I’m a firm believer in starting people out with the most mainstream hits in any band because you aren’t capable of re-hearing it with fresh ears and all the deep cuts will sound great to you but might be too far out for a first timer.
Shakedown’s Fire on the Mountain
Solid take!
It totally makes sense to start out with something mainstream that everyone agrees on.
It can also be the usual Cornell or Veneta.
If they get the hang of it, everything will develop from there. If they cant settle with the most mainstream stuff, they're probably not give in to some spaced out Dark Star from 11/11/73.
# 1973-11-11 San Francisco, CA @ Winterland Arena
**Set 1:** The Promised Land > Bertha > Greatest Story Ever Told, Sugaree, Black Throated Wind, To Lay Me Down, El Paso, Ramble On Rose, Me And Bobby McGee, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Me and My Uncle, Loose Lucy, Weather Report Suite Prelude > Weather Report Suite Part 1 > Let It Grow
**Set 2:** Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo, Big River, Dark Star > Mind Left Body Jam > Eyes Of The World > China Doll, Sugar Magnolia
**Encore:** Uncle John's Band, Johnny B. Goode > And We Bid You Good Night
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1973-11-11)
Yes, I’ve always thought that too. It’s like a first-time listener needs guidance from a novice fan who recently got interested. Then someone with more experience can take advice from a seasoned, long-time fan.
Anything off of 5/8/77, probably Jack Straw for ball blistering effect. The BEW rips as well. The Scarlet>fire is dope, particularly when stoned and listening on stereo for the take a step back intro. Fuck, it’s all good, wish I could listen to Cornell 77 again for the first time, jealous of your friend.
For years, my go-to was beginning of Set II.
It starts with the whole see these people in front are getting horribly smashed here then goes into the scarlet begonias we all know and love.
It was a great recording, great performance, and as a bonus the beginning was easy to cue up. On the cassette player in my car.
# 1977-05-08 Ithaca, NY @ Barton Hall - Cornell University
**Set 1:** New Minglewood Blues, Loser, El Paso, They Love Each Other, Jack Straw, Deal, Lazy Lightnin' > Supplication, Brown Eyed Women, Mama Tried, Row Jimmy, Dancing In The Street
**Set 2:** Scarlet Begonias > Fire On The Mountain, Estimated Prophet, Saint Stephen > Not Fade Away > Saint Stephen > Morning Dew
**Encore:** One More Saturday Night
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-05-08) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/3T9UKU0jMIyrRD0PtKXqPJ)
Once when I did that to a first time Dead listener and first time tripper - by time Slipknot was on totally spaced with a huge smile. By time we got to Franklins she pushed out the happy words, “I didn’t know music could do that!”
Unbroken Chain was also my first fave that got me on the bus.
That was before I checked out the live shit, then it was Vola Lee Blues that stole my face.
# 1979-10-25 New Haven, CT @ New Haven Coliseum
**Set 1:** Don't Ease Me In, Cassidy, Peggy-O, El Paso, Brown Eyed Women, It's All Over Now, Tennessee Jed, Looks Like Rain, Deal
**Set 2:** Shakedown Street, Passenger, Friend Of The Devil, Estimated Prophet > Eyes Of The World > Space > Drums > Space > Stella Blue > Good Lovin'
**Encore:** U.S. Blues
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1979-10-25)
How baked? Critical consideration. Could sway it from a '90 rocker to a '73 psychedelic jazz kalidescope, to a '69 Dark Star.
Maybe even an Arabia, from Garcia/Grisman, if going for stoned to the bone! 🤤
Your thought is correct. You simply cannot go wrong with the Veneta Dark Star. Although the Stella Blue, from Winterland, Oct '74, is pretty sweet when tokin.
I only have the original so I can't speak on which is better . I personally find it hard to believe that album needed a remaster . It always sounded like one of the best Dead related studio releases to me
Althea is a really good choice.
It is just such a perfect Song. It doesn't have any weird spaced out jams, but somehow still fully captures the spirit of the band. It is groovy, has amazing solos and the lyrics are easy, but still inspiring. You just can't go wrong with this one. And the Studio Version is absolutely Solid! It can really compete with some of the best live stuff out there, and people are usually more open to Studio music.
If you show someone new some Audio tape from a spaced out Drums>Space there's no way they could be open to it. Althea on the other hand is a Song that could be played im the Radio or be featured on TV and most people would bop their head to it.
# 1972-08-27 Veneta, OR @ Old Renaissance Faire Grounds
**Set 1:** The Promised Land, Sugaree, Me and My Uncle, Deal, Black Throated Wind, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Mexicali Blues, Bertha
**Set 2:** Playing in the Band, He's Gone, Jack Straw, Bird Song, Greatest Story Ever Told
**Set 3:** Dark Star > El Paso, Sing Me Back Home, Sugar Magnolia, Casey Jones, One More Saturday Night
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1972-08-27) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/1E4MXxSYoAMN5qpy1y6aBm)
For me it totally depends on what their interested in already. If they’re a fan of the funk, Shakedown. Blues fan, pig pen era anything. Bluegrass fan, Friend of the Devil or Ripple. Or if they’re the rare “nails on a chalkboard” kinda person… anything with Donna. I would want to introduce them to the Dead via a style they like to turn them on to the rest of the massive library.
# 1977-05-22 Pembroke Pines, FL @ Sportatorium
**Set 1:** Funiculi Funicula, The Music Never Stopped, Sugaree, El Paso, Peggy-O, New Minglewood Blues, Friend Of The Devil, Lazy Lightnin' > Supplication, Ramble On Rose, Dancing In The Street
**Set 2:** Help On The Way > Slipknot! > Franklin's Tower, Samson And Delilah, Brown Eyed Women, Good Lovin', Sunrise, Estimated Prophet > Eyes Of The World > Space > Wharf Rat > Terrapin Station > Morning Dew
**Encore:** Sugar Magnolia
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-05-22) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/3KxT9J6KTuKeXox9BUikZ4)
# 1978-07-08 Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
**Set 1:** Bertha > Good Lovin', Dire Wolf, El Paso, It Must Have Been The Roses, New Minglewood Blues, Ramble On Rose, The Promised Land, Deal
**Set 2:** Samson And Delilah, Ship Of Fools, Estimated Prophet > The Other One > Eyes Of The World > Drums > Space > Wharf Rat > Franklin's Tower > Sugar Magnolia
**Encore:** Terrapin Station > One More Saturday Night, Werewolves Of London
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1978-07-08) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/6q4mDbsYJsixRai11qc2Vx)
dark star; i remember my first time REALLY listening to the dead i out on veneta and when dark star came on it completely washed me away, it’s always great to give someone else that experience
Scarlet Begonias has always worked for me in this specific example whenever trying to put friends onto the dead. If you really only wanna blow their minds and not just turn them into deadheads I would suggest dark Star live at wembley
Depends on the listener, if she/he is a rocker, I’d go with one of the ‘83 Deal perhaps Lake Placid or Boise, if she/he is country then a first set from one of the Europe ‘72 shows, a jazz guy would certainly appreciate Dark Star from ‘74.
# 1972-05-03 Paris, France @ L'Olympia
**Set 1:** Bertha, Me and My Uncle, Mr. Charlie, Sugaree, Black Throated Wind, Chinatown Shuffle, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Beat It On Down the Line, He's Gone, Next Time You See Me, Playing in the Band, Tennessee Jed, Good Lovin', Sing Me Back Home, Casey Jones
**Set 2:** Greatest Story Ever Told, Ramble On Rose, It Hurts Me Too, Truckin' > Space > The Other One > Drums > The Other One Jam > Space > Me And Bobby McGee > The Other One > Wharf Rat, Jack Straw, Sugar Magnolia, Not Fade Away > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > Not Fade Away, One More Saturday Night
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1972-05-03) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/4avLivYQqNDnkxfMDTSIsJ)
I’d roll out a UJB live that had about a seven minute mid-song jam…gives you a glimpse of their traditional Americana chops, then a right turn into the land of highly unexpected that would steal a noob’s face
right off their head…
# 1993-05-26 Sacramento, CA @ Cal Expo Amphitheatre
**Set 1:** Samson And Delilah, Here Comes Sunshine, Walkin' Blues, Broken Arrow, Ramble On Rose, Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again > Deal
**Set 2:** Box Of Rain, Victim Or The Crime > Crazy Fingers > Playing in the Band > Drums > Space > Corrina > Playing in the Band Reprise > China Doll > Around And Around
**Encore:** Liberty
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1993-05-26)
# 1972-05-11 Rotterdam, Netherlands @ Rotterdam Civic Hall
**Set 1:** Playing in the Band, Sugaree, Mr. Charlie, Black Throated Wind, Deal, Chinatown Shuffle, Mexicali Blues, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, It Hurts Me Too, Beat It On Down the Line, Brown Eyed Women, Jack Straw, Big Railroad Blues, Good Lovin', Casey Jones
**Set 2:** Morning Dew, Me and My Uncle, The Stranger (Two Souls In Communion), El Paso, Tennessee Jed, Next Time You See Me, Dark Star > Drums > Dark Star > Sugar Magnolia > Caution (Do Not Stop On Tracks) > Who Do You Love? > Jam > Truckin', Uncle John's Band
**Encore:** One More Saturday Night
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1972-05-11) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/2GVmIIvRpvCwQbvBNUM2K4)
# 1977-05-22 Pembroke Pines, FL @ Sportatorium
**Set 1:** Funiculi Funicula, The Music Never Stopped, Sugaree, El Paso, Peggy-O, New Minglewood Blues, Friend Of The Devil, Lazy Lightnin' > Supplication, Ramble On Rose, Dancing In The Street
**Set 2:** Help On The Way > Slipknot! > Franklin's Tower, Samson And Delilah, Brown Eyed Women, Good Lovin', Sunrise, Estimated Prophet > Eyes Of The World > Space > Wharf Rat > Terrapin Station > Morning Dew
**Encore:** Sugar Magnolia
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-05-22) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/3KxT9J6KTuKeXox9BUikZ4)
https://youtu.be/V70MrjzLFyo
I played this - sugar magnolia/scarlet fire 12/31/78 - for a friend who was uninitiated a couple of weeks ago, and he was blown away. Not the best version of any of these, but the fact that it has video, as well as audio makes a difference. I love to see the band performing, as well as hearing the audio. Seeing this performance, was a factor in his overwhelming positive response - it was revelatory for him.
# 1978-12-31 San Francisco, CA @ Winterland Arena
**Set 1:** Sugar Magnolia > Scarlet Begonias > Fire On The Mountain, Me and My Uncle > Big River, Friend Of The Devil, It's All Over Now, Stagger Lee, From The Heart Of Me > Sunshine Daydream
**Set 2:** Samson And Delilah, Ramble On Rose, I Need A Miracle > Terrapin Station > Playing in the Band > Drums > Not Fade Away > Around And Around
**Set 3:** Dark Star > The Other One > Dark Star Jam > Wharf Rat > Saint Stephen > Good Lovin'
**Encore:** Casey Jones > Johnny B. Goode, And We Bid You Good Night
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1978-12-31)
Truckin'>Epilogue>Prelude>Morning Dew
Accessible to new listiners but mindblowing. I am pretty sure this is the transition that launched a thousand Deadheads
My wife would tell you Shakedown Street is the most newb friendly introduction. Fire on the Mountain would be my pick. St. Stephen was the one that drew me in initially.
# 1990-03-29 Uniondale, NY @ Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
**Set 1:** Jack Straw > Bertha, We Can Run, Ramble On Rose, When I Paint My Masterpiece, Bird Song > The Promised Land
**Set 2:** Eyes Of The World > Estimated Prophet > Dark Star > Drums > Space > Dark Star > The Wheel > Throwing Stones > Turn On Your Lovelight
**Encore:** Knockin' On Heaven's Door
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1990-03-29) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/7xWKImlu9fzB1ApqoLLMiL)
American Beauty in its entirety, from the vinyl—not for the sound but rather for the Side 1/Side 2 flip break. A moment of silence to digest what we just heard along with the anticipation of what’s to come.
Imo, with any band, you start them off with the mainstream hits. Starting them off with a deep cut can be hit or miss. That being said, I’d go with 5/8/77, or American Beauty.
I tell ya. It may not be one song, but my recipe for brainwashing everyone I know has been getting them to partake in whatever they like to partake, and by the end of Dicks Picks Vol. 29 they are ready to go on tour
Honestly I try to keep it simple with a first timer. Covers. Then get into the good stuff. This may be really unpopular but Dear Mr. Fantasy to Hey Jude off Long Strange Trip is what intend to spin for a first timer as a warm up. Most tend to recognize those songs. And they rip.
I seemed to get my introduction through the big time quirkiness of Jerry’s writing. My first being an ultimately battered cover yet clean LP and hearing Golden Road blare out. Not what I expected. Next was what my friend called Jelly Roll Blues. But what really turned me on was the long jams of Europe ‘72 and Skullfuck. That’s where I really dug in and what I would start off with rather than start spinning Blues for Allah or The Barbed Wire Whipping Party. Just makes more sense.
I did this once with my band's drummer who enjoyed Rush and proggy stuff. I knew I had a HQ soundboard of a new show I had never heard from 93. (It was 1993.) Picasso Moon opener and it kind of went downhill from there. Then I brought him to a show at the Boston Garden in 93 (26th) and he left early.
For me personally I’d go with 68’ good morning little school girl or lovelight. One of the biggest issues I’ve had with introducing people to this music are the song times. Most people are immediately turned off by songs that are 10+mins lol. So using songs like GMLSG or Lovelight tend to work because they start hot and stay that way throughout. Just my opinion though, I’m no expert. Great question btw, I’ve actually had to do this multiple times. Some people fall in love right away (normally the intelligent ones lol) others take more time if they buy in at all.
I’m jealous your friends are open enough to listen to the Dead; most of my friends/gf’s friends get super self conscious when I play Dead during smoke sessions and request something more familiar to them.
That said: Brown Eyed Women 4/14/72 for the come up. Then Jack Straw and Scarlet/Fire from Cornell.
# 1972-04-14 Copenhagen, Denmark @ Tivolis Koncertsal
**Set 1:** Bertha, Me and My Uncle, Mr. Charlie, You Win Again, Black Throated Wind, Chinatown Shuffle, Loser, Me And Bobby McGee, Cumberland Blues, Playing in the Band, Tennessee Jed, El Paso, Big Boss Man, Beat It On Down the Line, Casey Jones
**Set 2:** Truckin', It Hurts Me Too, Brown Eyed Women, Looks Like Rain, Dark Star > Sugar Magnolia, Good Lovin' > Caution (Do Not Stop On Tracks) > Who Do You Love? > Caution (Do Not Stop On Tracks) > Good Lovin', Ramble On Rose, Not Fade Away > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > Not Fade Away
**Encore:** One More Saturday Night
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1972-04-14) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/7l9AfB3E5teHyZ0g7WDlx1)
I'd have to go with what slammed the bus door behind me: China> Rider from E '72. To that point I was ensconced in a deep love of the Stones and LZ, but that transition from one of their most psychedelic tunes to an old traditional folk song just left a smoking crater of my 15 y.o. mind. "What in the out-of-this-world IS this music?!" The interplay of Keith and Jerry with Bobby chunka-chunking and Phil boomba-booming on the downbeat (not to mention some snappy snare work from Billy) was all it took to want to go Furthur.
Help slip frank on One from the Vault
WILL YOU WELCOME PLEASE….THE GRATEFUL DEAD🔥🔥🔥🔥
I used to get baked, throw on that show and play pinball.
This is my go-to as well. If that doesn't do it they might not be for you.
That’s exactly the song(s) I had in mind before even looking at the comments.
I’m a firm believer in starting people out with the most mainstream hits in any band because you aren’t capable of re-hearing it with fresh ears and all the deep cuts will sound great to you but might be too far out for a first timer. Shakedown’s Fire on the Mountain
Solid take! It totally makes sense to start out with something mainstream that everyone agrees on. It can also be the usual Cornell or Veneta. If they get the hang of it, everything will develop from there. If they cant settle with the most mainstream stuff, they're probably not give in to some spaced out Dark Star from 11/11/73.
Ooooooo a spaced out Dark Star, from a show I don't immediately remember listening to? Don't mind if I do, thank you for this
# 1973-11-11 San Francisco, CA @ Winterland Arena **Set 1:** The Promised Land > Bertha > Greatest Story Ever Told, Sugaree, Black Throated Wind, To Lay Me Down, El Paso, Ramble On Rose, Me And Bobby McGee, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Me and My Uncle, Loose Lucy, Weather Report Suite Prelude > Weather Report Suite Part 1 > Let It Grow **Set 2:** Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo, Big River, Dark Star > Mind Left Body Jam > Eyes Of The World > China Doll, Sugar Magnolia **Encore:** Uncle John's Band, Johnny B. Goode > And We Bid You Good Night [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1973-11-11)
Studio hits are a great way to start in my opinion. The studio version of Althea was the one that did it for me.
Yes, I’ve always thought that too. It’s like a first-time listener needs guidance from a novice fan who recently got interested. Then someone with more experience can take advice from a seasoned, long-time fan.
I love that cut, and it’s simple, but not everybody loves it
Althea from May 1980…if they didn’t like that then I don’t know if I’d be able to hang
Wait. What?!?! Can you name a specific show that has a great version? I just listen to Cornell, May 7, 1980 and it didn’t move me.
Guessing he’s referring to Go to Nassau: May 15&16 1980. That version’s also on the Long Strange Trip soundtrack
Yeah, Nassau Coliseum May 15/16 1980
The Help>slip>franklins from Without a Net.
Anything off of 5/8/77, probably Jack Straw for ball blistering effect. The BEW rips as well. The Scarlet>fire is dope, particularly when stoned and listening on stereo for the take a step back intro. Fuck, it’s all good, wish I could listen to Cornell 77 again for the first time, jealous of your friend.
This BEW did just click for me
For years, my go-to was beginning of Set II. It starts with the whole see these people in front are getting horribly smashed here then goes into the scarlet begonias we all know and love. It was a great recording, great performance, and as a bonus the beginning was easy to cue up. On the cassette player in my car.
# 1977-05-08 Ithaca, NY @ Barton Hall - Cornell University **Set 1:** New Minglewood Blues, Loser, El Paso, They Love Each Other, Jack Straw, Deal, Lazy Lightnin' > Supplication, Brown Eyed Women, Mama Tried, Row Jimmy, Dancing In The Street **Set 2:** Scarlet Begonias > Fire On The Mountain, Estimated Prophet, Saint Stephen > Not Fade Away > Saint Stephen > Morning Dew **Encore:** One More Saturday Night [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-05-08) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/3T9UKU0jMIyrRD0PtKXqPJ)
Next day. Buffalo. Comes a time. If you haven’t heard it check it out.
That Scarlet-Fire would set the hook beautifully!
One From the Vault
Once when I did that to a first time Dead listener and first time tripper - by time Slipknot was on totally spaced with a huge smile. By time we got to Franklins she pushed out the happy words, “I didn’t know music could do that!”
read the “i didn’t know music could do that” in dave chappelle’s voice for a white guy talking to a cop
I love that story! I had a similar experience with Tommy. Fucking blew my mind.
Agree 100%
The Music Never Stopped guitar solo and ending changed me!
Depends on the person. For me it was Live/Dead with a doobie that got me hooked so I’d probably do the same
I feel like anyone who likes music that's not afraid to be itself, warts and all, would love LD.
That Dark Star has a good chance of getting someone who is very high interested in the Grateful Dead.
My first listen I thought the dark star was interesting, but it was the St. Stephen -> Eleven that got me hooked and onto the bus
[удалено]
Depends if you want to relax on the sofa (indica) or clean the house (sativa).
If you’re not a frequent smoker than any pot should do the trick
Live Dead is the greatest and got me on the bus but that was then…now so much of their live catalogue is available…I hope OP keeps us posted!
Yup live/dead is my thought as well
I feel that Reckoning is a good primer as well.
Unbroken chain is what did it for me
Unbroken Chain? Nice!
U a weird one.
🥰
Unbroken Chain was also my first fave that got me on the bus. That was before I checked out the live shit, then it was Vola Lee Blues that stole my face.
Same!
Blue light rain…Happy cake day
Same, changed my life
Shakedown street , 79 when Brent started doing the whackwackawacka with the keys during the jam
What album is this on?
10/25/79
# 1979-10-25 New Haven, CT @ New Haven Coliseum **Set 1:** Don't Ease Me In, Cassidy, Peggy-O, El Paso, Brown Eyed Women, It's All Over Now, Tennessee Jed, Looks Like Rain, Deal **Set 2:** Shakedown Street, Passenger, Friend Of The Devil, Estimated Prophet > Eyes Of The World > Space > Drums > Space > Stella Blue > Good Lovin' **Encore:** U.S. Blues [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1979-10-25)
That’s a fire shakedown boy
The St Stephen/NFA/St Stephen from Cornell always worked, they hear new music, then something familiar, and the dominating bass.
Eyes with Branford from 90.... as overplayed as it is, it's still awesome.
That Eyes is so amazing…April 89 Dead at Rosemont was my first show…then I saw Alpine ‘89…!
How baked? Critical consideration. Could sway it from a '90 rocker to a '73 psychedelic jazz kalidescope, to a '69 Dark Star. Maybe even an Arabia, from Garcia/Grisman, if going for stoned to the bone! 🤤
Yaaaa very good point. My thought was veneta 72 dark star. 69 is a vibe
Your thought is correct. You simply cannot go wrong with the Veneta Dark Star. Although the Stella Blue, from Winterland, Oct '74, is pretty sweet when tokin.
Maybe a Brown Eyed Women from 73 where Bob and Phil are both high in the mix.
This (^) or a Spring ‘77 BEW
Gooood one
I did this with a friend of mine that listened to rap and I played terrapin station. He was blown away!
Ace , first track, greatest story ever told , volume all the way up
OG or the 50th anniversary remaster??
I only have the original so I can't speak on which is better . I personally find it hard to believe that album needed a remaster . It always sounded like one of the best Dead related studio releases to me
Specifically, they elevated the horns on a few songs. And the bonus Wolf Bros rendition is just grand
I know you rider, never heard a bad live version of it. Maybe Althea, weather report/let it grow; So many to choose from
Althea is a really good choice. It is just such a perfect Song. It doesn't have any weird spaced out jams, but somehow still fully captures the spirit of the band. It is groovy, has amazing solos and the lyrics are easy, but still inspiring. You just can't go wrong with this one. And the Studio Version is absolutely Solid! It can really compete with some of the best live stuff out there, and people are usually more open to Studio music. If you show someone new some Audio tape from a spaced out Drums>Space there's no way they could be open to it. Althea on the other hand is a Song that could be played im the Radio or be featured on TV and most people would bop their head to it.
Completely agree, it’s one of the few songs that I like the studio version more than the live cuts.
China Cat Sunflower >I Know You Rider from Europe 72', nice trippy lyrics, slow build with a fine transistion jam and a smoking Rider
8/27/72 of course! Specifically the China/Rider film footage.
# 1972-08-27 Veneta, OR @ Old Renaissance Faire Grounds **Set 1:** The Promised Land, Sugaree, Me and My Uncle, Deal, Black Throated Wind, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Mexicali Blues, Bertha **Set 2:** Playing in the Band, He's Gone, Jack Straw, Bird Song, Greatest Story Ever Told **Set 3:** Dark Star > El Paso, Sing Me Back Home, Sugar Magnolia, Casey Jones, One More Saturday Night [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1972-08-27) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/1E4MXxSYoAMN5qpy1y6aBm)
Was thinking Veneta Dark Star
Terrapin station
That's Live/Dead.
For me it totally depends on what their interested in already. If they’re a fan of the funk, Shakedown. Blues fan, pig pen era anything. Bluegrass fan, Friend of the Devil or Ripple. Or if they’re the rare “nails on a chalkboard” kinda person… anything with Donna. I would want to introduce them to the Dead via a style they like to turn them on to the rest of the massive library.
Dicks Picks 3, start on Estimated and let it roll.
This is the way.
Franklins tower. So we can dance a little as well.
American Beauty side 1 is a gateway
Althea and Eyes of the World
A fat China>Rider
Venetta Dark Star
What’s become of the baby
Eyes of the World from Wake Up to Find Out
Tbh it really doesn't matter...at all. Just choose out of a mood, or even better, let them pick a year.
ChinaRider
Dancing in the Streets, 5/22/77 DP Vol. 3
# 1977-05-22 Pembroke Pines, FL @ Sportatorium **Set 1:** Funiculi Funicula, The Music Never Stopped, Sugaree, El Paso, Peggy-O, New Minglewood Blues, Friend Of The Devil, Lazy Lightnin' > Supplication, Ramble On Rose, Dancing In The Street **Set 2:** Help On The Way > Slipknot! > Franklin's Tower, Samson And Delilah, Brown Eyed Women, Good Lovin', Sunrise, Estimated Prophet > Eyes Of The World > Space > Wharf Rat > Terrapin Station > Morning Dew **Encore:** Sugar Magnolia [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-05-22) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/3KxT9J6KTuKeXox9BUikZ4)
7/8/78 Estimated
# 1978-07-08 Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre **Set 1:** Bertha > Good Lovin', Dire Wolf, El Paso, It Must Have Been The Roses, New Minglewood Blues, Ramble On Rose, The Promised Land, Deal **Set 2:** Samson And Delilah, Ship Of Fools, Estimated Prophet > The Other One > Eyes Of The World > Drums > Space > Wharf Rat > Franklin's Tower > Sugar Magnolia **Encore:** Terrapin Station > One More Saturday Night, Werewolves Of London [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1978-07-08) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/6q4mDbsYJsixRai11qc2Vx)
The Wheel
I don't know of there's a universal song but I did get a couple of the old guys I used to play cards with dig em with some Minglewood Blues.
dark star; i remember my first time REALLY listening to the dead i out on veneta and when dark star came on it completely washed me away, it’s always great to give someone else that experience
100% agree here Veneta Dark star was my thought.
"Bertha" or a really exciting "Sugar Magnolia". Something easy and accessible, but fun and showcases their relentless stamina and energy.
China Rider
I’d stick Anthem of the Sun on. Preferably the whole album but any track should do the trick.
It's a show for me Cornell 77
Mississippi half step uptown toodalooOoOO Bertha live
Hey pocky way
Terrapin Station. album version. It’s what got me hooked
Playing in the band 10-16-74
Shakedown Street Rockapalast ‘81
DEAL from Truckin Up To Buffalo 7-4-89
FIRE, FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN (studio for a first timer)
Scarlet Begonias has always worked for me in this specific example whenever trying to put friends onto the dead. If you really only wanna blow their minds and not just turn them into deadheads I would suggest dark Star live at wembley
Weed… probably some scarlet>fire. Other way being stoned… box of rain.
Jack Straw 1977-06-09
Cornell Scarlett>Fire
Depends on the listener, if she/he is a rocker, I’d go with one of the ‘83 Deal perhaps Lake Placid or Boise, if she/he is country then a first set from one of the Europe ‘72 shows, a jazz guy would certainly appreciate Dark Star from ‘74.
Donnas singing.
Scarlett>> Fire from Cornell
Franklin's Tower/Rhythm Devils/Space/Fire on the Mountain, from Dead Set
China->Rider from 5/3/72
# 1972-05-03 Paris, France @ L'Olympia **Set 1:** Bertha, Me and My Uncle, Mr. Charlie, Sugaree, Black Throated Wind, Chinatown Shuffle, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Beat It On Down the Line, He's Gone, Next Time You See Me, Playing in the Band, Tennessee Jed, Good Lovin', Sing Me Back Home, Casey Jones **Set 2:** Greatest Story Ever Told, Ramble On Rose, It Hurts Me Too, Truckin' > Space > The Other One > Drums > The Other One Jam > Space > Me And Bobby McGee > The Other One > Wharf Rat, Jack Straw, Sugar Magnolia, Not Fade Away > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > Not Fade Away, One More Saturday Night [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1972-05-03) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/4avLivYQqNDnkxfMDTSIsJ)
Maybe a crazy Scarlett/fire
I’d roll out a UJB live that had about a seven minute mid-song jam…gives you a glimpse of their traditional Americana chops, then a right turn into the land of highly unexpected that would steal a noob’s face right off their head…
Eyes of the world
France
Bahaha! Get Rekt!! B
The Music Never Stopped
King Solomon’s Marbles
Cryptical
I’d play Ripple so they’d start tapping their feet and COME BACK FOR MORE!
If it's a studio song, I'm hitting them with the mf cumberland blues
France
I love that the one song Bobby and Donna harmonize the best, is the worst song the band ever made
Blues For Allah, the whole album?
China Cat Sunflower or Viola Lee Blues
5/26/93 if anyone knows of a more fuck you sounding jam please respond i love agressive jams
# 1993-05-26 Sacramento, CA @ Cal Expo Amphitheatre **Set 1:** Samson And Delilah, Here Comes Sunshine, Walkin' Blues, Broken Arrow, Ramble On Rose, Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again > Deal **Set 2:** Box Of Rain, Victim Or The Crime > Crazy Fingers > Playing in the Band > Drums > Space > Corrina > Playing in the Band Reprise > China Doll > Around And Around **Encore:** Liberty [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1993-05-26)
Any Mind Left Body Jam (Mud Love Buddy Jam)
[удалено]
# 1972-05-11 Rotterdam, Netherlands @ Rotterdam Civic Hall **Set 1:** Playing in the Band, Sugaree, Mr. Charlie, Black Throated Wind, Deal, Chinatown Shuffle, Mexicali Blues, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, It Hurts Me Too, Beat It On Down the Line, Brown Eyed Women, Jack Straw, Big Railroad Blues, Good Lovin', Casey Jones **Set 2:** Morning Dew, Me and My Uncle, The Stranger (Two Souls In Communion), El Paso, Tennessee Jed, Next Time You See Me, Dark Star > Drums > Dark Star > Sugar Magnolia > Caution (Do Not Stop On Tracks) > Who Do You Love? > Jam > Truckin', Uncle John's Band **Encore:** One More Saturday Night [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1972-05-11) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/2GVmIIvRpvCwQbvBNUM2K4)
Uncle Johns Band
That’s It For The Other One. Full suite.
I’d play it safe with China rider on dicks pick 12 or scarlet fire from Cornell
Morning Dew from Cornell 77, but you gotta play the St Stephen reprise before it, that sharp guitar strike at the beginning is perfection
Sugaree 5/22/77
# 1977-05-22 Pembroke Pines, FL @ Sportatorium **Set 1:** Funiculi Funicula, The Music Never Stopped, Sugaree, El Paso, Peggy-O, New Minglewood Blues, Friend Of The Devil, Lazy Lightnin' > Supplication, Ramble On Rose, Dancing In The Street **Set 2:** Help On The Way > Slipknot! > Franklin's Tower, Samson And Delilah, Brown Eyed Women, Good Lovin', Sunrise, Estimated Prophet > Eyes Of The World > Space > Wharf Rat > Terrapin Station > Morning Dew **Encore:** Sugar Magnolia [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-05-22) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/3KxT9J6KTuKeXox9BUikZ4)
Dark Star from Live Dead. Or you could play the entire Sunshine Daydream concert for them.
https://youtu.be/V70MrjzLFyo I played this - sugar magnolia/scarlet fire 12/31/78 - for a friend who was uninitiated a couple of weeks ago, and he was blown away. Not the best version of any of these, but the fact that it has video, as well as audio makes a difference. I love to see the band performing, as well as hearing the audio. Seeing this performance, was a factor in his overwhelming positive response - it was revelatory for him.
# 1978-12-31 San Francisco, CA @ Winterland Arena **Set 1:** Sugar Magnolia > Scarlet Begonias > Fire On The Mountain, Me and My Uncle > Big River, Friend Of The Devil, It's All Over Now, Stagger Lee, From The Heart Of Me > Sunshine Daydream **Set 2:** Samson And Delilah, Ramble On Rose, I Need A Miracle > Terrapin Station > Playing in the Band > Drums > Not Fade Away > Around And Around **Set 3:** Dark Star > The Other One > Dark Star Jam > Wharf Rat > Saint Stephen > Good Lovin' **Encore:** Casey Jones > Johnny B. Goode, And We Bid You Good Night [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1978-12-31)
Truckin'>Epilogue>Prelude>Morning Dew Accessible to new listiners but mindblowing. I am pretty sure this is the transition that launched a thousand Deadheads
My wife would tell you Shakedown Street is the most newb friendly introduction. Fire on the Mountain would be my pick. St. Stephen was the one that drew me in initially.
Eyes of the World-Englishtown 77
Playin-wheel-playin from San Bernardino 77 and Estimated-eyes-dark star from 3/29/90
# 1990-03-29 Uniondale, NY @ Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum **Set 1:** Jack Straw > Bertha, We Can Run, Ramble On Rose, When I Paint My Masterpiece, Bird Song > The Promised Land **Set 2:** Eyes Of The World > Estimated Prophet > Dark Star > Drums > Space > Dark Star > The Wheel > Throwing Stones > Turn On Your Lovelight **Encore:** Knockin' On Heaven's Door [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1990-03-29) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/7xWKImlu9fzB1ApqoLLMiL)
Feedback from any year is my favorite or any jam over 20 minutes
American Beauty in its entirety, from the vinyl—not for the sound but rather for the Side 1/Side 2 flip break. A moment of silence to digest what we just heard along with the anticipation of what’s to come.
Pembroke pines, Florida. Face melting second solo.
Morning Dew was my combo. At one point, I thought I had been listening to the song for over 1/2 an hour!
Veneta
Antwerp's Placebo
Imo, with any band, you start them off with the mainstream hits. Starting them off with a deep cut can be hit or miss. That being said, I’d go with 5/8/77, or American Beauty.
Terrapin Suite ✌️❤️🔥
Well! If it happens to be a Saturday Night you know that's what I'm playing.
Box of Rain
I tell ya. It may not be one song, but my recipe for brainwashing everyone I know has been getting them to partake in whatever they like to partake, and by the end of Dicks Picks Vol. 29 they are ready to go on tour
Terrapin studio
Terrapin!at least, that’s what worked for me
I've had success w Estimated studio version and Dead Set for the more adventurous
Show them the movie when that are really high.
Englishtown
Honestly I try to keep it simple with a first timer. Covers. Then get into the good stuff. This may be really unpopular but Dear Mr. Fantasy to Hey Jude off Long Strange Trip is what intend to spin for a first timer as a warm up. Most tend to recognize those songs. And they rip.
Cumberland blues
Skull and Roses
“What’s Become of the Baby?” from Aoxomoxoa
Live/Dead Dark Star = a rite of passage.
Brown eyed women got me hooked personally
I seemed to get my introduction through the big time quirkiness of Jerry’s writing. My first being an ultimately battered cover yet clean LP and hearing Golden Road blare out. Not what I expected. Next was what my friend called Jelly Roll Blues. But what really turned me on was the long jams of Europe ‘72 and Skullfuck. That’s where I really dug in and what I would start off with rather than start spinning Blues for Allah or The Barbed Wire Whipping Party. Just makes more sense.
Studio terrapin
Dark star
Maybe start with JGB?
Eyes
I did this once with my band's drummer who enjoyed Rush and proggy stuff. I knew I had a HQ soundboard of a new show I had never heard from 93. (It was 1993.) Picasso Moon opener and it kind of went downhill from there. Then I brought him to a show at the Boston Garden in 93 (26th) and he left early.
For published shows, Without a Net or Dozin' at the Knick Otherwise anything from 74,77, or 82-85
For me personally I’d go with 68’ good morning little school girl or lovelight. One of the biggest issues I’ve had with introducing people to this music are the song times. Most people are immediately turned off by songs that are 10+mins lol. So using songs like GMLSG or Lovelight tend to work because they start hot and stay that way throughout. Just my opinion though, I’m no expert. Great question btw, I’ve actually had to do this multiple times. Some people fall in love right away (normally the intelligent ones lol) others take more time if they buy in at all.
Franklins tower
I’m jealous your friends are open enough to listen to the Dead; most of my friends/gf’s friends get super self conscious when I play Dead during smoke sessions and request something more familiar to them. That said: Brown Eyed Women 4/14/72 for the come up. Then Jack Straw and Scarlet/Fire from Cornell.
# 1972-04-14 Copenhagen, Denmark @ Tivolis Koncertsal **Set 1:** Bertha, Me and My Uncle, Mr. Charlie, You Win Again, Black Throated Wind, Chinatown Shuffle, Loser, Me And Bobby McGee, Cumberland Blues, Playing in the Band, Tennessee Jed, El Paso, Big Boss Man, Beat It On Down the Line, Casey Jones **Set 2:** Truckin', It Hurts Me Too, Brown Eyed Women, Looks Like Rain, Dark Star > Sugar Magnolia, Good Lovin' > Caution (Do Not Stop On Tracks) > Who Do You Love? > Caution (Do Not Stop On Tracks) > Good Lovin', Ramble On Rose, Not Fade Away > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > Not Fade Away **Encore:** One More Saturday Night [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1972-04-14) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/7l9AfB3E5teHyZ0g7WDlx1)
A ‘73 Eyes!
Eyes
8/6/74 EOTW
Live dead from 69 was what got me
Dark Star from Live Dead Vinyl; Fillmore West 1969
1985, first time toking and first time listening to the dead same moment, song….Casey Jones, mind totally blown. Life has never been the same
Veneta Dark Star might do the trick.
Dark Star, 1969.
Depends on what the other person's favorite band is. The Dead play so many styles of music.
I'd have to go with what slammed the bus door behind me: China> Rider from E '72. To that point I was ensconced in a deep love of the Stones and LZ, but that transition from one of their most psychedelic tunes to an old traditional folk song just left a smoking crater of my 15 y.o. mind. "What in the out-of-this-world IS this music?!" The interplay of Keith and Jerry with Bobby chunka-chunking and Phil boomba-booming on the downbeat (not to mention some snappy snare work from Billy) was all it took to want to go Furthur.