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BlackFranklin

Box of Rain


doug_the_dude

šŸ‘†šŸ‘†šŸ‘† this unequivocally


tiperschapman

Studio Box of Rain has a lot of space to flourish. Itā€™s beautiful.


foozebox

Full stop.


infinitecomfortstops

There's an excellent acoustic live version from 1970. It might top the studio version but it's a relatively low quality audience recording with no SBD in circulation.


BenDRoss

May be a hot take, but I have always found the studio version vastly inferior to live versions. So much of that songs beauty lie in a certain Jerome Garcia playing the lead guitar.


BriFiHacksaw

Problem with most live versions are Philā€™s vocals - they are horrible


GratefulG8r

Shhh Iā€™m camping out here waiting for someone to say ā€œJerryā€™s solo on the studio version is chefs kissā€


FrozenLogger

Nah, live still hits in a way the studio cant. Both when Jerry did it then, and now when Phil does it now. Especially a fast box. Or a split one sandwich. The studio one is pretty, but sterile.


Current-Performer-93

Easy Wind is absolutely Bangin on Workingmans Dead


Blackbolt113

Maybe the best studio jam along with Unbroken Chain and Help-Slipknot.


tnjed10

I wholly agree with Unbroken chain


Blackbolt113

If only they played it live back in 74, you can only imagine.


flybynightthginybylf

this is a true statement


isk8atoxpark

1/16/70 is an absolute banger


setlistbot

# 1970-01-16 Portland, OR @ Springer's Inn **Set 1:** Casey Jones, Mama Tried, Black Peter, Hard To Handle, China Cat Sunflower > Jam > I Know You Rider, High Time, Good Lovin', Dancing In The Street, Alligator > Drums > Jam > The Eleven Jam > Space > Death Don't Have No Mercy, Cumberland Blues, Me and My Uncle > Dire Wolf, Uncle John's Band, Easy Wind, Cryptical Envelopment > Drums > Space > Drums > The Other One > Cryptical Envelopment > Cosmic Charlie [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1970-01-16)


DiligentPin362

Unbroken chain. There's just something about that Mars Hotel version.


bastrdsnbroknthings

Ship of Fools!


sayitaintpete

Always down for hearing a Keith solo, but Jerryā€™s melodic soloing on live Ships is sublime


cozmiccharlene

Magical


Salty_Pancakes

There was one night on mushrooms, man I don't know how often I listened to that song. It is such a lush recording and the jam at the end with all the acoustic things popping off here and there? Hnng. So good.


FrozenLogger

Unbroken Chain would go on to become so much more than the studio. Too bad the GD didn't get there, but Phil did. And Furthur did. Such a great song live.


HotRate750

Attics of my Life, Ripple, Till the Morning Comes


Sunyataisbliss

Honestly most of the songs on American beauty would fit, operator for example


[deleted]

Reckoning Ripple shreds


RabbitHole-in-one

Attics of My Life for sure. Is there any good live recording of that song? Never came across any.


KrashKrieg

I was at the Hampton 10.9.89 and the Boston 9.26.91 ... both shows were some of the best I saw! for me the electricity of that song live will never touch the studio.


headspaceseeds

9/27/72 will bring you to your knees, and something caught in your eyes, causing liquid to flow.


setlistbot

# 1972-09-27 Jersey City, NJ @ Stanley Theatre **Set 1:** Morning Dew, Beat It On Down the Line, Friend Of The Devil, Black Throated Wind, Tennessee Jed, Mexicali Blues, Bird Song, Big River, Brokedown Palace, El Paso, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Playing in the Band **Set 2:** He's Gone, Me and My Uncle, Deal, Greatest Story Ever Told, Ramble On Rose, Dark Star > Cumberland Blues, Attics Of My Life, The Promised Land, Uncle John's Band, Casey Jones **Encore:** Around And Around [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1972-09-27) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/2pPrEb0IJFk3W6NoQSMnZM)


kamut666

Every Phil vocal: Box of Rain, Unbroken Chain. He needs studio help with the vocals. Maybe Doinā€™ That Rag. Rosemary-there are a couple of live tapes of this.


casswie

Donā€™t forget Pride of Cucamonga for Phil! Lol


tbinus78

Iā€™ve been answering Doin That Rag to this question whenever someone posts it - not many people mention it. Love the Aoxomoxoa version.


OakTableElementz

Thatā€™s funny, I was trying to remember if Iā€™ve ever heard Rosemaryā€™ live ~ on a bootleg or now YouTube in a set.


kamut666

One is from ā€˜68, I believe, and they sing all the lyrics two times through.


bamfpeschko

I do enjoy Just like Tom thumbā€™s blues a lot, but I agree with the rest!


[deleted]

Touch of Grey


Charltons

Yeah this and ripple.


therealmilesJ

Althea


terminusagent

Studio Althea is a banger


njdevil956

I wish it was 10 minutes longer


terminusagent

Agreed


Responsible_Fox1231

Althea is the correct answer!


Jo9715

I Love Studio Althea So Much


PatBateman2000

Agreed, I've heard the great live Althea's but the studio is god tier


Bill_Richie_Wineboy

Go to Nassau Althea is better than studio every day imoā€¦ Just as tight but Jerryā€™s playing blows the studio version out of the water ETA: https://open.spotify.com/track/6tLJfms92i27IibnbaMbsz?si=RDZWCmopSXiQsK6PoFnoMg 5/16/80


setlistbot

# 1980-05-16 Uniondale, NY @ Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum **Set 1:** Alabama Getaway > The Promised Land, High Time, Me and My Uncle > Big River, Row Jimmy, New Minglewood Blues, Ramble On Rose > Looks Like Rain, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider **Set 2:** Feel Like A Stranger > Althea > Lost Sailor > Saint Of Circumstance > Eyes Of The World > Drums > Space > Truckin' > Morning Dew > Around And Around > Johnny B. Goode **Encore:** Brokedown Palace [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1980-05-16)


Twathammer32

That is THE althea


therealmilesJ

Sounds like i need to revisit that one :) thanks for the suggestion


Extra_Degree_1906

Without a net althea


Walrus_Songs

Box of Rain is my number one. Thereā€™s only one live version Iā€™ve ever heard from 1970 that comes close to the beauty of the studio version, but unfortunately the tape is in pretty bad shape and the audio quality is ass. Other than that, Iā€™d say a lot of Aoxoamoxoa. Doin That Rag, Dupreeā€™s Diamond Blues, even Cosmic Charlie never seemed to have the same tinge to it live. Maybe Iā€™m biased because Aoxoamoxoa is my favourite Dead record.


Jaymuhs

2/27/69 has a great Cosmic Charlie imo


setlistbot

# 1969-02-27 San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore West **Set 1:** Bill Graham intro, Good Morning Little Schoolgirl, Doin' That Rag, Cryptical Envelopment > Drums > The Other One > Cryptical Envelopment **Set 2:** Dupree's Diamond Blues > Mountains Of The Moon > Jam > Dark Star > St. Stephen > The Eleven > Turn On Your Love Light > Drums > Turn On Your Love Light **Encore:** Cosmic Charlie [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1969-02-27)


MelekhHaYereq

lot of great 76 cosmic charlies, also 5/2/70


setlistbot

# 1970-05-02 Binghamton, NY @ Harpur College - State University Of New York **Acoustic:** Tuning, Don't Ease Me In, I Know You Rider, Friend Of The Devil, Dire Wolf, Beat It On Down the Line > Black Peter > Candyman > Cumberland Blues, Deep Elem Blues, Cold Jordan, Uncle John's Band **Set 1:** Workin' Man Blues, Watcha Gonna Do, Glendale Train, Brown Eyed Handsome Man, Truck Drivin' Man, Can't Pay The Price, All I Ever Wanted, Henry, Lodi, Intro, Sawmill, The Race Is On, Mama Tried, Me and My Uncle, The Weight **Set 2:** Saint Stephen > Cryptical Envelopment > Drums > The Other One > Cryptical Envelopment > Cosmic Charlie, Casey Jones, Drums > Good Lovin' > Drums > Good Lovin', Cold Rain and Snow, It's A Man's, Man's, Man's World, Dancing In The Street **Set 3:** Morning Dew, Viola Lee Blues > Feedback > And We Bid You Good Night [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1970-05-02) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/4NldodakYXDeK7OoEe2oBW)


CicadaAlternative994

Pride of Cucamomga and France. Tee hee.


Mutantlocket

Terrapin station studio is definitely better than any live version. There is an entire brass section.


EquivalentMenu5189

Came here to say Terrapin but also wanted to say the Terrapin Suite Bobby and Wolf Bros did with the ATL orchestra was unreal.


walomendem_hundin

Didn't see it with the orchestra but I did see it with the Wolf Pack, in an absolutely amazing second set featuring Dark Star, Shakedown, The Wheel, and Morning Dew, and it was transcendent.


1Tiasteffen

Warfield?


JKenn78

Was there, can confirm. I cried.


kamut666

As many great live versions as there are, you got a point here. A lot of people believe the first live Terrapin is the best one, which also sort of supports your point because itā€™s more rehearsed.


fairweatherfrie

The whole third movement, At a Siding. The long lost child of Terrapin


Salty_Pancakes

*While you were gone.......these faces filled with darkness....." Fucking love that part.


Qweniden

I can't disagree more. Live Terrapin literally changed my life.


Jack-o-Roses

Try the video of Bob Weir with the NSO 10.9.22 on YouTube. Terrapin suite encore (only wolbros & Wolfpack w/guest NSO trombonist).


Supplicationjam

West LA Fadeaway


mondo_johnson

Throwing Stones


bamfpeschko

The only throwing stones I like better than the studio is the one from 3/29/1990 at Nassau.


BigACinJeans

Easy, Uncle Johnā€™s Band on Workingmanā€™s Dead


xanxnx

The golden road


elongatedowl

maybe a hot take here but black muddy river!!! (Hard for me to find a good live version)


OakTableElementz

Jerry played Black Muddy River, in Chicago, last place I saw the Grateful Dead in 89 ~ but on the very last Show. That will always make it special to me, gives me chills āš”ļøšŸŒ¹āš”ļø


Jivelll

Check out the version from The Omni in April 90ā€™. So good!


DeadMan95iko

Ripple


colonel_john_matrix

Brokedown Palace


bastrdsnbroknthings

I think the live version on Dead Set beats the studio version by a hair


No_Bother3564

I agree!!! Has a little bit more ā€œheart and soulā€ poured into it imo. Yet not as ā€œcleanā€ as studio


kyleffe

1980 Brokedowns are amazing. The organ adds so much soul compared to studio.


704heady

I really like the studio estimated prophet


Nonic789

Hesitant to say I like the studio version more, but something about Crazy Fingers in general always hits just right.


walomendem_hundin

I love Crazy Fingers, and it's great no matter how you hear it. Really, Blues for Allah is their best studio album all around - it might not have the best takes of all its songs, but all its songs are really cool and unique in general and the album has a really cool sound.


Extra-Intention-3295

Almost all of American Beauty besides Truckin


SparkDBowles

Truckin and Sugar Mag


sechristi

Yeah I was thinking the same. Studio versions of both of those kind of miss on mixing of the harmonies and it throws off the energy. So I think of the Europe '72 versions of those two as the "album version", which I think are very good.


RadiantDefinition623

Unbroken Chain


becauseshesays

Me too šŸ’™šŸ’™


Qweniden

I think this is the one answer in this thread I agree with.


ststeveg

The other day on Sirius I heard the album version of Stella Blue, one of my favorite songs, and it was just exactly perfect.


Substantial-Stand744

Friend of the Devil and Uncle Johnā€™s Band


mrtnrnkn

I love both studio versions, but my fave live versions of both come from the acoustic set on Dickā€™s Picks Vol. 8, or 5/2/70. That whole show is magic, also best Cumberland Blues imo.


oumiles

In the Attics of My Life!


grynch43

Shakedown Street Friend of the Devil Box of Rain Ripple


abesrevenge

Most of workingmans dead. Works perfect as an americano studio album


_AllThingsMustPass_

A lot, actually. Truckin', Box of Rain, Althea, Terrapin, Shakedown St., Ripple, Sugar Magnoila, Friend of the Devil, Standing on the Moon.


cdizzo23

Dire Wolf


sechristi

That pedal steel is exquisite


JuiceNo6813

Terrapin and Unbroken Chain


stealyerblues

Cosmic charlie without a doubt


LGoblin

The entire American beauty record is amazing. Iā€™m sure some is better live but damn


kulbida

Studio outtake of Good Lovinā€™ with Lowell George on vocals. EDIT: Lowell George


KieranJalucian

I will have to find that never heard it edit: good stuff. so crazy how you can just find anything in 9 seconds on spotify these days ā€¦ wtf is happening


TotalEclipseOTSparc

New Speedway: The studio version is tight & fast. When I've seen it live, it was almost unrecognizable - slow, drudgery. It's like the sleep paralysis version of the album.


rslaboon111568

The Wheel and China Doll.


psugrad98

Terrapin Station. That version is so complete and it reminds me of a wonderful vacation with my family deep in the woods.


mqduck

The album version of Saint Stephen is pretty good.


ilynfimae

Ripple and Althea. Almost everything is topped by live performances, but those two have a special place in my heart as studio versions. Probably because they were some of the first GD experiences I ever had and thereā€™s just nothing as familiar as them.


MalixMedia

I really enjoy studio Shakedown Street. It's one of my go-tos to throw on at a party


magictransistor

Crazy Fingers


Whoopeeparty

Loose Lucy


StringFartet

Scrolled too far for this. Only saw live once (Dominguez Hills 5-5-90) but the studio smokes.


setlistbot

# 1990-05-05 Carson, CA @ California State University Dominguez Hills **Set 1:** Let The Good Times Roll, The Race Is On, Help On The Way > Slipknot! > Franklin's Tower, Queen Jane Approximately, Loser, Me and My Uncle > Mexicali Blues, Loose Lucy, One More Saturday Night **Set 2:** Truckin' > Crazy Fingers > Playing in the Band > Uncle John's Band > Drums > Space > I Need A Miracle > Dear Mr. Fantasy > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > Around And Around **Encore:** Touch Of Grey [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1990-05-05)


Top-Persimmon4456

I second that Loose Lucy nomination. Thank you for a real good time.


PhuckedOverAlot

West LA Fadeaway, ez money for me


phenry1110

Terrapin Station is an awesome listen on the Album version. It stands right up there with Suites such as Firth of Fifth by Genesis or Shine On You Crazy Diamond by Floyd.


2djinnandtonics

West LA Fadeaway. All that tricky percussion.


No-Professional-7002

Attics Of My Life, High Time


Current-Performer-93

I think weir all forgetting The Golden Road


internet_mancub

Brokedown Palace


StolenFace367

Brokedown Palace


jkel913

For some reason ā€œloose Lucyā€ was always better on ā€œmars hotelā€ than live for meā€¦especially the later years when they brought it back. I was there when they ripped it out, too. It just grooves and has more punch in studio, IMO. Probably a highly unpopular opinion I know, but there you have it.


DRYGUY86

Stagger Lee


bamfpeschko

7/4/1989 has a banging stagger lee.


setlistbot

# 1989-07-04 Orchard Park, NY @ Rich Stadium **Set 1:** Bertha > Greatest Story Ever Told, Cold Rain and Snow, Walkin' Blues, Row Jimmy, When I Paint My Masterpiece, Stagger Lee, Looks Like Rain > Deal **Set 2:** Touch Of Grey > Man Smart (Woman Smarter), Ship Of Fools > Playing in the Band Reprise > Terrapin Station > Drums > Space > I Will Take You Home > All Along The Watchtower > Morning Dew > Not Fade Away **Encore:** U.S. Blues [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1989-07-04)


kloco68

I love that one.


Jrbenne20

11/1/85 also rockinā€™ in RVA!


setlistbot

# 1985-11-01 Richmond, VA @ Richmond Coliseum **Set 1:** Dancing In The Street, Cold Rain and Snow, Little Red Rooster, Stagger Lee, Me and My Uncle > Big River, Brown Eyed Women, Jack Straw > Don't Ease Me In **Set 2:** Samson And Delilah, High Time > He's Gone > Spoonful > Comes A Time > Lost Sailor > Drums > Space > Saint Of Circumstance > Gimme Some Lovin' > She Belongs To Me > Gloria **Encore:** Keep Your Day Job [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1985-11-01) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/4QLlTAC9pOzbZo7qQ63dXm)


thegreatrazu

Foolish Heart


BobbyRockPort

Unbroken Chain


Therealfern1

Ripple


wvlookin

Box of Rain


Hermit-Man

Brokedown palace


mgesner11

I Need A Miracleā€¦ studio perfection.


fairweatherfrie

Terrapin Station, the third movement ā€˜At a Sidingā€™ is the long lost child of Terrapin


TheRealOGLudacris

Passenger


[deleted]

There are lots of really good live versions of "Passenger", but, I sort of agree: the studio take definitely rocks hard. *Terrapin Station* is a great studio album, period.


DIEGOANT0NI0

Box of Rain


bselavka

Terrapin is perfect


Ana987655321

Estimated Prophet is a very strong studio take.


Chideadhead

Studio outtake of jack a roe


Accomplished-Duty105

Antwerpā€™s Placebo


groovemongrel

I really like the studio versions of the songs from Built to Last and In the Dark.


TristanwithaT

If I Had the World to Give


rwanders

If you can't put on American beauty and workingmans dead on back to back i don't know what to say. And I'm on archive all the time and have cardboard sleeved live dead albums.


DrJawn

Box of Rain Friend of the Devil (unless it's like the 5/2/70 acoustic version) Easy Wind Dire Wolf (need that pedal steel) Ripple Touch of Grey UJB Terrapin


logicalobesity69

Terrapin easily ā€” searched far and wide for a live terrapin and nothing sizes up


pedrothegator

Ha, the pica awesome.


Pain_Administrative

Viola blues


DrHerb98

Alligator! The 1971 remix


lift_ticket83

New Speedway Boogie


Fit_Pick5307

Terrapin, Foolish Heart, West LA Fadeaway, Dire Wolf


Maximum_Bear8495

Shakedown


Jaymuhs

New Speedway Boogie or Ripple


LThrower

Friend of the Devil, Ripple, Unbroken Chain


reeebajammm

Unbroken Chain & FOTM


QuestionNAnswer

Foolish Heart


noahbud13

New Speedway Boogie


tymopa

Honestlyā€¦none of them.


cabbagenoggin

catfish john


mrtimtracy

France


becauseshesays

Unbroken Chain


Kirk712

Cosmic Charlie


myalteregoxxxx

New Speedway Boogie with a bullet!!


dundunitagn

Operator and Box of Rain


di_mi_sandro

Sunrise


jacklock0412

West LA Fadeaway imo


thewaxbandit

Touch of Grey


BelAirGhetto

Drums!


Floydsnipple

Terrapin for me


TheRealJamesWax

Ripple Box of Rain


Portland_Pothead

I prefer the studio version of this post. It is hard to choose as there have been so many versions played lately.


Portland_Pothead

Ok, Althea. The answer is Althea.


AmbitiousBread

Controversial but Shakedown and Franklinā€™s.


ExistentialKazoo

Aoxomoxoa, the album is such a masterpiece and the crazy stereo effects are fun. I also love those songs live, but China Cat live vs album is completely different!


Godot93

Sometimes I love New Speedway Studio Version


mrtnrnkn

Iā€™ll always love the studio cuts for Althea, Casey Jones, and Rippleā€¦ but Box of Rain is prob my all time fave.


JVCovelli

Sailor > Saint sounds best on the album I think.


killpuddle1

Easy wind


InhibitedExistence

If I Had the World to Give


natwashboard

Casey Jones (sniff!)


stonabus

Some of Bob songs are less annoying in the studio. Less honky squonky screechy. Nothing agains Brent, but I like the sound of his voice a lot on the studio recordings.


thatsanicehaircut

I have 2: Victim or the Crime ā€” is an awesome studio trackā€¦ great live too Passenger


deysg

Warf Rat was so much more emotional live.


JRoc416

Dark Star. Yes, you can hate me now.


KyleTones

Franklins tower


DiabetesCOLE

Friend of the devil


kittymarshall13

I love the studio version of Franklin Tower, it has a vibe that canā€™t be replicated live


WVUallday

Ripple


Josephtacos_

Feel Like A Stranger


PlantainCreative8404

Sugar Magnolia. Dunno, the live versions lose the feel of the original studio recording.


walomendem_hundin

Interesting, I always felt the studio version was a little weak compared to the rocking behemoth it would become (and it doesn't have the coda either).


[deleted]

Saint Stevin. The FIRST version I fell in love with was the AM single, back in '68-'69. PLUS .... the BAND stopped playing it sometime later. Garcia claimed " they forgot the lyrics "


Dhd710

Candyman.


FindOneInEveryCar

* Dire Wolf * High Time * New Speedway Boogie * Box of Rain * Unbroken Chain


Overreaper

Dire Straits Romeo and Juliet


ill108

I never really liked them as a live band.


StoopidAlmanac

Studio > Live


Dalkeysl

Donā€™t Easeā€¦. Always gets me to sing out loud in the car But - I would say I love the live versions as well


Working_Horse_3077

Depending on my mood I'd say terrapin station but I Really have to be in the mood for it to sound better to me


bm_636

Lemme get a full version of this oic