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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+24543


Submissions

49
Jack Straw
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

There are longer versions, but none has a better bridge jam than this one. My favorite version ever--must listen!
88
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Feb. 24, 1974
Winterland Arena

Hard-charging drumming from Billy leads the way. Best MLB jam in this pairing I've ever heard. Hard to believe it wasn't listed yet.
37
Cassidy
Oct. 12, 1983
Madison Square Garden

Intense build-up jam, perfect touch-down. Weir absolutely nails it. My favorite version all-time
21
Shakedown Street
Jan. 10, 1979
Nassau Coliseum

Laser-focused, perfect rendition, start to finish. Super-funky with awesome Jerry fuzz-guitar, rock-blues jamming post-vocals
12
Candyman
March 24, 1988
Omni Coliseum

Lucky enough to be at this show. Candyman blew everyone away--best song played that night. Awesome trippy guitar jam &Jer belts out vocals

Comments

Row Jimmy
April 12, 1978
Cameron Indoor Stadium

Needs more votes. There is no other version in which the band collectively takes the 2nd bridge jam into such frenzied yet controlled jamming. 3-20-77 is probably the only one that beats it. Must-hear.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Nov. 1, 1979
Nassau Coliseum

This can be found on Dicks Picks #13 as a hidden track...very interesting transition jam--while it doesn't build to the crescendo that many others do, it gets into very spacey, Brent-led elements that are pretty mesmerizing. Unique version, if not a "best", certainly worth exploring.
Aiko Aiko
Sept. 14, 1982
University of Virginia

Jerry's lead on the intro, a relaxed but focused 2-minute groove makes this IKO one of the best I've ever heard. Very different from the more speeded-up late 80's versions--more relaxed--but not as slow and somewhat plodding as were the first few late 70's versions. Nice meld of the 2 styles.
Stella Blue
March 21, 1994
Richfield Coliseum

I just got schooled that not everything in '94/'95 sucked. Best damn version of Stella I've ever heard. Thanks for setting me straight.
Loser
July 22, 1984
Ventura County Fairgrounds

Jam into final verse is rivaled only by 3-24-90. This and that version are neck and neck.