So Many Roads
Sept. 28, 1993
Boston Garden
@reichorn -- I guess this is at the heart of the debate about what make the Dead so special. For me, both 8/25/93 and 9/28/93 are great, and Jerry's focused in the solo and raves up nicely (if briefly) at the end.
What makes 10/1/94 (and most versions from 94-95) so incredible for me, and I'd venture, a large amount of heads, is that it feels like Jerry is truly baring his soul. In the 10/1/94 version, and I'd argue the 7/9/95 one as well, it feels like he's accessing that unknowable emotional place that we are lucky enough to get to go to with him. On the contrary, for me at least, in the 93 versions it just feels like he's playing the song well. This bit of emotional connection is why we all keep coming back, right?
This "emotionality" or whatever you want to call it is especially important in songs like SMR, Stella Blue, you name it. I wouldn't be searching for a special emotional version of Mississippi Half Step, Jack Straw, or Eyes of the World; I'd be looking for a focused one. But when it comes to the songs that allow Jerry to bare his soul a little, give me a 94 version any day.
of course, another special thing about the dead is that we all get to have our own bits and pieces of their music that we love. So to each their own - and how great is that!