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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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parrott56

millennial head

+4803


Submissions

9
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
June 9, 1973
RFK Stadium

Controlled yet passionate. Almost Mozartean.
5
Dark Star
Feb. 8, 1970
Fillmore West

Spacey and relaxed, but maintains a gentle simmer throughout.
10
Me and Bobby McGee
May 25, 1972
Strand Lyceum

Crisp and sweet as always, but it's Jerry's fills that really make this version.
10
Truckin'
May 24, 1972
Strand Lyceum

*Yet another* stellar Truckin' from Europe '72. It would be unconscionable not to acknowledge its greatness here.
6
Jack Straw
May 24, 1972
Strand Lyceum

Very sweetly played and sung. Could easily have been the version picked for "Europe '72."

Comments

China Doll
Oct. 6, 1984
Richmond Coliseum

Several spine-tingling moments in the extended jam. These ’83-’84 China Dolls are in a class of their own.
Ramble On Rose
Aug. 5, 1974
Philadelphia Civic Arena

The quintessential ’74 version? Jerry simply cuts up the instrumental break. Simultaneously jagged and deeply groovy.
Playin' In The Band
Oct. 8, 1983
Richmond Coliseum

If I could only listen to Playin’ from one post-retirement year, it’d probably be 1983. This is a great example of why. Absolutely deranged. I can only imagine what would have happened if they’d let this one go on longer and melt down completely.
Lost Sailor -> Saint of Circumstance
Sept. 3, 1980
Civic Center

I find this one very convincing all the way through. The jam after is icing on the cake.
Friend of the Devil
June 24, 1976
Tower Theatre

June ’76 is unquestionably the best month for FOTD. Jerry’s solo here is a little less exciting than in some others, but everything is so well-played — it’s an easy upvote. Frankly, this one’s a Godchaux powerhouse, between Keith’s assured, lilting accompaniment and Donna’s career-best ’76 harmonizing.