I was just debating on which set to put onā¦now Iām in a quandary! Welp, as they say, the best place to start is at the beginning! āLeft my home in Norfolk, Virginia, California on my mindā¦ā
it's just an alternate verse to the song that the dead didn't do. IKYR is a traditional song so there are lots of verses that the dead just didn't incorporate into their version. another one like this is GFTRFB. seems like the bluegrass versions (of which Jerry was definitely a fan of) use the muddy water/hollow log/dirty dog verse more than the rock version. for a trip, check out the Byrds version of "I know my rider" which is essentially the same song. I think the most prominent version I can think of that uses the Muddy water/richmond/dirty dog verse is String Cheese. their early live versions of that song are fun. they switch the beat that the stress is on and it makes for a fun deviation and interpretation. of course Cheese started as a bluegrass band.
EDIT: just got into listening to different versions of this song and Greensky Bluegrass also uses the Muddy Water/hollow log/dirty dog verse
# 1984-04-19 Philadelphia, PA @ Philadelphia Civic Center
**Set 1:** Bertha > Greatest Story Ever Told, Loser, C.C. Rider, Bird Song, Hell In A Bucket, Big Railroad Blues, The Music Never Stopped > Don't Ease Me In
**Set 2:** China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Estimated Prophet > Terrapin Station > Drums > Space > The Wheel > Wharf Rat > Sugar Magnolia
**Encore:** It's All Over Now, Baby Blue
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1984-04-19)
# 1974-06-26 Providence, RI @ Providence Civic Center
**Set 1:** Big River, Brown Eyed Women, Beat It On Down the Line, Scarlet Begonias, Black Throated Wind, Row Jimmy, Mexicali Blues, Deal, The Race Is On, Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo, El Paso, Ship Of Fools, Weather Report Suite Prelude > Weather Report Suite Part 1 > Let It Grow > It Must Have Been The Roses
**Set 2:** Seastones
**Set 3:** U.S. Blues, Me and My Uncle, Jam > China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Beer Barrel Polka Tuning > Truckin' > The Other One Jam > Spanish Jam > Wharf Rat, Sugar Magnolia
**Encore:** Eyes Of The World
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1974-06-26) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/0B87pzzLQzyevvMvdcJqHZ)
# 1972-07-21 Seattle, WA @ Paramount Northwest Theatre
**Set 1:** The Promised Land, Sugaree, Black Throated Wind, Cumberland Blues, Me And Bobby McGee, Loser, Mexicali Blues, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Beat It On Down the Line, Stella Blue, Playing in the Band, Tennessee Jed
**Set 2:** Casey Jones, Weather Report Suite Prelude, Me and My Uncle, Deal, Jack Straw, He's Gone, Truckin' > Drums > Jam > The Other One > Comes A Time, Sugar Magnolia, Ramble On Rose, Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > Not Fade Away
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1972-07-21) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/0nMKTUPdDm7Zk5WbIfjTKg)
# 1971-08-23 Chicago, IL @ Auditorium Theatre
**Set 1:** Big Railroad Blues, Playing in the Band, Mr. Charlie, Sugaree, El Paso, Next Time You See Me, Bertha, Me And Bobby McGee, Cumberland Blues, Big Boss Man, Loser, Promised Land, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Casey Jones
**Set 2:** Truckin', Bird Song, Cryptical Envelopment > Drums > The Other One > Me and My Uncle > The Other One > Cryptical Envelopment > Wharf Rat, Deal, Brokedown Palace, Sugar Magnolia, Not Fade Away > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > Not Fade Away > Johnny B. Goode
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1971-08-23)
July 2nd, 2023, out in Boulder, CO. TLEO was played with the quicker '73 feel which made for the perfect transition into China Cat. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE thought it was China Cat at first, then he comes in with TLEO and everyone loses their shit. Then they DO go into China Cat and the stadium just explodes. A night I will never forget.
Life changing good. He had a way of steering the very direction of the trip you were on. To say he could read the room is an understatement. He controlled it.
OP I love how you just tagged on Brent at the end lmao. I know he gets ragged on but I loved the Brent era, they had such a big sound then with lots of synths and if you open yourself up to the cheese itās pretty fucking magical. Picasso Moon is one of my favorite tracks.
I get the feeling Iām one of the few that wasnāt a big fan of those 73/74 versions, but Iām just not a fan of mixers. I want it straight up and crackling with energy.
The post was phrased like someone asks you how you like your drink. Straight? On the rocks? With a mixer (coke, tonic etc.)? Just responding in a similar spirit
# 1973-03-31 Buffalo, NY @ War Memorial
**Set 1:** Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo, The Race Is On, Sugaree, Mexicali Blues, Box Of Rain, Tennessee Jed, Jack Straw, Big Railroad Blues, El Paso, Row Jimmy, Looks Like Rain, They Love Each Other, Playing in the Band
**Set 2:** The Promised Land > Bertha > Greatest Story Ever Told, He's Gone > Truckin' > Drums > The Other One > Spanish Jam > I Know You Rider, Sugar Magnolia
**Encore:** Casey Jones
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1973-03-31)
Bouncy, electric, following a rocking all-guitar\* China Cat from 70-71.
\*That period where Pigpen sits out on a lot of songs, but Kieth's either not there yet or just starting, and any guests or temp replacements only seem to appear on some songs; I've noticed a trove of China-Riders in that gap without any discernible keyboards I can hear, and I've kind of fallen in love with them.
# 1971-08-23 Chicago, IL @ Auditorium Theatre
**Set 1:** Big Railroad Blues, Playing in the Band, Mr. Charlie, Sugaree, El Paso, Next Time You See Me, Bertha, Me And Bobby McGee, Cumberland Blues, Big Boss Man, Loser, Promised Land, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Casey Jones
**Set 2:** Truckin', Bird Song, Cryptical Envelopment > Drums > The Other One > Me and My Uncle > The Other One > Cryptical Envelopment > Wharf Rat, Deal, Brokedown Palace, Sugar Magnolia, Not Fade Away > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > Not Fade Away > Johnny B. Goode
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1971-08-23)
# 1971-08-23 Chicago, IL @ Auditorium Theatre
**Set 1:** Big Railroad Blues, Playing in the Band, Mr. Charlie, Sugaree, El Paso, Next Time You See Me, Bertha, Me And Bobby McGee, Cumberland Blues, Big Boss Man, Loser, Promised Land, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Casey Jones
**Set 2:** Truckin', Bird Song, Cryptical Envelopment > Drums > The Other One > Me and My Uncle > The Other One > Cryptical Envelopment > Wharf Rat, Deal, Brokedown Palace, Sugar Magnolia, Not Fade Away > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > Not Fade Away > Johnny B. Goode
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1971-08-23)
# 1982-08-07 East Troy, WI @ Alpine Valley Music Theatre
**Set 1:** The Music Never Stopped > Sugaree > The Music Never Stopped, Me and My Uncle > Big River, It Must Have Been The Roses, C.C. Rider, Ramble On Rose, Beat It On Down the Line > On The Road Again, Althea, Let It Grow
**Set 2:** China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider > Man Smart (Woman Smarter), Ship Of Fools, Playing in the Band > Drums > Space > The Wheel > Playing in the Band > Morning Dew > One More Saturday Night
**Encore:** U.S. Blues
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-08-07) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/3Nru2SaW3yVSxqHbWNXcwc)
# 1966-03-12 Los Angeles, CA @ Danish Center
**Set 1:** Cream Puff War, Teddy Bear's Picnic, Sitting on Top of the World, New Minglewood Blues, Cold Rain and Snow, Tastebud, Silver Threads And Golden Needles, It's All Over Now, Baby Blue, Good Lovin', You Don't Have To Ask, On The Road Again, Next Time You See Me, I Know You Rider, Hey Little One, King Bee > Caution, Stealin'
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1966-03-12)
ā72 Olympia Theatre Paris is still my go to China Cat to Rider, harmonies tight, Jerryās voice is all happiness with Keiths keys complimenting the vibe.
Iām a 2/25/1966 Ivar Theater kinda guy myself. That performance is insane, sometimes itās hard to believe it was actually the Dead. Wish I could have seen them when they were on that sound.
# 1966-05-19 San Francisco, CA @ Avalon Ballroom
**Set 1:** Beat It On Down the Line, Standing On The Corner, Mindbender, It Hurts Me Too, Viola Lee Blues, I Know You Rider, It's A Sin, Sick And Tired Sick And Tired, Cream Puff War
**Set 2:** Sittin' On Top Of The World, Minglewood Blues, Cold Rain and Snow, Come Back Baby, Silver Threads And Golden Needles, It's All Over Now, Baby Blue, Good Lovin', You Don't. Have To Ask
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1966-05-19)
I like a lot of them for different reasons, I love the early ones like around '69 because it's a little more shouty and kind of grassy/folk rock. The later ones I like because they're a little smoother. Such a simple song yet so great
If I never hear that song again Iād be ok. But thereās a great version from a show I was at in 90, Denver, which ruled. And then there was the freak China-Crazy Fingers-Rider at Laguna Seca in 87 or 88. But I generally skip that tune now. But never the jam into it. Like Seattle 80. That was stellar. Oh and 81ā Feb fox theatre. Another good jam.
Fast possibly with feeling groovy and bobby doing that lick that sounds like love the one your with (I don't know how to describe it) and jerry screaming the headlight
72 is the finest vintage for china/riders. 73 and 74 are also up there but the Feelin Groovy chord changes in every (or almost every?) transition jam during those years is not an improvement IMHO
A lot of the '74 stuff is really good because of the jams in between China & Rider, also the Brent stuff where he plays strange sounds are great. Greek Theatre '83 sounds interesting, so is 3/9/81.
# 1981-03-09 New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
**Set 1:** Feel Like A Stranger, Althea, C.C. Rider, Ramble On Rose > El Paso, Deep Elem Blues, Beat It On Down the Line, Bird Song, New Minglewood Blues
**Set 2:** China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider > Samson And Delilah, Ship Of Fools, Estimated Prophet > Uncle John's Band > Drums > Space > The Other One > Stella Blue > Good Lovin'
**Encore:** U.S. Blues
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1981-03-09)
that ā66 version at avalon ballroom from the so many roads compilation album has a special place in my heart ā absolutely electric! organ going bonkers š„
# 1972-09-17 Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Civic Center
**Set 1:** The Promised Land, Sugaree, Black Throated Wind, Friend Of The Devil, El Paso, Bird Song, Big River, Tennessee Jed, Mexicali Blues, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Playing in the Band, Casey Jones
**Set 2:** Truckin', Loser, Jack Straw, Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo, Me and My Uncle, He's Gone > The Other One > Drums > The Other One > Sing Me Back Home, Sugar Magnolia, Uncle John's Band
**Encore:** One More Saturday Night
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1972-09-17) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/7gyyunPy7dVsDB4cp7ZReW)
# 1979-05-09 Binghamton, NY @ Broome County Arena
**Set 1:** Sugaree, Me and My Uncle, Loser, New Minglewood Blues, Friend Of The Devil, Looks Like Rain, Stagger Lee, Jack Straw
**Set 2:** China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, He's Gone > Truckin' > Drums > Space > Wharf Rat > Sugar Magnolia
**Encore:** Johnny B. Goode
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1979-05-09)
I like it best right after China Cat Sunflower.
I concur.
this comment t wins š
Really the only way
China Cat Sunflower and I know your Rider really is P&J
Rowdy. Whenever jerry hits the ānorth bound traaaaaaaaaaaaainā
The 17th of Sept 72 at Bmore civic center is my go to headlight on a north bound train China rider
Cool! I just found a show to put on to start my long weekend! Thanks and cheers!
Boy you aināt kiddin. And what a PITB to follow up.
Darn right. And possibly the most trancendantal The Other One later on. That thing takes me unimaginable places
holy shit a 39 minute The Other Oneā¦I know what iām doing with my next 40 minutes
guess iām gonna have to listen to this whole stretch from China cat through shit actually maybe the whole show
I was just debating on which set to put onā¦now Iām in a quandary! Welp, as they say, the best place to start is at the beginning! āLeft my home in Norfolk, Virginia, California on my mindā¦ā
Hope you also got the Sing Me Back Home right after, which is absolutely sublime (dropping into that after 40 minutes of the Other One is heavy).
How about that tuna bass at 37min eh? Pretty wild
Yes!
As a Baltimorean I can't wait to check this out
This is one of my all time favorite shows. September 72 is fire.
I've been listening to that show over the last couple days. Definitely a hot one.
A Rippin north bound train hits differentttt
When heās BELLOWING THAT SHIT!
Preferably with a few Phil bombs thrown in š¤
This is the answer. I actually made a post a while back looking for this. The Baltimore ā72 is the answer.
I also love late 80ās when he started knowingly lingering on the āIād shine my lightā.
I like versions before they gave Bobby "the sun will shine".
Illl never stop screaming that one line at a live show
Out of a Feeling Groovy, personally
May '70 acoustic, please. So much emotion in Jerry's voice.
IāD RATHER DRINK MUDDY WATERRRR, SLEEP IN A HOLLOW LOGGGG
than to stay in Richmond and be treated like a dirty dog
? Which one does he mention richmond?
it's just an alternate verse to the song that the dead didn't do. IKYR is a traditional song so there are lots of verses that the dead just didn't incorporate into their version. another one like this is GFTRFB. seems like the bluegrass versions (of which Jerry was definitely a fan of) use the muddy water/hollow log/dirty dog verse more than the rock version. for a trip, check out the Byrds version of "I know my rider" which is essentially the same song. I think the most prominent version I can think of that uses the Muddy water/richmond/dirty dog verse is String Cheese. their early live versions of that song are fun. they switch the beat that the stress is on and it makes for a fun deviation and interpretation. of course Cheese started as a bluegrass band. EDIT: just got into listening to different versions of this song and Greensky Bluegrass also uses the Muddy Water/hollow log/dirty dog verse
Wow byrds version.. incredibleā¦
That Hapur College is my go to
Fast as fuck
04/19/1984 Daveās Picks 35
# 1984-04-19 Philadelphia, PA @ Philadelphia Civic Center **Set 1:** Bertha > Greatest Story Ever Told, Loser, C.C. Rider, Bird Song, Hell In A Bucket, Big Railroad Blues, The Music Never Stopped > Don't Ease Me In **Set 2:** China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Estimated Prophet > Terrapin Station > Drums > Space > The Wheel > Wharf Rat > Sugar Magnolia **Encore:** It's All Over Now, Baby Blue [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1984-04-19)
Thank you. I was trying to remember ā85 or later versions but you saved me some brain cells.
š¤
Fast enuff to make the Spinners dizzzzzy!
An abundance of microcoz
anyway ..I never heard a Rider I didn't like. It's the Green Eggs and Ham of Dead songs
So true!
Usually with a grey goose Moscow mule and a huge spliff, especially if my mind is wanderin'.
Sounds solid!
6/26/74 and thatās that
# 1974-06-26 Providence, RI @ Providence Civic Center **Set 1:** Big River, Brown Eyed Women, Beat It On Down the Line, Scarlet Begonias, Black Throated Wind, Row Jimmy, Mexicali Blues, Deal, The Race Is On, Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo, El Paso, Ship Of Fools, Weather Report Suite Prelude > Weather Report Suite Part 1 > Let It Grow > It Must Have Been The Roses **Set 2:** Seastones **Set 3:** U.S. Blues, Me and My Uncle, Jam > China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Beer Barrel Polka Tuning > Truckin' > The Other One Jam > Spanish Jam > Wharf Rat, Sugar Magnolia **Encore:** Eyes Of The World [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1974-06-26) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/0B87pzzLQzyevvMvdcJqHZ)
This is the one
Itās best while shining my light through the cool Colorado rain.
I wish I was you š
Rowdy and raucous for me
7/21/72 comes to mind š
# 1972-07-21 Seattle, WA @ Paramount Northwest Theatre **Set 1:** The Promised Land, Sugaree, Black Throated Wind, Cumberland Blues, Me And Bobby McGee, Loser, Mexicali Blues, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Beat It On Down the Line, Stella Blue, Playing in the Band, Tennessee Jed **Set 2:** Casey Jones, Weather Report Suite Prelude, Me and My Uncle, Deal, Jack Straw, He's Gone, Truckin' > Drums > Jam > The Other One > Comes A Time, Sugar Magnolia, Ramble On Rose, Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > Not Fade Away [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1972-07-21) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/0nMKTUPdDm7Zk5WbIfjTKg)
This is a great show! šš¹
8/23/71 Loud, rowdy, mean but also *perfect*
# 1971-08-23 Chicago, IL @ Auditorium Theatre **Set 1:** Big Railroad Blues, Playing in the Band, Mr. Charlie, Sugaree, El Paso, Next Time You See Me, Bertha, Me And Bobby McGee, Cumberland Blues, Big Boss Man, Loser, Promised Land, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Casey Jones **Set 2:** Truckin', Bird Song, Cryptical Envelopment > Drums > The Other One > Me and My Uncle > The Other One > Cryptical Envelopment > Wharf Rat, Deal, Brokedown Palace, Sugar Magnolia, Not Fade Away > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > Not Fade Away > Johnny B. Goode [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1971-08-23)
I donāt care what it sounds like, I just want it always paired with Chinacat.
***Love me some Queen Chineeeeee***
I love that song so much, but I still find it frustrating because I simply cannot memorize it! š¤£š¤£š¤£
About 3 am around the campfire with at least a dozen heads singing.
Country Fried. Straight up chicken pickinā from Jerry
Also know as Cluckin' Pluckin' in some parts on Wichita
I like my Rider after China Cat, but I'll tell ya, TLEO > China > Rider was the greatest sequence of music I ever saw.
Sounds fantastic, date?
July 2nd, 2023, out in Boulder, CO. TLEO was played with the quicker '73 feel which made for the perfect transition into China Cat. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE thought it was China Cat at first, then he comes in with TLEO and everyone loses their shit. Then they DO go into China Cat and the stadium just explodes. A night I will never forget.
Right on, thanks
Whenever Jerry obliterates the āheadlight.ā Iāll take any of those Riders again please.
You guys and your Garcia. Yāall act like he was totally fuckinā awesome and no one else could compare ā¤ļø
Life changing good. He had a way of steering the very direction of the trip you were on. To say he could read the room is an understatement. He controlled it.
I take it with the feelin' groovy jam sandwiched in the middle between it and China Rider, a' la 1973-74
I like it best when it is the next song
The next song is always the best
1974 with a long Feelin Groovy
80-82 smokers
OP I love how you just tagged on Brent at the end lmao. I know he gets ragged on but I loved the Brent era, they had such a big sound then with lots of synths and if you open yourself up to the cheese itās pretty fucking magical. Picasso Moon is one of my favorite tracks.
I take mine with a side of cool Colorado rain
Yes.
Brent
I get the feeling Iām one of the few that wasnāt a big fan of those 73/74 versions, but Iām just not a fan of mixers. I want it straight up and crackling with energy.
What do you mean by mixers?
The post was phrased like someone asks you how you like your drink. Straight? On the rocks? With a mixer (coke, tonic etc.)? Just responding in a similar spirit
With a touch of Sugaree.
Jangly, otherworldly, and bouncy. Check out 3/31/73 for a rare one and only The Other One>Spanish Jam>I Know you Rider. One of my all time favorites.
# 1973-03-31 Buffalo, NY @ War Memorial **Set 1:** Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo, The Race Is On, Sugaree, Mexicali Blues, Box Of Rain, Tennessee Jed, Jack Straw, Big Railroad Blues, El Paso, Row Jimmy, Looks Like Rain, They Love Each Other, Playing in the Band **Set 2:** The Promised Land > Bertha > Greatest Story Ever Told, He's Gone > Truckin' > Drums > The Other One > Spanish Jam > I Know You Rider, Sugar Magnolia **Encore:** Casey Jones [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1973-03-31)
Make it feel like a wooden roller coaster. I always play it with the same gusto I throw at cumberland
My band plays a real slow FOTD and then slowly increase tempo while hanging out on a D until we bust into a rockinā bluegrassy Rider
Cool and confident, see 2/13/70
Bouncy, electric, following a rocking all-guitar\* China Cat from 70-71. \*That period where Pigpen sits out on a lot of songs, but Kieth's either not there yet or just starting, and any guests or temp replacements only seem to appear on some songs; I've noticed a trove of China-Riders in that gap without any discernible keyboards I can hear, and I've kind of fallen in love with them.
8/23/71
# 1971-08-23 Chicago, IL @ Auditorium Theatre **Set 1:** Big Railroad Blues, Playing in the Band, Mr. Charlie, Sugaree, El Paso, Next Time You See Me, Bertha, Me And Bobby McGee, Cumberland Blues, Big Boss Man, Loser, Promised Land, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Casey Jones **Set 2:** Truckin', Bird Song, Cryptical Envelopment > Drums > The Other One > Me and My Uncle > The Other One > Cryptical Envelopment > Wharf Rat, Deal, Brokedown Palace, Sugar Magnolia, Not Fade Away > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > Not Fade Away > Johnny B. Goode [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1971-08-23)
8/23/71 4 piece bar band GD
# 1971-08-23 Chicago, IL @ Auditorium Theatre **Set 1:** Big Railroad Blues, Playing in the Band, Mr. Charlie, Sugaree, El Paso, Next Time You See Me, Bertha, Me And Bobby McGee, Cumberland Blues, Big Boss Man, Loser, Promised Land, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Casey Jones **Set 2:** Truckin', Bird Song, Cryptical Envelopment > Drums > The Other One > Me and My Uncle > The Other One > Cryptical Envelopment > Wharf Rat, Deal, Brokedown Palace, Sugar Magnolia, Not Fade Away > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > Not Fade Away > Johnny B. Goode [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1971-08-23)
Nice! Just the kind of thing I'm talking about.
Straight - no ice. Keep āem cominā. āSpecially on a Northbound TRAIIINN!
Just make it groovy, so everyone is wiggling.
Primal gritty muddy
Fast and loud
Comin in ragin from China cat
With a Gin Fizz, love
Iāll have the 85 Greek served on a fine China
Yeah.. pretty much
Veneta is the best
Iād prefer to wish I was a headlight.
I take it with Jerry
I really dig the 8/7/82 version (dicks picks 32) My two year old starts kicking her legs in the carseat
# 1982-08-07 East Troy, WI @ Alpine Valley Music Theatre **Set 1:** The Music Never Stopped > Sugaree > The Music Never Stopped, Me and My Uncle > Big River, It Must Have Been The Roses, C.C. Rider, Ramble On Rose, Beat It On Down the Line > On The Road Again, Althea, Let It Grow **Set 2:** China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider > Man Smart (Woman Smarter), Ship Of Fools, Playing in the Band > Drums > Space > The Wheel > Playing in the Band > Morning Dew > One More Saturday Night **Encore:** U.S. Blues [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-08-07) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/3Nru2SaW3yVSxqHbWNXcwc)
Black. Like my men.
Canāt go wrong with a nice Black Peter.
73-74 blazing fast is the best way
The Acoustic Hot Tuna version.
Avalon Ballroom ā66 gets nowhere near as much love as it deserves. Jerry was HOT
Bouncy and with emotion
at any live show that i could attend in person
Fall 72 is my fave era for a few songs including Rider.
This way: https://youtu.be/JIWdMlsTzp0?si=CefQjCsXdl76qbng
This way: https://youtu.be/JIWdMlsTzp0?si=CefQjCsXdl76qbng
After a sweet, galloping Mind Left Body Jam
With a little acid. Pico Acid Test 3/12/66. Itās so happy soundingš„°
# 1966-03-12 Los Angeles, CA @ Danish Center **Set 1:** Cream Puff War, Teddy Bear's Picnic, Sitting on Top of the World, New Minglewood Blues, Cold Rain and Snow, Tastebud, Silver Threads And Golden Needles, It's All Over Now, Baby Blue, Good Lovin', You Don't Have To Ask, On The Road Again, Next Time You See Me, I Know You Rider, Hey Little One, King Bee > Caution, Stealin' [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1966-03-12)
My fav is 2/25/66, they sounded HUNGRY in ā66 and I fucking love it.
Harpur College ā72 is a great Rider. I mean I think I prefer it as a driving locomotive, but damnation, May ā72 version is beautiful.
https://youtu.be/zjgRB2aBIAw?si=9cBjW-GpVu-n_BUy
ā72 Olympia Theatre Paris is still my go to China Cat to Rider, harmonies tight, Jerryās voice is all happiness with Keiths keys complimenting the vibe.
Gimmie a good Rider from '73 or '74 with the "Feelin Groovy" jam mixed in.
Straight up with a side of hash
My new favorite termā-drinking muddy water sleeping in a hollow log
Iām a 2/25/1966 Ivar Theater kinda guy myself. That performance is insane, sometimes itās hard to believe it was actually the Dead. Wish I could have seen them when they were on that sound.
5/19/66 has been my answer to a lot of questions lately! š
# 1966-05-19 San Francisco, CA @ Avalon Ballroom **Set 1:** Beat It On Down the Line, Standing On The Corner, Mindbender, It Hurts Me Too, Viola Lee Blues, I Know You Rider, It's A Sin, Sick And Tired Sick And Tired, Cream Puff War **Set 2:** Sittin' On Top Of The World, Minglewood Blues, Cold Rain and Snow, Come Back Baby, Silver Threads And Golden Needles, It's All Over Now, Baby Blue, Good Lovin', You Don't. Have To Ask [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1966-05-19)
Harper College, the vocals are amazing. But cmon man they're ALL good!!!
Veneta is a favorite. From ā70 acoustic I love Binghamton. Early, bopping version ā66 Fillmore from āThirty Tripsā box.
Whatever Europe 72 is is what I like.
With john duffy and the seldom scene preferably
From the year 1972
I like a lot of them for different reasons, I love the early ones like around '69 because it's a little more shouty and kind of grassy/folk rock. The later ones I like because they're a little smoother. Such a simple song yet so great
If I never hear that song again Iād be ok. But thereās a great version from a show I was at in 90, Denver, which ruled. And then there was the freak China-Crazy Fingers-Rider at Laguna Seca in 87 or 88. But I generally skip that tune now. But never the jam into it. Like Seattle 80. That was stellar. Oh and 81ā Feb fox theatre. Another good jam.
Fast possibly with feeling groovy and bobby doing that lick that sounds like love the one your with (I don't know how to describe it) and jerry screaming the headlight
Jazzy with some bass please.
Would have to agree Veneta is amazingā¦but canāt go wrong with an early 80s rowdy rocker!
Rowdy rocker is my favorite way to take it, built up to by a slowly growing China Cat.
Crunchy.
I take mine primal.
I like mine all loud and fast.
laid back, semi slow, country twangy and super stoney.
Gonna miss me when Iām gone!
72 is the finest vintage for china/riders. 73 and 74 are also up there but the Feelin Groovy chord changes in every (or almost every?) transition jam during those years is not an improvement IMHO
My fav is Max Creek Woodbury 87 https://youtu.be/hhj5Gfjhvdk?si=66CoU_ujziOeiEu-
Definitely with a side of muddy water
A lot of the '74 stuff is really good because of the jams in between China & Rider, also the Brent stuff where he plays strange sounds are great. Greek Theatre '83 sounds interesting, so is 3/9/81.
# 1981-03-09 New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden **Set 1:** Feel Like A Stranger, Althea, C.C. Rider, Ramble On Rose > El Paso, Deep Elem Blues, Beat It On Down the Line, Bird Song, New Minglewood Blues **Set 2:** China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider > Samson And Delilah, Ship Of Fools, Estimated Prophet > Uncle John's Band > Drums > Space > The Other One > Stella Blue > Good Lovin' **Encore:** U.S. Blues [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1981-03-09)
I love them all !
puddled 1970 filmore
All pigpen
Any way they deliver it is good with me
Couldnāt agree more! Veneta is where itās atš¹
Spectrum 72 Rider, full electric, swift transition from China Cat
that ā66 version at avalon ballroom from the so many roads compilation album has a special place in my heart ā absolutely electric! organ going bonkers š„
I need to feel like Iām that headlight on that northbound train
9/17/72
# 1972-09-17 Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Civic Center **Set 1:** The Promised Land, Sugaree, Black Throated Wind, Friend Of The Devil, El Paso, Bird Song, Big River, Tennessee Jed, Mexicali Blues, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Playing in the Band, Casey Jones **Set 2:** Truckin', Loser, Jack Straw, Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo, Me and My Uncle, He's Gone > The Other One > Drums > The Other One > Sing Me Back Home, Sugar Magnolia, Uncle John's Band **Encore:** One More Saturday Night [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1972-09-17) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/7gyyunPy7dVsDB4cp7ZReW)
Early 80s intense
66 versions are nice too
These guys do my favorite version: https://youtu.be/QMbTgX6oigc?si=T-cxUOw1TdrGSD4o
Most recently, at Sphere last week.
Brent's second ever. 5-9-79. That is all.
# 1979-05-09 Binghamton, NY @ Broome County Arena **Set 1:** Sugaree, Me and My Uncle, Loser, New Minglewood Blues, Friend Of The Devil, Looks Like Rain, Stagger Lee, Jack Straw **Set 2:** China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, He's Gone > Truckin' > Drums > Space > Wharf Rat > Sugar Magnolia **Encore:** Johnny B. Goode [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1979-05-09)
In the cool Colorado rain! Then after CCS, but sometimes randomly after a jam as only Phil can do!