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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+23517


Submissions

9
One More Saturday Night
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

Like every other song from this, my favorite all-time show, it's a best-of candidate. Just rocks hard.
2
Alabama Getaway
Dec. 5, 1979
Uptown Theater

Come for the 'Bama but stay for the rest of the show. This rocker 'Bama is Jerry and Brent at their very best. This entire show, tho', is a monster.
13
Stagger Lee
June 27, 1985
SPAC

Right after Phil tells a guy to get off the blacony cuz 50,000 people are waiting for him to, and Bob does the dog nose joke, Jer rips into a fine SL!
8
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Oct. 18, 1989
The Spectrum

Pretty good China followed by the best 80's OR 90's RIDER I've ever heard. Check Jer's run going into "sun gonna shine" verse. 5 stars fo RIDER alone.
2
Brown Eyed Women
Aug. 4, 1982
Kiel Auditorium

Fast-picking goodness. Jerry's bridge solo is long and lightning quick and awesome. 1 point off for lyric flub on re-entry, but the rest is gold.

Comments

China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
March 14, 1981
Hartford Civic Center

Late to the game on this hidden gem...sensational transition jam with Garcia finding new avenues on a familiar street just blazing into the final run up and the energy doesn't flag into Rider...show itself stands in the shadows of the MSG run just b4 it but don't deprive yourself of a stellar combo from this Hartford show
Estimated Prophet
Dec. 26, 1979
Oakland Auditorium

^^^^Yes, of course! More "fools" are always welcome in my administration ;-)
Loser
March 24, 1990
Knickerbocker Arena

^^^^All true, and this version needs no excuses for its spot on the board... breathtaking Garcia solo, gruff vox growl perfectly fitting the tune, the whole band in lock step...there are other underrated versions out there but to say this is overrated is silly. For a similar version to this one (not quite on the same level but damn close) check out Ventura 7/22/84
Let It Grow
April 15, 1978
William and Mary College Hall

This is even a shade better than 5-14-78 at Providence which is also great but I think gets its higher ranking only b/c it's longer...and not by much...this one glides a little better to my ears and Donna blends so nicely with Bobby, and of course the jamming is rich and colorful throughout. Shoulda upped it long ago
Greatest Story Ever Told
Dec. 6, 1992
Knickerbocker Arena

Another winner from this way underappreciated late '92 humdinger of a show--the jam section in this one is a Jerry shred fest that also features some of Vince's best keyboard work and whatever Bobby had goin' on with his slash-fuzz-guitar sound at this show --he shouda done more of it...so good