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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Submissions

11
China Doll
Oct. 29, 1973
Kiel Auditorium

Hits a moment of near complete silence. A beautiful segue from eyes into china doll.
11
Casey Jones
Dec. 16, 1992
Oakland Coliseum Arena

Really fun latter day version. I believe it is the second to last played. The boys get into it, and reassure the crowd they arent quite done yet.
15
Samson and Delilah
Dec. 16, 1992
Oakland Coliseum Arena

Rippin' version. Some dialed in rage from Jerry coming with some ferocious solos.
14
Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again
Dec. 16, 1992
Oakland Coliseum Arena

Bobby gets into it, in great fashion. A quick charge through a Dylan Cover. Bursting energy throughout
14
Not Fade Away
June 4, 1977
The Forum

Absolutely nuts version. Twice as fast as usual, I would stack this up with cornell.

Comments

Hard to Handle
July 31, 1971
Yale Bowl, Yale University

Although Jerry doesn't have the clearest twists and turns in his solo, it is still coherent enough--melodically-- to be considered a top H2H solo. This song is generally a pretty good barometer to test if Jerry is really on during a specific performance. He rips this version up basically meaning he's on this show, check it out.
Mister Charlie
Aug. 6, 1971
Hollywood Palladium

Power packed but condensed to such a sort time frame that it feels at any moment the song will just combust and explode. If you want to dabble in labeling certain versions "best ever" or whatever, this one certainly qualifies. Flawless energetic and booming.
Stella Blue
Oct. 14, 1983
Hartford Civic Center

Sublime and serene, regardless of era, the emotion of this version stands out. Vocals are chill evoking, great song, this version does it proper justice.
Black Peter
June 5, 1970
Fillmore West

Surprised hadn't been posted earlier. One of the best acoustic Black Peter's i've heard. Garcia sounds great. Dark but not intrusively so, last verses especially are powerful in a way only this song can provide.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Nov. 11, 1973
Winterland Arena

Certainly one of the top versions, probably top 5. Seamless transition, one of the better China Cats ever and the Rider smokes quick. Impossible to go wrong with Fall 73'