted below are all excellent but this goes beyond in terms of jam tightness and sense of purpose. Check out the picture perfect piano flourish by Keith heading back into one of the main theme reprises.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Sept. 2, 1978
Giants Stadium

Funny--I just ASSUMED this was already here! Indeed a stellar version and reportedly Dick Latvala's favorite all-time. It's arguably the most intense of the "Scarlets" in this pairing ever, and the jamming on both tunes is very tilted to the rock n roll side of the ledger. Certainly belongs on a Top 10 list of all-time versions, even if you prefer some of the more "silky" 1977 versions (as I do.)
New Minglewood Blues
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

...as is the whole show. Check out every tune.