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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+23524


Submissions

25
Althea
May 6, 1980
Rec Hall, Penn State U

Recent Road Trips release is a perfecto: Outstanding vocals from Jerry and a jam after the lyrics that grooves and rocks super-hard. 5-star version!
45
Deep Elem Blues
May 2, 1970
Harpur College

Jerry's voice just exactly bluesy perfect...groovy & slow acoustic cadence & the boys harmonizing sweetly on the chrouses. Outstanding early version
28
Box of Rain
March 20, 1986
Hampton Coliseum

A+ for the crowd alone. Are there better ones? Of course. But I was there & the ecstacy after 14 years of no Box makes this version legendary.
13
Mississippi Halfstep Uptown Toodeloo
Sept. 18, 1990
Madison Square Garden

Astonishingly strong Jerry vocals, especially given the year, and some of the prettiest Hornsby-led fills make this one a real great sleeper pick.
35
Promised Land
Sept. 18, 1990
Madison Square Garden

New #1 version--all time best. This is a stretched-out jam-fest for a song usually given the quick-off. Killer fills from Hornsby. MUST HEAR!

Comments

Space
Oct. 12, 1984
Augusta Civic Center

Hard to believe this is where it is on the board but then again “space” gets overlooked in general (guilty of that myself) but this a space to actually listen to and not be bored or turned off by cacophony for its own sake. Plus it’s integral to the set itself with the elements of PITB & UJB weaved in & out & ultimately into an all time Dew. Great rhythm devils here & a spooky but beautiful tone. Up it.
China Doll
Oct. 14, 1980
Warfield Theater

^^^^^that’s exactly why. Appreciate nailing down the date this one is still my fave over every electric.
Eyes Of The World
Nov. 14, 1978
Boston Music Hall

^^^^i went back and gave this a hard listen knowing I’d love it bc of the year (can’t think of a “bad” version anywhere from 77-78 ) but I’ve overlooked this one due to the sound issues but the AUD isn’t terrible and worth fighting thru less than stellar reproduction to hear a really lovely rendition, and this is. Another sleeper Eyes that gets short shrift due to no SBD is 6/4/77 which is an awesome show in its own right in dire need of a clean SBD
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
May 23, 1982
Greek Theatre, U. Of California

agree with all the above comments but would add too that the transition into Fire is a thing of patient, colorful beauty...glides in slowly like a mind meld version before starting the fire theme on a dime. Very nice.
Uncle John's Band
July 15, 1984
Greek Theatre - University of California

Feels like finding a 20$ bill you forgot about in a side pocket of your jacket. Sweet as honey intro leads into a river flow version that’s light & airy on Brent’s twinkly keys, the first bridge jam is long & jazzy & the outro material gets down dirty jammy. Never would have stopped on this show for a great UJB & was more than pleasantly surprised.