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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

10
Black Peter
Sept. 25, 1981
Stabler Arena

After 10/29/77 this should be your go-to BP. Emotion oozes and Jer shreds the outro.
11
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
23
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.
4
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.

Comments

Jack Straw
April 22, 1979
Spartan Stadium - San Jose State University

^^^^Thanks all for the recs...have tried them all now & I think the matrix works best but even that suffers from too much high-endy sound...very treble heavy and other sources sound murky. Too bad b/c this really is a fine show & I'd love to hear some clean copies.
Jack Straw
April 22, 1979
Spartan Stadium - San Jose State University

What's the best source for this show? It looks like a real sleeper but every version I've heard so far is pretty poor sound-wise.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
June 12, 1980
Memorial Coliseum

Tell ya one thing: I've never heard a version with a better intro to "Scarlet". Full on Brent/Bobby/Jerry rhythm funk, almost 2 mins worth. Rest of the combo rips pretty well, too. If you're looking for a sleeper pick S>F that's inexplicably in the lower rungs, you've found it.
Ramble On Rose
Oct. 22, 1971
Auditorium Theatre

These uber early ‘71 versions are a hoot. Fast paced saloon swagger whiskey barroom fun.
Stella Blue
July 27, 1982
Red Rocks Ampitheatre

Such a great year for this tune and if you're looking for a crooner's delight Jerry vocal this is your Stella. Everything about this version shines.