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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Submissions

6
St. Stephen
May 6, 1970
Kresge Plaza - MIT

The jam during this blows me away every time. Pure psychedelic bliss. An argument could easily be made that this is the definitive version.
13
Easy Wind
April 4, 1971
Manhattan Center

Powerful and driving blues jam, with a unique ending. Garcia tears this one up, and Lesh provides a great hollow bass sound.
9
Nobody's Fault But Mine
May 20, 1973
U.C.

Off the rails, intense blues jamming.
6
Eyes Of The World
April 8, 1991
Orlando Arena

Relaxed, controlled, and tight. Garcia owns this one.
5
New Minglewood Blues
May 19, 1966
Avalon Ballroom

Insane early version. Weir goes off on the vocals, and there is some energetic old time Dead jamming.

Comments

China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
March 22, 1973
Utica Memorial Auditorium

Certainly deserves all the attention its received thus far, this combo is great on this night in Utica. Fast, and smooth, Garcia and Weir nail the buildup out of the China Cat, and Lesh drops some nice thunder in the Rider, definitely a powerhouse version.
Bird Song
March 22, 1973
Utica Memorial Auditorium

Lucid, peaking, and building, the drumming is fire, and Lesh fills perfectly. One of the better versions from a great year for the song.
Althea
Oct. 12, 1981
Olympia Halle

This show, for some reason or another, looks to be overlooked, take one listen to the Estimated>Gdtrfb from later in the 2nd set, it becomes painfully apparent how seriously locked in they are, all of the soloing is just fueled and flying. Throughout the entire show, for a matter of fact, Garcia is absolutely on fire, clicking on all cylinders, and shredding the shit out of songs. It sounds, also, as a side note, that Garcia is playing so furiously, that he might be pissed off. This Althea, by the way, features some excellent licks, and appears to my ears as one of the best versions of the year.
They Love Each Other
June 9, 1977
Winterland Arena

Just exactly perfect...
Don't Ease Me In
June 24, 1970
Capitol Theatre

Legendary show, fun version here following some crowd and stage banter, the acoustic set is nothing short of sublime.