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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+24533


Submissions

49
Jack Straw
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

There are longer versions, but none has a better bridge jam than this one. My favorite version ever--must listen!
88
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Feb. 24, 1974
Winterland Arena

Hard-charging drumming from Billy leads the way. Best MLB jam in this pairing I've ever heard. Hard to believe it wasn't listed yet.
37
Cassidy
Oct. 12, 1983
Madison Square Garden

Intense build-up jam, perfect touch-down. Weir absolutely nails it. My favorite version all-time
21
Shakedown Street
Jan. 10, 1979
Nassau Coliseum

Laser-focused, perfect rendition, start to finish. Super-funky with awesome Jerry fuzz-guitar, rock-blues jamming post-vocals
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

Comments

Here Comes Sunshine
June 22, 1973
Pacific Coliseum

Minor hiccups (lyric flub, one stutter step in one of the chord changes) can’t detract from the overall brilliance of this version. Jam section between verse 2 and 3, which makes or breaks any HCS is almost too sweet for words. New box set sound reproduction provides clear and distinct separation of instruments to be heard like never before. Keith’s fills and Billy’s subtle drum accents come alive in particular.
Playin' In The Band
May 21, 1974
Edmundson Pavilion

The great new box set can't even change my mind on this version. It's not even the screechfest middle section that bugs me so much, it's more that there's no cohesion to this marathon piece at all. It feels like four or five different sections of things they could have played separately throughout the show in different jams, with varying results. I'd probably dig about 2 of the 5 in this one but it's length is more a novelty than an indication of its worth. Compare with 11/1/5/72 which is also long at 30 mins. but has far greater flow and continuity to the musical soundscapes they visit than this one does. Just a 2 cent opinion after listening closely again from the new set, which really is proving to be fantastic.
Eyes Of The World
May 21, 1974
Edmundson Pavilion

Better than a lot of ones from the same year currently higher on the ladder. Blissful post second verse second jam.
Wharf Rat
May 21, 1974
Edmundson Pavilion

Great point Carrion makes about the Birdsongish quality of this Rat, especially in the outro jam which manages to be dreamy and intense all at once. Great vox from Jerry on this one too. I prefer this song mostly in 1977 but of the pre ‘77 versions this might be my favorite especially as heard in the new Pacific Northwest box set. Excellent group of shows and hopefully this one will get attention beyond the 46 min. PITB
He's Gone
June 7, 1977
Winterland Arena

Hadn’t listened to this one in forever. End jam has got to be the best they ever did for this tune. Easy +1 & glad for all the commentary on it.