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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Submissions

12
St. Stephen
Dec. 29, 1968
Gulfstream Park Race Track

Dark Star < St. Stephen < The eleven. A ridiculously good seamlessly flowing jam segment. The Stephen is fast paced and ferocious.
24
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
June 15, 1985
Greek Theater

Awesome China<Rider from a great show
16
Beat it on Down The Line
Nov. 30, 1973
Boston Music Hall

Bobby screams the lyrics, and Jerry picks to perfection. A hot and energetic version.
24
Eyes Of The World
April 16, 1978
Huntington Civic Center

Superb Estimated<Eyes from a fantastic show
12
Jack Straw
July 18, 1989
Alpine Valley

Jerry goes off and the solos are just insane

Comments

Hard to Handle
July 31, 1971
Yale Bowl, Yale University

Although Jerry doesn't have the clearest twists and turns in his solo, it is still coherent enough--melodically-- to be considered a top H2H solo. This song is generally a pretty good barometer to test if Jerry is really on during a specific performance. He rips this version up basically meaning he's on this show, check it out.
Mister Charlie
Aug. 6, 1971
Hollywood Palladium

Power packed but condensed to such a sort time frame that it feels at any moment the song will just combust and explode. If you want to dabble in labeling certain versions "best ever" or whatever, this one certainly qualifies. Flawless energetic and booming.
Stella Blue
Oct. 14, 1983
Hartford Civic Center

Sublime and serene, regardless of era, the emotion of this version stands out. Vocals are chill evoking, great song, this version does it proper justice.
Black Peter
June 5, 1970
Fillmore West

Surprised hadn't been posted earlier. One of the best acoustic Black Peter's i've heard. Garcia sounds great. Dark but not intrusively so, last verses especially are powerful in a way only this song can provide.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Nov. 11, 1973
Winterland Arena

Certainly one of the top versions, probably top 5. Seamless transition, one of the better China Cats ever and the Rider smokes quick. Impossible to go wrong with Fall 73'