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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+23529


Submissions

6
Sugar Magnolia
Sept. 25, 1981
Stabler Arena

Incredible Sugary-Mag Club sandwich: Sugar>BlackPeter>Round&Round>SSDD. Energy off the charts, and the SSDD starts spot-on the downbeat from R&R
12
Big River
July 31, 1974
Dillon Stadium

Scorcher start to finish. Keith comes up big, and Jerry goes ballistic in the final instrumental bridge. Check it out on Dave's Pix Vol. 2
40
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
June 19, 1976
Capitol Theatre

Just when you think you've heard 'em all...Peppy&Zippy yet tight HELP >groovy-spacedout Slip>killer jumping-Jerry-led Franklins. Must Hear!
42
Estimated Prophet
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

From the show that never stops giving--a spacey-jazzy-goeey-Wah-Wah-chunk-fest-of-Jerry.
23
Jack Straw
May 10, 1978
Veterans' Memorial Coliseum

From DP 25, Opens show at New Haven. Takes no prisoners. Extra shot of Jerry heading in bridge jam. Kinda surprised it's not on a list of 90+ Straws

Comments

Here Comes Sunshine
March 24, 1973
The Spectrum

^^^^Agreed. Tight, energetic and better sung than most.
Playin' In The Band
March 24, 1973
The Spectrum

Twirler's paradise. No dissonance or melt-down madness here, just corkscrew wah-wah Jerry jazz lines surrounded by really innovative Weir-led rhythm sections...a complete band mind-meld of swirling colors and ideas and a sweet re-entry to the reprise. Just outstanding and seriously under-rated on the Big Board. Hoping that will change with more ears on the new DaP.
St. Stephen
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

^^^^I know! Still freaking out about it...an official release of my favorite all time show!
Cassidy
May 21, 1977
Lakeland Civic Center

The '77 versions are so consistent (in the best way) that they tend to blend together and get taken for granted, which is a shame, because versions like this one are like little diamond dew droplets among the rain forest of bigger suites. What's especially good about this version is the vocal fluidity and blending between Bob & Donna and a Garcia jam break before the return that is brief in comparison to the versions that would emerge in years to follow, but contains multitudes within its own time frame that make it every bit as vast, mysterious, and wondrous as its lengthier companions. Glad to finally bump this into double digits. Should be higher.
Playin' In The Band
Dec. 3, 1979
Uptown Theatre

oops. sorry for the dub post