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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

4
Ramble On Rose
Dec. 30, 1977
Winterland Arena

Faster than usual tempo with just a brilliant Jerry bridge jam and no missed lyrics make this one a not-to-be-missed version.
14
The Other One
May 18, 1977
Fox Theatre

Not sure why everyone ignores '77 versions, but you're missing out if you haven't heard this one. Power packed Jerry-led fury.
4
Spanish Jam
May 21, 1995
Sam Boyd Silver Bowl

In the band's worst year they somehow came up with a really short but spot-on SJ that emerges nicely out of space. Ignore the date-check out the tune.
4
It Must Have Been The Roses
March 13, 1981
Utica Coliseum

Seek out the SBD (unknown lineage) then bask in what's possibly the best-sung, most heartfelt & lovely "Roses" ever.
54
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
May 11, 1977
St. Paul Civic Center Arena

It's criminal that this hasn't made the list yet. Like super-smooth '77 versions? You MUST hear this.

Comments

Cassidy
April 19, 1987
Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre

Underrated version & show.
Playin' In The Band
March 22, 1972
Academy of Music

This is a gem that may have gone unnoticed for a long time for lack of a quality SBD but there's a Charlie Miller reworking that brings this forth in all its brilliance. As stated this one has that "Ace" album feel to it but it's expanded well beyond that thanks to Jerry who decides to keep the space vibe going well after Bob & the rest of the band appear headed into the reprise. Bob clearly starts playing it about 7 mins. in and Jer's having none of it. Soon the rest of the band is following Jerry back into the jam and going all in before they all have a meeting of the minds about 5 minutes later and bring home the rejoin as a flawless thing of beauty. This one is going directly into high rotation and is an easy +1.
Stella Blue
March 24, 1990
Knickerbocker Arena

Thanks to Darkstar67 for recommending the Dusborne Matrix. Haven’t listened to Dozin in a while and should have upped this previously. Just took it for granted I guess but the matrix brings it alive in a new way...coolest thing is you can hear how quiet the crowd goes, totally absorbed in Jerry’s beautiful reading. You miss that crowd feel on the official release. Top 3 all time version.
Last Time
June 8, 1992
Richfield Coliseum

This one's got some serious pep and dang if Bob & Jerry don't sound all out & in sync belting out the vocals, which is really the key to them pulling off this tune. Jerry does take a nice little run after the initial vocal section--nothing too spectacular but sweet and bouncy before Vince gets in a tasty look, then it's back to the sing-out. Really impressed with this one and this show in general--chiefly the great second set--and it's not often you'll hear me say that about '92 shows.
Viola Lee Blues
July 3, 1966
Fillmore Auditorium

I know everyone loves the big insane monster 20+ minute versions & they're great, but this early gem has great (if shorter) jams that are really tight and actually feature some nice Pig organ playing and spectacular ensemble vocals. The end jam gets all speeded out and for a classic acid drenched 60s sound it's tough to beat. I love this "mini" version!