Grateful Dead Best version EVER?

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June 4, 2007 - 10:00am

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marye

Joined:
May 26, 2007

So, what are your all-time greats?

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September 29, 2010 - 4:15am

#91

ripple70

Joined:
August 17, 2010

Stella blue

dozin at the knick jerrys solo brings a tear to my eye everytime.
September 28, 2010 - 5:28pm

#92

Viola Lee Guitars

Joined:
July 9, 2007

Loose Lucy....Oakland but when???

Oh yeah, There was this tape i had back in the day, Oakland. It was the 90's and it was January or February 20something. Had the most smoking version of loose lucy I ever heard, better than 74.The 1st set also had Wang 'Dang doodle, a good one too as i recall, and i think cold rain and snow, does any know which date this was? I will look it up in Deadbase. That is the best loose lucy though. If any one finds out before me, I will send them a killer Allman 'Brothers bootleg! With Duane that is. I guess it would take me five minutes. I will Give you all one week. Maybe this can bring this thread back to life again. I want to hear about more favorites, I have such a hard time choosing what to listen to!! Hand me my old guitar and pass the whiskey 'round. Matt
September 27, 2010 - 3:57pm

#93

Viola Lee Guitars

Joined:
July 9, 2007

oops

Just to be clearI meant that the greatest story ever told from 8-27-72 might be the only that is better than the one from 12-6-73. but China>Rider from 12-6-73.....well.....let's just say I'd bet the ranch on it! Hand me my old guitar and pass the whiskey 'round. Matt
September 27, 2010 - 3:52pm

#94

Viola Lee Guitars

Joined:
July 9, 2007

here are mine

Well, this thread is just too much fun...so here are mine (I've been writing down all my fav's for a week and here are the best of what came to mind: Dancin In the Streets 5-11-78 The Warewolves is AWESOME too. just heard this for the first time a couple weeks ago, but it is definately the best one I have heard they are having such a blast. the one from Oakland 10-10-76 with wharf rat sandwich was my favorite but I havent heard it in years. Minglewood 3-9-81 no doubt, best ever. Cumberland 7-14-70 with David Crosby is my fav. might be tighter versions but this is my fav. El Paso 11-08-70 6-22-74 and steal your face New Potato Caboose 1-20-68, 2-3-68, 2-14-68, and the long version from the 68 mystery reels China>Rider for me 12-06-73 is the only best and always will be also from this show as mentioned are they love each other, greatest story ever told which for both are also my favorite all time renditions, veneta Or might beat it actually, but barely. and of course one of the best dark stars. He's Gone> 9-18-74 no words can do this one justice, just have to listen Truckin> 9-18-74 so many great ones, but after the he's gone this one is PERFECT Drums> 9-18-74 Caution> 9-18-74 Ship of Fools 9-18-74 this is a VERY moving version. The whole thing was on a dead hour and the whole thing is worth listening to but hes gone>trucking Is breathtaking, i guess i know every note and groan and snare and cymbal beat by heart, and PHIL PHIL PHIL throughout ;-) 1/2 step 12-31-72 which also has another monumental truckin as well and as mentioned david crosby on 12 string for one of my favorite morning dews. Cold Rain and Snow 2-12-89 Hell In A Bucket 2-12-89 had this on a tape I lost and forgot the date, found em again years later on etree, I love these versions of both. 5-7-72 From Dark Star to the end of the show is one of the best tape sides from 72 it has Dark Star>drums>other1>Sing me back home>Sugar Mag>lovelight>gdtrfb>NFA, e:onemore sat night. every note is on fire!! these are all top 2 or 3 best versions ever in my opinion, please LISTEN to them for your own enjoyment! I love the allman bros too, but my fav from them together is when Duane sat in on 4-26-71 on Sugar Mag, BIODTL, and It hurts me too, the lovelight from 2-2-70 is not the best ever but worth hearing if you never have before, it has the allman brothers band sitting in as well as peter green, mick fleetwood, and more, guess there must have been 18 people playing on stage! With Merl Saunders and Ned Lagin sitting in at Kezar Stadium, 3-23-75 is probably the best 45 minute set ever! 10-9-76 is probably my favorite entire set. set II is there an entire set that can beat this one? i guess I will get bombarded by Cornell, but I listen to this one more often. and Dark Star ( fav of the 90's ) is 3-30-94 which in my opinion is the best vince show. the space is AMAZING too, sounds like the whole world died and you just somehow survived. Well that was it Enjoy Hand me my old guitar and pass the whiskey 'round. Matt
September 6, 2010 - 9:26am

#95

PonchoBill

Joined:
July 29, 2009

truckin'

Any version were the buildup ( don't know the tech term) at the end of that song works. When it did , it was the best song on the planet.
August 27, 2010 - 10:23am

#96

Deadicated

Joined:
June 4, 2007

Best versions ever ...

The Sacramento, San Jose & BCT shows in August '72 are all tremendous shows. But then to cap them off with the 8/27/72, Field Trip, always leaves me in awe. It is one show I listen to religiously - I'm not sure how I'll feel should it ever be officially released. I love every tune and get really jazzed at the prospect of listening tonight to the versions of Bird Song, Playing In the Band and Dark Star. I don't own the video but I have seen it. I didn't get the feeling of the intense heat and its role as much as I did the light and how it contributed to the sense of a beginning, middle and end. Hope everyone in the community has a chance to check this marvel out. " Where does the time go? "
August 27, 2010 - 9:23am

#97

Gr8fulTed

Joined:
July 9, 2007

Beatles Top 10

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/17386/194557 and the winner is.... "A Day in the Life"? what about "Honey Don't"? Dead-wise, I'm not sure whether I enjoy Jerry's rendition of "Dear Prudence" or " Lucy in the Sky" better.
July 26, 2010 - 9:16pm

#98

dfew

Joined:
July 26, 2010

Favorites

Black Peter 12-13-80 Long Beach- by far the best I've heard . Top 5 show which also has my favorite Deal So Many Roads 9-18-94 Shoreline Ampitheater- one last extra solo and Jerry's vocal just gets me every time. Kills the Soldier's Field version on the So Many Roads box IMHO. Peggy-O and Althea 3-14-81 Hartford- still ranks as my favorite show overall,although the more I listen the closer others get Shakedown .>Franklin's 11-29-1980, another stellar show Agree with Hard To Handle Hollywood '71 and would say the audience version of that and Casey Jones just shreds. Morning Dewand BEW Barton Hall May '77 Stella great late version 11-29-94 Denver favorites on CD are the Ladies and Gents Sing Me Back Home and The Without a Net Eyes... plus of course the studio version of Box of Rain, never heard a live one that surpasses it yet. The fun is in the searching for more pearls and checking out recommended ones on lists like these.
June 2, 2010 - 7:45pm

#99

Dragon with matches

Joined:
June 6, 2007

Best version EVER

So good to see someone posted this,my first tape was from Merriweather Pavillion July 1, 1985, I got this because I love Scarlet>Fire.What makes this so good is at the end of Fire prior to the Scalet riff,the boys just dive into this awe-inspring jam that,you have to hear to get it.
April 25, 2010 - 8:49am

#100

Anonymous (not verified)

Joined:
March 29, 2017

Hard Too Handle

Hollywood Palladium 8/6/71 (date might be off). The famous one, where Jerry allegedly dropped to his knees during the super-awesome-intense-jam. My original vinyl bootleg of this show is better than than any downloaded version.

John Perry Barlow

John Perry Barlow

Forums

Personal Favorites

So, what are your all-time greats?

best is subjective, but these versions are my favorites and they are all from 2/18/1971, last show with Mickey for several years ... *Bertha *Loser Hard to Handle *Wharf Rat (with Beautiful Jam!) Me and My Uncle Me and Bobby McGee Big Boss Man Candyman Uncle John's Band * - first time ever played Bertha is very cool because it has this little coda at the end of the song, and this version is the only time it was ever played. My 3rd show, and the first time I was ever psychedelic at a show. New Riders opened the show with a great set. One of the best nights Jerry ever had, imho. You can't go wrong with this show.

Morning Dew 12 30 1987

This one will give you goose bumps.

China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider 06/22/74

First night of two at the Jai-Alai Fronton in Miami. This is without a doubt my favorite China/Rider of all. The jam out of China Cat is second to none in my opinion. It is a complete work of art filled with masterful playing by all, with with one peak after another, a continuously building crescendo that literally explodes into Rider. The first time I heard it, it nearly blew my mind and still has an incredible effect on me to this day.

Mr Charlie

Hollywood Bowl? 1971. pure funk. I barely even recognized it the first time I heard it. I really like "traditional" Mr C...but this one is tops...IMO, of course. Your mileage may vary

Black Peter, Illinois

My personal favorite is the peformance of "Black Peter", Northern Illinois University, 1977.
I am from europe, and was studying at the university from 1976-1979. I didnt know the dead before that show, but i have loved them ever since. Love from Denmark.

Best regards
Søren Jespersen
Writer at https://bedste-blackfriday-tilbud.dk/

In the end - Linkin Park

Just for today...

Cow Palace New Years Eve 1976. Simply because I just listened to it! No doubt, tomorrow will bring a new favourite 😎

Loser 10/15/76

This one doesn't show up on headyversion, but it's a really good one.

https://relisten.net/grateful-dead/1976/10/15/loser?source=90753

Linkin Park is the best all…

Linkin Park is the best all time.

Terrapin

I had a whim to find a Terrapin above Terrapins. The one that will send shivers down my spine and fill me up with cascading sound fields each and every listen.

I listened to all the ones I have, not that many, maybe 6-7 and this is what I found:

The infamous version from Englishtown '77 still stands out quite a bit. It was my first show and I thought I was just playing favorites, but indeed it quite a wonderful version.

The other one I liked was from 03/03/1990 Nassau Coliiseum

It was also and quite education to listen to Robert Hunter Jack O' Roses acoustic studio version which clocks in at 15:58

But, I thought I would ask here as I know I will get some solid sound advice.

My personal favorite is the peformance

Best regards
Writer at https://www.ellipticalaudit.com/
Patkerr

Greek Theater: 5/21/82: Playin>UJB

I can only talk about what I actually saw. The second set opener at the magnificent Greek Theater, Berkley, was the best. They came out in a rather excited state to start the set. Then, they just erupted into a musical superlative. The jam into drums was a Bobby/Brent thing I never saw at any other show. Then the sun set. People need to listen to that 40 minutes turned up real loud. Archive.org has a Charlie Miller sound board that will do you well.
Sure there are probably better Playin>Uncle John's, but that one was a best for me. The energy!

The Great American Music…

The Great American Music Hall for sure.....one from the vault 1975.....the best version of eyes ever.....Jerry's solo's are out of this world

Walking Into Bickershaw Festival with a Miners Family

Seeing the Dead at Bickershaw with a miner and his family ( wife and several kids ). They had given myself and a friend a ride to the site and i invited them along....we all just walked in. I had paid they hadn`t but it didn`t matter. We all watched and listened totally transfixed......magical time

Best Terrapins

The one from 3-18-77 with the Alhambra / Terrapin Flyer jam afterwards is pretty cool.

Some great ones from the 80's are 4/14/84 Hampton, 3/23/87 Hampton and 4/6/87 Brendan Byrne. That Spring tour in 87 they were pumped up and the Terrapin outros in particular are smokin. Also the Brendan Byrne one comes out of Space and goes into The Other One, so there's that...

5/26/77 Terrapin

First time I heard it live after only having heard it on vinyl. I "got it" then. Was not too sure about it based on the album

Alvin Lee from Ten Years…

Alvin Lee from Ten Years Later - Hey Joe

Alvin Lee from Ten Years…

Alvin Lee from Ten Years Later! I have a compilation of videos about this and download it through this tool videopower.me/tips/category-videopower-red/download-video-from-a-website/

Just one of the all time greats...

Can we coax David and company to release 4-21-69, The Arc, Boston, Mass. for the next Dave's Pick release?

Please? Pretty Please?

Forever dedicated to great Dark Stars.....

Favorite Dark Star/The Other One

I stumbled across this beautiful set of 08/03/1969... There's a saxophonist that joins in on the jams and I particularly enjoyed the way Phil Lesh played around with this interesting jazzy addition to the band. It definitely gave me more understanding in the way Phil plays the bass. And seeing as he was a trumpet player originally and wrote several Jazz pieces as a composer before meeting the band, we can hear and feel this is right up his alley. Best version so far in my books

I found a new favorite but I…

I found a new favorite but I need some help. What live version of It Looks like Rains is it that ends with Jerry singing What A Wonderful World?

Best Bucket opener

7-2-87

Archive.org best version is not the mixed one fwiw - great energetic show - can't go wrong with the entire show, band was tight - no good copies of the show exist due to rain heat and humidity unfortunately but local tv station caught first 4 songs and it is on youtube fyi

Fillmore East 2/1170?

Dead with Allman Brothers & Peter Green Fillmore East 2/1170? How about a release form the vaults?

9-2-88 Mt. Rushmore

Just went back and listened to the Charlie Miller mix of 9-2-88. Just amazing. The second set alone is worthy of a Dick or Dave's....how about some fall of '88 love with those Picks!
This show is on the Mt. Rushmore for me with 8/27/72, 8/13/75, 5/22/77 and 8/6/74. Fall '88 is very nice overall but juxtapose this with a hot 10/2/88 and you can hear the extra oomph in 8/27/88. Listen to the Stella's from both and you can hear how the Cap Center one is far more on point. This show has my go to Wheel, Watchtower, Scarlet/Fire, Sugar Mag and Stella....hence, Rushmore.

Unbroken Chains from…

Unbroken Chains from Grateful Dead from the Mars Hotel. Phil Lesh sings and he is fabulous. This song has meant more to me that any other.

McNichols 7-13-81 Full show…

McNichols 7-13-81
Full show was fabulous but second set was !!!!!!!!!!

Given, I'm young in terms of…

Given, I'm young in terms of deadheads at 54, so only saw the Grateful Dead around 10 times. Of those shows, June 23, 1990 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. One of those shows where you would swear they control the weather.

As for Dead & Co which I haven't missed any of the Boulder shows since I live here. Honestly, July 3rd, 2023, the last night in Boulder this summer was just over the top. Most of the Boulder Dead & Co have been great. June 18, 2022 & July 6, 2019 were also especially good.