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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+24543


Submissions

29
Candyman
Dec. 15, 1986
Oakland Coliseum Arena

Must hear b/c it's Jerry's first show back after the coma...crowd goes INSANE on "won't you tell everybody you meet that the Candyman's in town!"
14
Walking the Dog
April 8, 1985
The Spectrum

Midnite Hour>WTD>Big Boss Man to open the show-Wow!; Walkin' worth it just to hear Jerry sustain the vocal on "Pretty maids all in a Roooooooowww!"
9
I Need A Miracle
Jan. 10, 1979
Nassau Coliseum

Flawless deliver by Weir followed by extended, bluesy, gritty Garcia jam
80
Greatest Story Ever Told
Sept. 28, 1972
Stanley Theatre

Greatest STEPHEN ever Told. Jerry rips into a "St.Stephen" jam in the bridge jam before the reprise. 2d only to 8/27
37
Dark Star
Oct. 25, 1969
Winterland Arena

For those who don't care for the feedback/chase dog from the room DS's...this one is jazzy, jammy, rockin', & beautiful. No distortion; none needed

Comments

Here Comes Sunshine
March 24, 1973
The Spectrum

^^^^Agreed. Tight, energetic and better sung than most.
Playin' In The Band
March 24, 1973
The Spectrum

Twirler's paradise. No dissonance or melt-down madness here, just corkscrew wah-wah Jerry jazz lines surrounded by really innovative Weir-led rhythm sections...a complete band mind-meld of swirling colors and ideas and a sweet re-entry to the reprise. Just outstanding and seriously under-rated on the Big Board. Hoping that will change with more ears on the new DaP.
St. Stephen
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

^^^^I know! Still freaking out about it...an official release of my favorite all time show!
Cassidy
May 21, 1977
Lakeland Civic Center

The '77 versions are so consistent (in the best way) that they tend to blend together and get taken for granted, which is a shame, because versions like this one are like little diamond dew droplets among the rain forest of bigger suites. What's especially good about this version is the vocal fluidity and blending between Bob & Donna and a Garcia jam break before the return that is brief in comparison to the versions that would emerge in years to follow, but contains multitudes within its own time frame that make it every bit as vast, mysterious, and wondrous as its lengthier companions. Glad to finally bump this into double digits. Should be higher.
Playin' In The Band
Dec. 3, 1979
Uptown Theatre

oops. sorry for the dub post