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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+23519


Submissions

26
Scarlet Begonias
Oct. 3, 1976
Cobo Arena

No clean SBD on archive but at official Dead site a pristine version was on 30 days of Dead for DL. 2d best stand-alone I've heard next to 3-20-77
64
Pretty Peggy O
May 19, 1977
Fox Theatre

DP Vol. 29...Each time I think I've heard the best (i.e. 12/27/77) I hear one better. This is it. Flowing, gorgeous Jerry bridge jam. Perfection.
4
Don't Ease Me In
June 20, 1980
West High Auditorium

Proves the boys could really swing when they wanted to. Hear Jerry on "The Girl I Love" line; like 'Gator Alley--1980 a good year for this tune
31
Not Fade Away
May 26, 1977
Baltimore Civic Center

Insane. Ridiculous. Drummers locked in, Garcia in take-no-prisoners mode. 16+ minutes of full-bore Rock to the G-D Roll.
127
Wharf Rat
Oct. 7, 1977
University of New Mexico

Most pristine version I've ever heard. So smooth, so clear. Keith leads the way, Jerry brings it home. . Essential for all Wharf Rat fans

Comments

Bird Song
Sept. 19, 1972
Roosevelt Stadium

Wouldn't be this low if the DavesPicks better sounding version had been available sooner but now that it is I'd say this is one of those worth the whole purchase price for this one song--a more aggressive Bird for sure with Garcia getting gritty right from the git go and it's just pedal to the metal all the way thru the jam section but no one gets lost in the foray and the band tightens up beautifully for the drum break and everything that flows after is gold too...a faster than usual (for its time) version that somehow manages to capture the mellow essence of the tune as well. Easy ups here/.
Bird Song
Sept. 19, 1972
Roosevelt Stadium

Wouldn't be this low if the DavesPicks better sounding version had been available sooner but now that it is I'd say this is one of those worth the whole purchase price for this one song--a more aggressive Bird for sure with Garcia getting gritty right from the git go and it's just pedal to the metal all the way thru the jam section but no one gets lost in the foray and the band tightens up beautifully for the drum break and everything that flows after is gold too...a faster than usual (for its time) version that somehow manages to capture the mellow essence of the tune as well. Easy ups here/.
Row Jimmy
Dec. 10, 1973
Charlotte Coliseum

Slow drippy- trippy -syrupy version with sweet '73 Jerry vocals. Worth getting the Download Vol 8 version for best sound quality & especially so you can hear the little trills of rhythm Bobby plays underneath Garcia's solos.
Eyes Of The World
March 28, 1973
Civic Center

Jam after the last verse is where it's at with this A+ version--absolutely scorching post-lyrics playing --fast paced aggressive but precision-laden jazz --just phenomenal.
Passenger
May 5, 1978
Thompson Arena - Dartmouth College

Lost in the shuffle -- gritty, grunge-like version with a more patient approach than many others....Garcia digs in hard.