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that would be the Dark Star from 12-6-73 show at the Cleveland Convention Center that clocks in at over 40 minutes (and then segues>Eyes of the World>Stella Blue>Sugar Magnolia!) but I don't have that one. Good luck in your search, dhk!

They've always said that with The Dead, it's not about performing the song perfectly, but rather the energy and emotion ... whether measuring in terms of a song, a show, a run, or even a tour. If I were writing this ten years ago, I'd probably have 100 songs on this list. But where Dick says the preference changes daily, I would say my list dwindles daily. That's not to say the ones that fall to the wayside aren't still great ... But I'm eternally searching for the perfect list to hand to a newcomer, and be able to confidently say "THIS is why people love The Dead." I believe there are a handful of songs that not only have great energy and emotion, but are also note perfect. (Or damn near) Here, I humbly submit my top 20 favorite performances, in no particular order. Thanks for reading.... Oh, PS- I hope this doesn't come off as pretentious. I got a TON of great suggestions from this forum, and I just wanted to return the favor. Thank you! DARK STAR 11/08/69 (dp 16) Packs all of the punch of a 30 minute jam into about 15 ... Very distinctive version for '69 LOVELIGHT 04/27/71 (ladies & gents....) Pigpen in all of his glory.... LOOKS LIKE RAIN 04/08/72 (europe '72 remaster bonus track) Jerry on pedal steel. Prettiest version I've ever heard. (Just look the other way when Jerry flubs a chord at the end of the solo....) ONE MORE SATURDAY NIGHT 04/08/72 (steppin' out) I've never heard them rock quite like this, except for this one other time.... (See GDTRFB) CHINA CAT / RIDER 06/26/74 (dp 12) I'm baffled as to why no one ever talks about this one. It's 20+ minutes of lazy and in-the-pocket groove. Great harmonies, too. GDTRFB 10/18/74 (gd movie/soundtrack) Explosive! I have never heard this much pure intensity in straight rock terms. A must hear! BROWN-EYED WOMEN 05/08/77 Yeah, I know ... Cornell, blah blah blah. :) But I have yet to hear a funkier version. 12/26/79 (dp 5) is pretty damn close, though.... MISSISSIPPI HALF-STEP 09/03/77 Another show that gets accused of being overrated. Although I mostly agree, there has never been another Half-Step that I've heard that reaches these heights. Make sure you listen to the build in the middle. LET IT GROW 10/11/77 (road trips vol. 1, no. 2) I felt like I got run over by a train the first time I heard this. Hopefully you will, too. :) LOSER 12/29/77 (dp10) I read somewhere that Jerry played a different guitar this night. I don't know if the rumor is true, but the solo is STINGING. A very unique sounding solo for this song, and it's full of passion. ESTIMATED PROPHET 08/12/79 (so many roads box) Perfect transitions, Brent's solo ... 'Nuff said! HE'S GONE -> CAUTION JAM 05/06/81 (dp 13) This is a very dark and murky version of He's Gone, and comes off even more heartfelt than other versions I've heard. As far as the Caution Jam is concerned, all I can say is "WTF???" LOST SAILOR 06/15/85 I've always had a soft spot for this song. Bob sings beautifully, and the music is flawless. COMES A TIME 11/01/85 (dp 21) So, you think the song's over and drifting off into "Space," then BAM!, they all fall back into it perfectly. I've listened to that section 100 times, and I STILL can't figure out how the hell they did that! You have to hear this performance. MORNING DEW 09/18/87 Ok, it is very important that you hear this. Easily the most emotional Jerry performance I've ever heard. Just listen the way he pours his soul into his vocals, and later, the guitar solo. There's this one note ... this ONE note he hammers near the very end ... Man, my hair stands up just thinking about it. If this list were only a "top three," this would be in it. PLAYING IN THE BAND 07/29/88 (so many roads box) A pretty rare, un-separated version. The middle, "main ten" jam builds and builds until it sounds like the world is coming to an end! Once the damage has been done, you hear them quietly crawling out of the rubble before they hit the last chorus. BOX OF RAIN 07/19/89 (phil zone) Perfect. The definitive live version. STUCK INSIDE OF MOBILE WITH THE MEMPHIS BLUES AGAIN 10/09/89 Bob really hams it up on this one, and it sounds like the rest of the band is supporting him 100%. Sooooo much power and energy coming across here, and the guys seem to be having a great time. SCARLET / FIRE 03/22/90 (so many roads box) This is the hardest tune(s) for me to find an absolute favorite performance of, but I think most of you will agree that this is a great one. Pretty economical for a s/f, clocking in at only 20 minutes or so. It's virtually flawless though, and that's why I chose it. STELLA BLUE 08/01/94 I dare you to get a copy of this and not tear up when you hear Jerry sing at the end. I prefer SBs to audience tapes, but this one you almost need the audience recording to hear the fans' reactions, and to get the full effect. I cried when I heard this for the fist time.

I could use a little help finding a tour date.Back in the 90`s me and my friend Dan went to several shows and became grate fans of the Dead. Dan collected 100`s of tapes that we would spend our evenings listening to shows, wishing we where at them all. One show hit me like no other during those days, The energy from Jerry and the Band had me bouncing in the sky. I think it was in `76 at the Philly spectrum? Is it possible they played the spectrum in `76. If so would anyone have a great copy to $$. That top 20 sounds like something I be interested in also!! Gratefully, Fatumseye (Joe)

http://www.archive.org/details/gd76-06-22.aud.vernon.6680.sbeok.shnfhtt… http://www.archive.org/details/gd76-06-21.aud.vernon.6679.sbeok.shnf here you go Joe .. all 3 are downloadable .. Enjoy !!

Rochester NY - 9/1980

I have a couple favorites here, First Sugar Magnolia June 20 1983, the absolute best Sgr Mag I have ever heard, live, tape, cd, what have you. The mud, rain and the energy of the audience, wow, I'm getting chills thinking about it. The same show the Truckin was awesome, the lightning hitting somewhere close by and killing the power for about 2 seconds, most bands would have started the song over, but not our boys, seemed like they picked up with the very next note and finished with a bang. The next year June 26 1984, they opened the first night with, what I thought was a space, but turned into Casey Jones. I lost count of visited shows around 50 and that was the only CJ I saw live.

I shy away from anything post Brent so my exposure to Days Between is limited. Anyone have a favorite version of Days Between ? To me, that song is Jerry and Hunter at there finest. Thanks in advance....

Just curious, what is your favorite black throated wind? I've been looking for a good one to show to potential deadheads for a while now, any advice?

The Music Never Stopped from the Phil zone. The sweetest feeling. Thank's Phil

eyes of the world from Englishtown

3/30/08 Phila Pa Sweetest reggie version of Uncle's John's Band!

6/9/77 Yeah! | I'm just a, well...porpoise. |

My new (re-discovered) favorite is the often mentioned show with Branford at Nassau, 3-29-90. Thanks for mentioning that show everyone. The entire second set is incredible, but go now and listen to the Eyes of the World and the Lovelight. What other guest musicians have come out and put on that type of performance with the band? In Chicago, James Cotton rocked Schoolgirl on June something 1992 (my first show).

i agree with the guy shakedown 4/6/82morning dew , terrapin from that show also amazing that 2nd set is one of their best moments also 9/21/82 set 1 looks like rain,playin,crazy fingers all top versions and the southwest motif overall after looks like....jerry says lets get the f**k outta here and then i think they come back and do china rider this is 1st set mind you the playing is inspired i still use these two shows as material when i teach improvisation to music students

personal fave is the Hard to Handle off Philzone, August 6, 1971. So loose, so jammin-danceable. I liked it so much I wrote an article about it slowreview.com such a hot solo. reens

My all time favorite Grateful Dead song is "Rosemary" but it was never played live as far as I know. It's just Phil and Jerry and the lyrics are sooooo strange!!! I also like "What's Become of the Baby" but it's hard to whistle or sing in the shower!!! And then there's the "Barbed Wire Whipping Party" but that's another story all together. I just came back from the dentist. "Unusual travel suggestions are dancing lessons from God" ... ... the Books of Bokonon

China>Rider 5/19/74Eyes 9/3/77 & 6/26/74 & 8/13/75 Dark Star 2/13/70 The 11 8/24/68 (Two from the Vault) Playin 4/26/72 (100yr hall) Help>Frank 5/22/77 Comes a time 5/4/77 Scarlet>Fire 10/2/77 & 3/22/90 Jam 7/27/73 & 11/20/78 Shakedown 11/20/78 PeggyO 5/7/77 1/2 step 5/7/77 Sugaree 5/22/77 (with out a doubt!)

...from 3/28/81 is both long -nearly 13 mins- and veeeery strong. A flawless version; let alone the little feedback noise...

LLR - 1984-03-31 and 1985-11-08 (could be the 5th not the 8th, its one of them, and SMOKING!) Deal - 1989-07-04, 1989-07-19 The Other One - so many out there but i really love 1978-01-22 Althea - 1990-09-12, 1989-07-19, Terrapin LTD. Goin to Nassau Sugaree - 1989-07-19 Morning Dew - also, sooo many but DP28, DP3, 1972-09-21, New Years Cow Palace 76-77, 1977-05-08, 1977-05-22 etc.... New Minglewood - 1989-07-18, 1984-03-31 Feel Like a Stranger - 1987-04-06, 1989-07-17, 1984-03-31 ill be back later to post more.

Jack Straw - 1987-04-06, Dead Set, Goin to Nassau, probably a lot i've forgot too. High Time - 1981-05-06, anyone else know of a High Time with a guitar solo?????? Let it Grow - DP 25, 1990-09-12, DP32, DP13 China>Rider - DP12, DP31, 1989-07-17 Music Never Stopped - DP18, DP3 NFA - 1977-09-03, 1977-10-11 He's Gone - 1984-03-31

o yea couple more EXCELLENT must listen DEWs 1972-12-31 w/ david crosby. ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECE, crosby deserves a lot of credit because he is a large part to what makes this dew special, jerry bobby, david and phil all flowing together, god i love it!!!! 1972-10-21 - really love this one too, phil is just dropping bombs left and frikkin right

Have a listen Gone are the days we stopped to decide........where we should go......we just ride.

...yes, let me once more try to convince you about this spectacular show... the boys had no easy task following The Who on that Rockpalast-night, but they did exceptionally well considering they played for an audience that hardly knew the band by name over here in Germany. You know, german audiences whistle, if they don't like something and there where lots of whistles during 1st set when they were tuning up between songs. People here like that "now we're gonna play our next song, it's called bla-bla-bla one two three four"-attitude. When the set crashed to an end with an incredible powerful Deal, they slowly had gotten into it. The setlist reads quite conventional, but there really aren't any hang-ups, no vocal lapses, only strong versions, many of them able to turn on any dead-novice! A magnificient Sugaree that really rocks, a Shakedown both long and very potent, the above mentioned Deal, a pre-drums O1 with a very noisy and spacey synth and feedback section before giving way to drums... and the rest from NFA through to Good Lovin' is sheer power and delight throughout! Pete Townsend sat in during that part; he was so stoned, that they turned down his guitar in the live-mix next to inaudible! (Jerry sent that occasional amused smile to him once in a while...) So, people; if you still don't own that fantastic show on foreign ground: get it!

4-13-1983, Patrick Gymnasium, UVM, Burlington Single note transition between tunes gives me chills just thinkin' about it right now! The boys were on FIRE that night and 3000 people had a blast! ..even a blind man knows when the sun is shinin'...you can feel it!..

I asked about this in another thread and still haven.'t found the answer... Anybody know anything about a version of Bird Song they play occasionally on the Sirius GDC. It doesn't sound like it's live-it's a pretty slow, quiet version, but not as psychedelic as the original Jerry solo. I've checked out alot of websites and haven't found the answer. Even tried emailing Sirius ! Any info would be "grately" appreciated...

Am ashamed to admit that have freaking finally dug out a pig/janice Lovelight and am freaking out with joy!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry to admit my ignorance so loud and all-but so full of joy have to admit that have found my new fave LOVELIGHT ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now someone will prolly be asking WHICH pig/janice lovelight-like sunshine daydream just did. Suspecting is the 69 one. But not sure. I don't know don't really care let there be songs to fill the air ********************************** Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone, you will still exist, but you have ceased to live. Samuel Clemens

Truckin' - June 28, 1974 (Dick's Picks 12)

How can you beat that? Also 1973 shows from Boston Music Hall. All three shows. The early summer '76 shows from the Beacon Theater, The Capital Theater - Passaic and The Tower Theater in Philly.

It is really difficult for me to pick a favorite version of any of them with such a wide selection to choose from.Right now it would be St Stephen/Eleven, from the Filmore West '69 disc set I think, but could be wrong. My favorite Friend of the Devil would have to be the Garcia/Grissom version. So moving after listening to and enjoying the original for so long. It ages very well. Good to know you got shoes to wear when you find the floor.

Eyes of the World> China Doll from Freedom Hall, Louisville, Ky 6/18/1974

Warewolves of London 7-8-78 Red Rocks

Well, I've been reading these posts for the better part of 2 years now, so I guess its about time I added my two cents. Just some current favs Peggy-O- DP 15 China>Rider- Without a Net, 11-14-73 san diego Casey Jones- Ladies & Gentlemen really tough ones: Scarlet/Fire: 3-28-77 (first ever fire, jerry just scorches, what else is new), 5-17-77 u of alabama, dp 18, 4-24-78 illinois state-bob and jerry dueling hard around 5mins and beyond, unreal. Dark Star: 2-27-69 winterland, 4-5-69 avalon ballroom, 12-6-73 cleveland, 43 mins followed by eyes...gnarly. TIFTOO: 2-27-69, 2-15-69, 1-2-70, dp 18 is short but intense Eyes: 2-15-73 out of dark star, dp 15 brown eyed women- 4-2-73, 6-22-73

Some of my fav's Dark Star 10-30-73 - (11-11-73 is great too... but all the fall '73 DS's are amazing) and then Dark Star 10-9-89 and 10-16-89 (10-9-89 sends chills down my back with the crowd) Playin' pick any from the fall of '73 or the spring of '77 High Time - 9-14-82 Lost Sailor 6-15-85 - best version ever Saturday Night 6-22-85 Iko, Samson, He's Gone, Smokestack & Come's A Time 6-24-85 Stranger & Friend Of The Devil 10-29-85 (but 7-4-84 is great too) Black Peter & Baby Blue 9-15-87 Crazy Fingers 7-17-88 Scarlet > Fire 9-22-90 Truckin' 9-20-91 Best Tours: Europe '72 Fall '73 Spring '77 Summer '82 Summer '85 Fall '89 Spring '90

personal faves: Playin' 7/19/74 Midnight Hour 10/26/83 Drums 4/7/95 Shakedown - Rockin' the Cradle (gotta love the multitrack live recordings)

Morning Dew ---> Richmond 11/2/85 This show is often overlooked in favor of the previous night (Dick's Picks vol. 21). But anyway, the Morning Dew coming out of space is absolutely magical. The transistion from Space is haunting, the music is flawless, and Jerry's vocals are powerful. But, what stands out is Phil... he is just thumping right at the climax of the song. Beautiful music. The entire show ---> Hampton 10/9/89 ("Formally The Warlocks) Why this show hasn't been formally released is beyond me. It is smoking hot... the set list and the playing.

Jerry delivers the goods on this version, hard to imagine a more perfect deliveryof this song. The show leading up to it is not shabby, but it just seems like the entire show led to this version of this song. Still seems that way 15+ years later.

I love the Spring 77 shows -The Estimated on this Dicks Pic is mesmerizing . but my favorite Jerry ballad and solo is the "Comes A Time" from the same show. I have listened to all of Jerry's ballad solos and there are many great ones but this struck me immediately as probably his best. I wonder why this song doesn't seem to get much discussion from fans. Also there is a beautiful part where Keith comes in with some very nice chord changes. And the road goes on forever.... BobbaLee

Shakedown St columbia, MD 6/30/85Dark Star 3/29/94(my 16th bday, last dark star w jerry...my 4th show) Alaska run 1980...BRENT RUNS IT!!EASY TO LOVE NOT FADE AWAY AHH YEAH! Fillmore East run Valentines 1970(probably the BEST alligator>cautions>WBYGN>feedback Fillmore West 2/8/69(date may be incorrect) another ripping show..at the end jerry says "goodbye from the electronic mice" as the roadies unplug their insts in the middle of feedback.. Crusader Rabbit Stealth band..NYE 01-02...the boys finally get back together..all of phil n friends plus all the dead Not fade away>truckin>playing>drumz>wheel>playing...HOLY CRAP BATMAN!! Terrapin Station 'offical' reunion show East Troy, WI....'BORN CROSS EYED FIRST TIME SINCE 68!!!!!!!!"...and the 'Terrapin Station' was MIND BLOWING(listen to the synth effects when the 'terrapin' chant begins) Hampton Col. in VA as the warlocks..dont rem date...killer show Portland 74 run...killer Weather report suite... any of several AMAZING terrapin stations from the 91 dual keyboard shows.. all for now...IN SAVANNAH NEED RIDE TO GBORO ASAP CAN LEAVE TOMM(SAT) n BE BACK MON!!!!HAVE $$$$$$$ HELP! "when the going gets weird, the weird turn PRO" -Hunter S Thompson

is the track that locked me into the band to this day. I was hoping someone else would mention this performance. Probably their heaviest tracks ever. I had a taper friend in college who recorded this show, and this was the last show of the tour before he had to come back for school, so I heard it two days later, again, and again, and again. So I can say definitively that I became a Head on March 25th 1987, and have absorbed everything since. Thanks DK.

was also outstanding. I was not at the show, but had I friend who was an excellent taper with TOL equipment. Any Let it Grow fan should check out this show. Oh, and BTW, excellent show all-around, too.

My all-time favorite version of any song is from 11/14/73. The China-Cat is unlike anything you've ever heard. During the part where they jam into IKYR, the whole mood of the song changes into these other 4 chords and it is the most fantastic piece of music i've ever heard. Jerry's lead makes me want to cry, its so powerful. Perfect addition to any deadhead's collection. Also, the "Eyes of the World" from this show is also my favorite version. It's perfect.

gibsonrocker800, I don't believe I have heard the version you speak of. My current favorite jam of all time is the china cat into rider on 3/23/74 @ the cow palace. Pure magic. I will check out the 11/14/73 version though to see how they compare. Please give this a listen too if you havn't already. It happens to be on Dick's Picks 24 though it's not the complete show.

Just finished listenin to the China Cat Sunflower from 3/23/74 and i gotta say it's fantasic. It has that same 4-chord-UJB rhythm i was talkin about. Good stuff man. Thank you very much for sharing =] Hope you enjoy 11/14/73.

a most amazing dancing in the streets i ever heard i listen to it about once a week or so.... i just get off so much when i hear it...then they blend right into dire wolf..do your self a favor get it and dance dance dance in the street ( watch for traffic)

All I can say is WOW, this song is haunting and as powerful as I've ever heard Jerry from the Old Renaissance Faire Grounds. I start almost everyday with a cup of joe and Jerry belting this out. I close my eyes and see John Coffey (big guy) from The Green Mile as "The warden lead the prisoner to his doom" and his last words are "Let my guitar playin' friend fill my request" and Jerry is sitting there singing him back home with the gospel choir in the background...very powerful. Give it a listen... http://www.archive.org/details/gd72-08-27.sbd.bertha-ashley.21619.sbeok… Also just listened to the 8-1-94 Stella Blue and it certainly is a fantastic version as a poster pointed out...I was at that Birthday show and Jerry really poured his heart into it and let it all hang out...awesome !!!

Samson and Delilah from Radio City Music Hall - 10/30/80 Check the YouTube video out here

Let It Grow 9-2-79 This is the first Brent LIG and also the longest ever!!!Dark Star>Eyes 11-11-73 The Mind Left Body Jam in the middle of all this is perhaps the best of that as well Sugaree 12-28-79 If you haven't heard this, this is a must listen. Keep Your Day Job Any version that was not in the encore slot. Although an interesting theory has been thrown around that a Day Job encore means the whole show is smokin hot _____________________________________________________________________________ Initial studies have concluded that repeated exposure to Grateful Dead music may be habit forming, and can result in a permanent change to the psyche of the listener. While no one has successfully reversed this condition, it can sometimes be controlled to

my all-time fave (for today) has gotta be 7/7/78 Red Rocks, bouncy, fun, and everybody seems to be into it - including the crowd! oh, to have been there for this run!!!!