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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

Deep Elem Blues
May 15, 1970
Fillmore East (Late Show)

Good call! Love Deep Elm Blues, especially the 1970 versions, some other great versions are 8/5/70 and 5/2/70.
Cumberland Blues
April 27, 1971
Fillmore East

Love all Cumberland Blues from 1971. Garcia seems to incorporate many bluegrass influences into the Cumberlands during this year. Being a bluegrass enthusiast myself, that suits my interests well. Sometimes, during some of these Cumberland's it seems as if Garcia is trying to play his guitar like a banjo. Fast, concise, and compact finger picking. This sound was only apparent for a few years before slowly diminishing in later years. In the 9/21/72 Dark Star there is a great example of Garcia's bluegrass banjo jamming. This Cumberland here, however, is smoking, nice call.
Hard to Handle
April 27, 1971
Fillmore East

Carrion, thanks for getting me onto this one. Garcia plays around a little, before launching into an absolutely scorching solo. Love this one. I think the reason, why I haven't heard it before is that it was left off of the Ladies and Gentlemen CD. Each show should really be listened to as an individual document of the great run, the compilation doesn't seem to do it the best justice as this version looks as if its slipped through the cracks.
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
Sept. 21, 1972
The Spectrum

The best.
Bird Song
Sept. 21, 1972
The Spectrum

This hits smack dab in the crosshairs of what works in a Bird Song. Jazzy, and smooth, Garcia hits perfect note after perfect note, and slides this one to the outer reaches of exploration. Love this rendition and could listen to it all day. The show here at the Spectrum is almost beyond legendary.