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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

12
Candyman
March 24, 1988
Omni Coliseum

Lucky enough to be at this show. Candyman blew everyone away--best song played that night. Awesome trippy guitar jam &Jer belts out vocals
42
Ramble On Rose
May 19, 1977
Fox Theatre

Gorgeous, incredible, up and down, carnival-like bridge jam by Jerry. Picture perfect version--no flaws
43
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
April 8, 1978
Veterans Memorial Coliseum

April '78 S>F's often mentioned are 4/16 and 4/24 (rightly so) but this one is every bit as good. Superior transition jam--, beautiful, & powerful
94
Eyes Of The World
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

Starts out Jazzy, explorative, takes its time, 3 minute intro, then blasts off into the stratosphere with intense Garcia-led jamming

Comments

Feel Like A Stranger
July 17, 1989
Alpine Valley Music Theatre

Since I was lucky enough to be there I should do the right thing and bump this up the ladder even more. Phenomenal 3-day run at Alpine. So many great tunes featuring a revived Jerry. Bobby & Brent own this one, though.
Not Fade Away
Nov. 2, 1979
Nassau Coliseum

Start your New Year (1/1/15) as I write this off on the right foot w/perhaps the most unique NFA I've ever heard. The intro sounds almost like "Don't Let Go" rather than NFA but everyone in the band is in on it and in the pocket. As Klaussmith notes the following jams are ripping and intriguing in a way that just feels different than most any version you'll hear from any era, and it just cooks all the way thru. Top 10 version, all-time.
Shakedown Street
Dec. 28, 1978
Golden Hall, Community Concourse

This has got to go higher on the list. About as tight and focused and fun as you will ever hear. Check out the jam after the 2nd verse. Get on this version now and bump... it... UP!
Deal
July 4, 1989
Rich Stadium

@flippp The "jamless" '72 versions have a laid back appeal but of course, yes, they don't go as far out as late 80s versions...the mid 70's '77-'78 versions had a little more jam expansion while keeping an excellent rolling gait but also not as jammed out as late 80's...but you are doing disservice to the EARLY 80s versions which are every bit as jammed out as '89s, and I would ask you to go straight to exhibit A being 5/1/81 and tell me that doesn't rip the ever-loving piss out of this 7/4/89 version that, quite frankly, is overrated.
The Eleven
Jan. 17, 1970
Oregon State University

REALLY glad this was posted and commented on. LOVE the slower pace to this 11....still jammed out but way more controlled and thus focused. Tremendous version & possibly my new favorite.