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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+23524


Submissions

10
Beat it on Down The Line
March 22, 1990
Copps Coliseum

A breezy bouncin' bubbly Bobby Beat it...best of the 90's.
8
El Paso
March 27, 1972
Academy of Music

Jerry in serious bluegrass mode. Most country-westernized version ever. At the end Phil sez "Thanks, Texans" even tho' they're in NYC. Awesome version
22
Let It Grow
Sept. 19, 1990
Madison Square Garden

Hornsby gets on board in a big way & Jerry jazzes up the jam sections. Weir slashes away & sings w/passion. Strong candidate for Best of the 90's.
3
Desolation Row
April 17, 1987
Irvine Meadows

This song was only as good as Bobby was committed to it, and on this night he was 100% in Dylan-idoling mode. Gorgeous rendeition, lovingly sung.
9
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
May 13, 1977
Auditorium Theatre

Almost beyond description. The last full jam leading into the GDTR chorus is a perfect storm example of what made the Dead magic

Comments

He's Gone
Sept. 3, 1972
Folsom Field, University of Colorado

The sustained Jerry guitar ring echo into TOO is insane. Brilliant. Also, props for Jerry blowing the line for "dogs in a pile" first time around, but deftly subbing in a repeat of "like I told ya" instead, but THEN, he makes up for it by bringing back the "dogs in a pile/nothing left to do but smile smile smile" line later on! A rare lyrical backpedal and save by Jerry, much better than his usual mumble-jumble when he messes up a lyric!
They Love Each Other
April 19, 1982
Baltimore Civic Center

Check out near the end when Jerry goes full- on Dylan singing "better not be there when it rolls oh-vaaah". Whole version is a byoot.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
May 7, 1972
Bickershaw Festival

I tend to lump all the E72 versions of ChinaRider together & that's my bad b/c this version has a stand-out feel to it, most notably with Phil in total beast mode & just driving the whole train start to finish. Great jamming in the transition as expected, but I'm disappointed to see this just barely into double digits. Outstanding rendition that should break from the pack at some point.
He's Gone
Nov. 22, 1972
Austin Municipal Auditorium

Late to the upvote but very deserving version here that could use a lot more love. Whole show seems underrated but if you check out even one tune from this show it oughta be this
He's Gone
Oct. 19, 1974
Winterland Arena

Oh I checked that out recently based on your rec in another thread. Fantastic mellow version with a great vocal section!