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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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parrott56

millennial head

+4803


Submissions

7
Mama Tried
March 19, 1977
Winterland Arena

Deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as the other punchy, galloping ’77s.
1
Jack Straw
Sept. 9, 1974
Alexandra Palace

If you’re like me, you love the intensity of these ’74 Jack Straws. This one is not to be missed.
1
Bertha
Sept. 9, 1974
Alexandra Palace

Swinging funk akin to a ’73 TLEO. Different and sharply played.
6
Franklin's Tower
Aug. 19, 1980
Uptown Theatre

Jerry’s playing with amazing ease and fluidity. One shimmering melody after another.
5
Me and Bobby McGee
June 28, 1974
Boston Garden

Played fast, sounding almost triumphant. Very cleanly played with some attention-grabbing Jerry.

Comments

Me and My Uncle
June 22, 1974
Jai-Alai Fronton

Almost primal Dead at times. Wild and anything but typical.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
May 21, 1977
Lakeland Civic Center

Thrashing, wild Scarlet yields suddenly to a creeping, boggy Fire. Not perfect, but plenty of blood and grit: recommended.
Knockin' On Heaven's Door
March 21, 1990
Copps Coliseum

As delicately intimate a performance as you're likely to hear from the Dead in 1990. Not a wasted note.
Bird Song
May 13, 1983
Greek Theater

*comping
Stella Blue
May 13, 1977
Auditorium Theatre

Hate to be the contrary voice here, but I think most of this version is actually a mess. There a few nice moments in the outro, yes, but the whole thing nearly falls apart several times leading up to that. Too slow, too loose, and the band's just not on the same page.