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  • wilfredtjones
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    it's 12-6-89
    Reading the reviews, it was quite important to a lot of folks that were there. It was the Earthquake benefit. 12-6-89 from Oakland. It sounds nice with Clarence Clemons. FWIW, My fave SOTM is 12-28-91.http://www.archive.org/details/gd89-12-06.sbd.miller.14917.sbeok.shnf
  • Harrington
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    Best SOTM
    So that was Clarence! It was just amazing, I was reading a book about Garcia and there was some mention of this show, or something that made me think I might have a copy of this show, anyways... I went searching and it was just so cool when I realized I had a great quality cassette of the very show I was reading about. Thanks, Wilfred T. and be well for many years. Harrington p.s. (no longer black lassie - identity crisis lol)
  • hippyjameZ
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    Found a Groovy site for Best Versions ...
    http://headyversion.com/ love searching through these and listening to all the submissions ...
  • marye
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    in general
    I think forgetting the lyrics often proved a real godsend for the jamming...
  • Sun King
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    SPAMMER!
    go away samson77
  • Harrington
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    Need help identifing date of "best" "Standing on the Moon"
    Back in the early '90s I became friends w/ a serious taper nicknamed "Rockitt" from Jersey via school in Albany (Rockitt if you read this it's Pat). Anyways he used to cut tapes for me when we got together. I never labeled them thinking I'd have a hobby when I got older and had the time - well time's here! After about 70 or so shows I ended up pretty familiar with our heros! I also realized that my friend Rockitt cut me tapes of some of the best shows ever, for which I will be forever grateful. So: I have a set that looks like a New Year's set but I'm not sure. I can hear Brent and a horn player, the set list is Scarlet>Sugar Mag>Ship of Fools>Terrapin Drums/Space Wheel>Watchtower>Standing on the Moon>sunshine Daydream Jam It contains a version of Standing on the Moon that's better than any other version ever or just about any other tune from any live performance from anyone ever (can you tell I really like this cut (and I'm nuts...)?)! Any help with the date will be mucho appreciado - I know I could hunt for it, but I'm just too arthritic and medicated sometimes.... Thanks
  • bessbeetle@yahoo.com
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    Best Jack Straw
    Ok, I know "best" is a loaded term, but I always go back to 6/16/91 Set 2 for the tasty licks.
  • flavaham
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    Need your best Crazy Fingers
    I've been playing/learning Crazy Fingers on guitar so I'd like to hear some of your favorites! I've been listening to the version from One From the Vault and also downloaded a show from Winterland, 6/17/75 (first version of the tune). I like both versions a lot, but I'm sure someone on hear can pick one just off of the top of their head that will blow my mind!! Haha. Thanks! -Gabe
  • samson77
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    Great things in business are
    Great things in business are never done by one person, they are done by a team of people.Thanks for sharing the informative post. Regards. Sell Iphone
  • hd2k
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    My favorite "modern day" versions....
    While there are MANY great versions of Scarlet > Fire, and they change in overall sound from each "period". For example: the early '74 versions of Scarlet are generally shorter, non-jammy numbers. When Fire hit the scene, it originally wasn't a barn burner (but was more-so than the early Scarlets). When the boys hooked 'em together, they were on to one of their great song marriages. The mid-late '70's versions are VERY different from the early '80's versions, and these are VERY different from the late '80's versions. However, in early 1990 (I believe the Oakland Chinese New Year run 02-25 thru 02-27) the boys first started playing with MIDI. I may be a bit biased 'cuz this was my first show, but the Scarlet > Fire from 02.26.1990 is freekin' AMAZING!!! The segue jam goes all over the place, includes church bells at one point, Mickey makes a beast of himself, and the jam comes close (several times) to dissolving in to Space. Ok, Jerry forgets the lyrics more than once in Scarlet, and at least once in Fire, but musically it's monumental. Bobby also completely destroys the Bucket lyrics to open the show. Since it was my first show, I wasn't very familiar with the "natural order" of a Dead show, and the blue unicorns had me quite out-there, so I didn't realize what I had actually experienced until years later when I finally rec'd a tape. The show BLEW MY MIND, but everyone's first show does. It wasn't until much later when I listened to the tape (over and over and over) that I realized what a fun 1st set it was, and how AWESOME that Scarlet > Fire is. That is easily my all-time favorite Scarlet > Fire (but I'm biased ;) ). Of course, I have many other "2nd place" versions, but the version from Oakland 02.26.1990 is easily my favorite. The rest of the 2nd set includes a nice Playin > Terrapin > Drumz, and a somewhat rare Baby Blue encore. I discovered the boys a bit late in their careers together, but managed to see over 125 shows in 5 short years, and I feel VERY lucky to have even seen one. So many people missed out on a truly unique amazing and fascinating experience. The entire second set from Brendan Byrne 04.01.88 is a beast. On paper, the set list almost looks like a "greatest hits" set (I've seen this set labeled as "generic 2nd set material" just because of the songs played, but it's HOW they were played that matters, right?). I know it from memory I've listened so many times: China > Rider; Estimated > Eyes > Drumz > Space > Other One > Wharf Rat > Throwing Stones > Not Fade Away; E: Brokedown Palace. The China > Rider is awesome, a tad short, but the power of it leaves you speechless. The post-Drums is where the true force of the set lies. The jam from Space into The Other One is amazing, and The Other One is one of the most truly mind blowing and experimental-yet-cohesive versions I've ever heard (from '85-'95); plus it has really cool "laser" sounds! While some people don't truly appreciate Throwing Stones, the version here doesn't stop building and jamming. The energy in it ebbs and flows, and at moments you don't think it can build anymore, then it explodes to a whole different ecstatic level - it ROCKS! I think this show was released as a Dick's Picks or Road Trips CD set, and it's is truly worthy of such a release. Standing On The Moon from Eugene Oregon 08.21.1993. Amazing. Truly amazing. Brings me to tears every time. Jerry is so powerful and heart-felt... wow. I'm getting goosebumps and my eyes are tearing up just thinking about it..... Help On The Way > Slipknot! > Franklin's Tower - Eugene Oregon 08.22.1993. Again - awesome. This was the 2nd set opener. It was excellent when I saw it at Autzen, and even better when it caught me surprise on the David Gans Grateful Dead hour . . . . uhhhh . . . . WOW! Jack Straw - Eugene Oregon 08.22.1993 - this was the show opener, and Bobby's guitar was giving him some type of problem, so he walked off stage in mid-song. I was in the bleachers behind the stage and saw Bobby literally smash the guitar to the ground. While this was going on backstage, Jerry started jamming.... and jamming, and jamming, and he jammed a bit after that jam, and followed that with another jam. It rocked! There was also a microphone issue, at one point Jerry just comes in with "...change, ain't that Heaven sent...." instead of "...took my rings and four bucks in change, ain't that Heaven sent...". Again, I was there and I may be biased, and again, I didn't realize just how awesome this Jack Straw was until I heard it on tape a couple of weeks later. I was too wrapped up in watching Bobby backstage throwing the guitar around and getting all POed! (yes - I was at this Eugene run, and the entire run will stay with me FOREVER! It wasn't only the music, it was everything- this was one of the few venues where there was still parking lot camping next to the stadium, and what a great spot: right next to the Willamette river in beautiful Oregon; naked folks swimming in the river, climbing the trees.... I did every Eugene run in the '90's and camped each time, and the '93 run was IMO by far the best; I'm getting all teary-eyed-and-goosebumpy again just thinking about it) I didn't list anything before 1985 for a reason, there are already SO MANY great versions of great songs already listed here from what is generally recognized the Grateful Dead's "heyday": up to 1977/78, that I decided to list my favorites from the "modern age" of the Dead.
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So, what are your all-time greats?
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I have to say that my personal favorite Uncle John's Band was also my first, 5/21/82. To this day I sing Jerry's opening solo to myself. It's a really lovely version.
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I'll have to look that one up! Being that UJB is a personal favorite song of mine........
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Best ever Iko is 3-18-95 philly spectrum. The best ever So Many Roads is 7-9-95. If anyone can steer me in a different direction please do so, as I am alwys looking. TomBanjo
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little red rooster- 11/11/85 built to last-10/16/89 i need a miracle-12/31/78 cold rain and snow-7/4/89 row jimmy-7/4/89
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The Dark Star jam on Steppin' Out is pretty good I am biased as i was there The one Dark Star i wish i had seen live is 26th October 89 in Miami this is a MONSTER Bob W Spanish Jam
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Disc two of Dicks Picks 16 Bob W Spanish Jam
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An under rated song from a great show is the Sugar Magnolia from 7/13/84. That was a real Bobby show and his guitar work on the Sugar Magnolia and his use of the whammy bar is outstanding. Other fav's are: Bertha from 8/05/71 Hollywood Palladium when somebody knocks the mike out, so the intro is like 3-4 minutes long. Also from next day 8/06/71 comes my favorite St. Stephen so slow and under control, but totally powerful. Great version...and the show closing Lovelight.
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5-11-72 just shreds
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cream puff war - 3/18/67brokedown - 12/7/71 comes a time - 12/4/71 looks like rain - 7/16/72 bird song - 8/27/72 china>rider - 9/9/72 they love each other - 12/6/73 eyes of the world - 6/20/74 dire wolf - 9/10/74 help>slip>franklins - 6/14/76 stella blue - 7/18/76 morning dew - 4/27/77 _______________ insert obligatory signature here
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Most songs changed so much from when they were written over the years that it's hard to come up with a Best Ever. One performance of a particular song, however, is so head and shoulders above any other version as to obviously deserve this distinction: the Greatest Story Ever Told from the Venetta Oregon show, 8-27-72. Can anybody think of a GSET that even comes close? Neither can I.
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Had a live 80's tape of Robert Hunter rapping Fire. I don't think it was Mickey...hmmmm. Can anyone put a finger on where I might find this tune again?
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Well, for me the ultimate Dark Star is 11/11/73. The DEA should really look into scheduling this version of DS:)The Music Never Stopped from 5/9/77 is funky fun. I love this version! Bird Song from 12/31/90 with Branford is sublime. So Many Roads 7/9/95 never ceases to choke me up. Jerry's take on Positively 4th Street from the Garcia Plays Dylan album is brilliant. Jerry re-imagines one of the great put down songs as a heartfelt lament for lost love and friendship. Where Dylan was angry and mocking, Jerry is sad, wistful, and introspective. This take on the Dylan classic blew me away. Yo Soy Boricua!
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China>Rider: 5/26/73, even though it's cut.Dark Star: 2/13/70 Help>Slip>Frank: 5/9/77 Bird Song: 8/27/72 Viola 5/2/70 I would love to see running votes of favorite song versions from members as well as favorite shows of each year.
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the last china doll - 10/11/94. (maybe just because i was there on the floor, 'bout ten rows back).
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the wheel > round N round > Jonny B good with hornsby in the hot seat i can still see bruce tearing it up as he stands up and kicks his seat from beneath him.... rockin times
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Ever hear the 3/27/87 Touch? I was at the show in Hartford. For whatever reason the band and crowd really clicked on that one. I was on the floor about 10 rows back and the roar was magnificent.
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If you get a chance check out the 12/26/79 UJB. The solo is amongs of the most emotive playing I've heard from Jerry. Ooops, this was meant in reply to the first post on UJB. I thought it would just go to that person.
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Jack Straw -- 01/11/79Scarlet>Fire - 05/17/77 The Eleven - 03/01/69 Wheel - 03/29/90 China>Rider - 11/14/73 BTW - 11/14/73 Casey Jones - 05/13/72 Mr. Charlie - 05/03/72 1/2 Step - 11/06/77 H>S>F - 02/26/77 Touch - 11/10/85 Just to name a few.
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best ever for me was the 2nd set opener at Roosevelt on 8/06/74 included on the recent Dicks Picks.
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Other One - MSG '79 Soooo much energy ! (At least on my Tape) Mission In the Rain - Boston Music Hall 75? Encore : Satisfaction / Brokedown Palace (My FIRST show and in TAPERS SECTION) MSG 3/10/81 Also Shakedown 1982 Philly Spectrum is a favorit of mine...
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China Rider 9-11-731/2 Step 9-11-73 Saturday Night Dead Movie Bird Song 8-27-72, Reckoning Dark Star 12-31-78, DP 2, 11-11-73 Eyes Dead Movie Music Never Stopped DP 18 Peggy-O 12-27-77 Row Jimmy 5-8-77 Comes A Time DP 29 They Love Each Other DP 18 Truckin' 11-06-77 Brokedown Palace Dead Set Black Peter 4-14-78, 9-21-72
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The Wheel from The Fox in Atlanta. 11-30-80 Can't be topped. You must listen to the space into it. Dougles
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There are so manyand they change so often I am always finding a version of "x" song I love more than another. And there is the "live vs version" However Shakedown - 3.30.87 Ripple - 9.3.88 come immedately to mind. Rats, gotta get back to the mine............ Cheers! JG “The Omnipotent Grateful Dead!” - unknown
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Favorite Blow Away (2 actually): Riverfront Coliseum 4/89 - dude got caught up in the moment during the Brent rap and got on stage, had to be escorted off. 10/26/89 - right after Estimated and right before Dark Star, weird placement and an over the top versionFavorite Estimated (2 again): the aforementioned 10/26/89 - some spacey jamming before they open set 2 with it. 9/2/80 - a spiraling solo from Jer that I wish would never end. Favorite Bertha: 12/31/87 - the band comes out firing, great solo "Got a few wrinkles but that's OK, hang out in the breeze and they'll blow away"
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but Brent singing "I Will Take You Home" to his little girl at the Shoreline Father's Day show was a moment I don't think anybody there is likely to forget. Dang, I miss Brent too.
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For starters: Lazy Lightnin'>Supplication 5/15/80 (Go To Nassau) - amazing!!! Playing In the Band 10/19/73 (DP19) - Drops into deep space so quickly - no filler- perfect. It Must have Been the Roses - 4/24/78 (Tapers Section) - great pick Dave Loser - 3/24/90 (Tapers Section) - I was lucky enough to be there.
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Heres my short list:2/27/69 Fillmore West The definitive version 4/8/72 Wembly Empire Pool Amazing!! 8/27/72 Veneta Or. Scary & sublime 9/19/70 Fillmore East Best "Feelin' Groovy" Jam 11/8/70 Capitol Theatre Port Chester NY Into Main Ten>Dancin' The Deads finest hour 9/24/72 Goes into some sort of demented hoe-down & China/Rider 2/13/70 Fillmore East Another definitive version 11/11/73 Winterland Long, strange & definatley a trip 12/6/73 Cleveland Convention Center In tune with the cosmos
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DP 35, disc 1 Hard to Handle cooks...Phil throws down some amazing lines behind PigPen (and a smokin' Cumberland follows)... and check out Medley on DP 12 as Frank Zappa said, Trust me, you'll love it...
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08-23-68 shrine auditoriumwhen you have a 30 mile drive into houston on 45 south going 70-80mph...this is the song! it is so blistering it's not even funny! it's amazing to hear this band synch up like they've been playing this same version for years. truely one of my favs of dead music! when it's just jerry and the drummers playing always floors me. true musical communication! i remember finding this on a bootleg cd that consisted of cuts off gans' dead hour in the '90's. i think it was called "the jerry garcia memorial". take care!
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9-20-90 It's the reason I am on this site now.
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9/3/77 For years this song never made much of an impression on me. Until this version opened me up to it. Also NFA from this show is definitely #1
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I have to concur with the previous post. The NFA from Englishtown is definitely the best all time version! Also the Estimated->Eyes has to be among the best ever pairing of the two. Espesially the Eyes! "The bottle was dusty but the liquor was clean."
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eyes of the world 6-17-91,blow away 3-25-90
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cosmic charlie 5-2-70
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Hard to Handle - tie: 4/28/71 and 4/29/71Eyes of the World - 10/19/74 I Know You Rider - 5/2/70 Bertha - 3/21/94 Good Lovin' - 4/17/71 The Weight - 3/28/90 Sugaree - 5/22/77 (many from that year are a close second) I tried to think of a best version of Dark Star, but it is such a complex and crazy tune that I think it deserves its own seperate thread... Rick Do or do not; there is no try.
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I spent about 4 days searching through my old tapes, casettes and reel to reels, searching for some Looks like Rain I had seen way back when... the one that seemed to last forever... finally, right before the old board got cut off, I found the one... or was it just ab\nother really grate version? we may never know. all things seemed to go on forever that night. 10/17/84 another reason to bring the old board's content back, hint hint... I had to look through all my tapes AGAIN because I spaced on the one I found a couple of weeks ago... ( -; peace. "The highway is for gamblers, you'd better use your sense. Take what you have gathered from coincidence"
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I love that DS, GrayFolded - especially with the Deal chaser - KILLER!!! "From day to day, just lettin' it ride, You get so far away from how it feels inside, You can't let go, 'cause you're afraid to fall, But the day may come when you can't feel at all."
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Would have to say that the Lake Placid sugaree in '83 is the all-time greatest version of this song.
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I seem to recall that Sugaree - I think 10/17/83 was one of the first tapes I ever got. Sort of a tinny audience tape, like many were in those days.12/28/79 is a great Sugaree, as are several of the loooong versions from 1977. Also there's a show Hornsby did in maybe 96 or 97 in which Weir showed up for Sugaree. That's a good one. Later in the show Phil came out too. "Got a few wrinkles but that's OK, hang out in the breeze and they'll blow away"
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From the recently released Cow Palace NYE 1976--I've had that tape since '77--still holds up after every listen
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Looks Like Rain - 4-2-90Eyes of the World - 10-1-77 Lovelight - 3-29-90 Iko Iko - 2-29-90 Morning Dew - 5-8-77 Jack Straw - 12-29-77 Beautiful Jam 2-18-71 (between Wharf Rat and 2nd part of Dark Star) ok apparently I like 90 and 77 a lot...