Grateful Dead best ever China Cat Sunflower> I Know You Rider The Final 4! m2

First round of the final four is done: We took down @Stone Turntable and his minions - Des Moines 74 has reached the finals, taking out the greatest studio version ever from Europe 72! Time to determine with whom it will battle for the crown of greatest version ever as this week Veneta 72 takes on Portland 74.

5/19/74 Portland got here by defeating Felt Forum 71 and Winterland 73. 8/27/72 Veneta got here by beating Alpine 89 and Winterland 74.

Portland’s version can be found on the Pacific Northwest box set (as well as the sampler disc called Believe It If You Need It) and Veneta is found on the Sunshine Daydream release.

If you don’t own those, we will wait while you go order them. OK, you’re back? While you wait for shipping, here are links for those without:

archive.org/details/gd72-08-27.sbd.braverman.16582.sbefail.shnf

archive.org/details/gd1974-05-19.sbd.miller.116983.flac16

If you want to review the last match, here is a link:

Final four matchup 1: Grateful Dead best ever China Cat Sunflower> I Know You Rider The Final 4! m1

Please choose your preferred version and leave any and all commentary

 

This is a tough one but Veneta is the best of 1972, and I'm going with it

 

long day at work - sorry for not posting the updated bracket earlier

 

This is a tough one and I could easily make a case for either. 5/19/74 feels like a more sophisticated transition with the aforementioned exuberance to boot, which would normally carry the day. But I’m going with Veneta based on the whole package plus its intangibles, which is essentially that joyous ‘72 quality that is dripping all over it.

 

Since I missed the last thread on the "left bracket", where can I find the Des Moines version? (assuming it's been released commercially?)

 

Road Trips 2.3

 

Veneta by a very slim margin.

 

I love them both, but I like Portland just that little bit more.

 

I call shenanigans!!!

 

the Finals are now live:

Grateful Dead best ever China Cat Sunflower> I Know You Rider The Championship!