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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+23519


Submissions

46
Ramble On Rose
Nov. 30, 1980
Fox Theatre

Jerry sounds "just like Wolfman Jack" when he growwwlllzzz out the final chorus on "Goodbye Mama & Papa...!" Whole version is aces back to back!
43
It's All Over Now Baby Blue
Oct. 10, 1982
Frost Amphitheatre

Jerry in especially soulful voice on this completely perfecto version from one of the best shows of '82. If you like 4-6 Spectrum, you'll love this.
18
Playin' In The Band
Oct. 12, 1984
Augusta Civic Center

My favorite "sandwich" version, this PITB actually begins in the 2nd set as reprise from the previous night! Insane weaving thru UJB/Space/Dew
22
Samson and Delilah
May 13, 1977
Auditorium Theatre

Goofy stage banter by Bob, then the rippingest, roaringest, best-drummed version I know.
38
Sugar Magnolia
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

Best ever. No fooling. Don't miss Mickey and Billy dueling each other at the frenzied end jam before heading into SSDD. Whole version insane!

Comments

The Music Never Stopped
Oct. 3, 1976
Cobo Arena

Also hearing/digging that MLB-ish jam in the slowed down middle section b4 they kick things into high gear for the end jam. Great '76 version--stands up to a lot of others, even some '77s, & deserves a higher spot
Let It Grow
Aug. 29, 1980
The Spectrum

If my favorite version of this tune is 5-1-81 (and it is), this is the prequel--the origin superhero story if you will...Jerry flying all over the place with note after note but in total control of the thread and Bobby keeps up, as does the rest of the band. It's the Spectrum so you know it's a grand performance (always rising to the occasion at the big city venues like MSG & The Gahden in Boston), and damn if this isn't drastically underappreciated at less than 10 measly votes. Do yourself a favor and crank this one up and tell me it doesn't deserve your upvote.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
March 21, 1991
Capital Centre

One of those I've had in heavy rotation for years but always forgot to bump here on the list. Just a spectacular coupling of both tunes--not just "for this era"--but for any. Deep calypso vibes twirl throughout Scarlet & Jerry is belting as best he can for '91 & nails all the lyrics and damn if he doesn't bring back some of the old magic from about a decade earlier when he'd fly through a tapestry of notes, sprinting along at a fast but not too fast pace- and the Fire does not disappoint either with a furious full throttle band transition into it, and of course Bruce adds his usual brilliant flourishes. With scores upon scores of S>F to choose from I get how a '91 show version especially might get lost in the weeds, but this one really should have far many more votes than it does now.
Brother Esau
Dec. 30, 1986
Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center

Stunningly hot precision funk version--best drumming I've ever heard performed on this tune. Outstanding +1 & candidate for best ever.
Shakedown Street
Oct. 22, 1983
Carrier Dome, Syracuse U

Overshadowed by the "other" Carrier Dome shredfest the following year? Maybe, and that one's a beast, but oh my Cats Under the Stars so is this!!!! Grand furious funk ensues here -- as said above by other posters the whole band is dialed in. Get this one higher please