And a nod to late 2nd set Berthas. I think I only got a few of those, most notably NYE 81 coming out of Dark Star and the Dead/Dylan show in Oakland with the great video visuals (July 87).
Feel Like a Stranger
Sugaree
Me and My Uncle
Big River
Peggy-O
C.C. Rider
Althea
Passenger
China Cat Sunflower
I Know You Rider
Alabama Getaway
Greatest Story Ever Told
Ship of Fools
Lost Sailor
Saint of Circumstance
drums
The Other One
Stella Blue
I Need a Miracle
Bertha
Good Lovin'
>>>Last time that trio was played together per Setlists.net Also $$$ in '81 was: May 4th Bertha>Greatest set 1 closer & May 16th Shakedown Street>Bertha opens set 2
its a tough call cuz there are many from 71-77 that sound better overall, but without the big bass bomb after "why dont you arrest me" and "throw me in the jailhouse" the song really doesnt hit the same. does anyone know exactly when they started doing that? when i listen to shows im a big "skip to end of first set or beginning of second set" kinda guy so i dont really have the bertha lore on the tip of my tongue like the real full show chads might
Personally, I don't think that there was anything from the Grateful Dead that was "best" in 1987/88.
I was however always happy to hear a Bertha in that era, because I've always loved that song but mainly because for just a moment at the beginning I would think it might be Touch of Grey, a song that took years to grow on me.
If we're talking about best/favorite versions, give me the one on Skull & Roses.
Faced with such a challenging question, I went to today's expert on everything. AI.
Here is what I came up with:
Because "best" is highly subjective and depends on whether you are talking about golf clubs or the Grateful Dead song, here are the standout, hall-of-fame years for both.
1971: The debut year. These versions—especially the legendary one on the live Skull & Roses album—feature a raw, blistering energy.
1972: The Europe '72 tour features some of the most famous and refined renditions of the song, highlighted by sharp execution.
1977: The peak of "feel-good" Dead. Shows from this year (like the May 9 Buffalo or May 21 Lakeland performances) feature a smooth, laid-back groove and stellar guitar tones.
1978: Known for upbeat, high-tempo, and intense jamming, particularly the famous July 8 Red Rocks performance.
As for the human side of me, uhh.. 87 - 88? Surly U jest.
I saw my first Bertha in 72. It kicked. Overall my favs where in 73.
That said, I saw a killer MSG shoe somewhere in the mid 80's that had a killer 2nd set Bertha.
Phil dropped the biggest Phil Bomb EVAH. It rocked my world, then some.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Def. High Surfdead
on Saturday, May 23, 2026 – 09:31 am
I like the 71-72 ones better.
I like the 71-72 ones better.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: intentionally blank mikeedwardsetc
on Saturday, May 23, 2026 – 10:14 am
Bertha had a good run from
Bertha had a good run from start to finish, I'd say.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mike Dalton Dalton
on Saturday, May 23, 2026 – 02:15 pm
And a nod to late 2nd set
And a nod to late 2nd set Berthas. I think I only got a few of those, most notably NYE 81 coming out of Dark Star and the Dead/Dylan show in Oakland with the great video visuals (July 87).
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: plj jlp
on Saturday, May 23, 2026 – 05:22 pm
i had a hard on
i had a hard on
running from your window
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: TommyGutt deadtothecore2
on Saturday, May 23, 2026 – 06:03 pm
Bertha good lovin umm early
Bertha good lovin umm early 80's east coast,can't remember where but finishing a shoe with that combo was a special treat
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Strangha Slickrock
on Sunday, May 24, 2026 – 10:20 am
If you can get Zoners to "all
If you can get Zoners to "all agree," I'll buy your plane ticket to the Middle East and have you work on that region. Love "Bertha."
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Briank Briank
on Sunday, May 24, 2026 – 01:16 pm
Deal and Estimated also found
Deal and Estimated also found new heights in the late 80s, and LLR too.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Joe Buck is Back masonskids
on Sunday, May 24, 2026 – 01:19 pm
Cold Rain as well?
Cold Rain as well?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: TommyGutt deadtothecore2
on Sunday, May 24, 2026 – 03:36 pm
Dis one smokes...
Dis one smokes...
Hartford Civic Center - March 14, 1981
setlist
Feel Like a Stranger
Sugaree
Me and My Uncle
Big River
Peggy-O
C.C. Rider
Althea
Passenger
China Cat Sunflower
I Know You Rider
Alabama Getaway
Greatest Story Ever Told
Ship of Fools
Lost Sailor
Saint of Circumstance
drums
The Other One
Stella Blue
I Need a Miracle
Bertha
Good Lovin'
One More Saturday Night
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: krab groad1123
on Sunday, May 24, 2026 – 03:55 pm
I Need a Miracle
I Need a Miracle
Bertha
Good Lovin'
>>>Last time that trio was played together per Setlists.net Also $$$ in '81 was: May 4th Bertha>Greatest set 1 closer & May 16th Shakedown Street>Bertha opens set 2
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Dr. Benway daylight
on Sunday, May 24, 2026 – 03:58 pm
its a tough call cuz there
its a tough call cuz there are many from 71-77 that sound better overall, but without the big bass bomb after "why dont you arrest me" and "throw me in the jailhouse" the song really doesnt hit the same. does anyone know exactly when they started doing that? when i listen to shows im a big "skip to end of first set or beginning of second set" kinda guy so i dont really have the bertha lore on the tip of my tongue like the real full show chads might
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: JP (J Bomb) Tatters
on Sunday, May 24, 2026 – 04:37 pm
Cold Rain as well?<<<
Cold Rain as well?<<<
Good point.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: intentionally blank mikeedwardsetc
on Sunday, May 24, 2026 – 07:35 pm
> the big bass bomb after
> the big bass bomb after "why dont you arrest me" and "throw me in the jailhouse"
A fine example here. Second set opener. MSG. 09/20/1988.
https://archive.org/details/gd88-09-20.sbd.jeff.2422.sbeok.shnf/gd88-09-...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lance HTT Newberry heathentom
on Sunday, May 24, 2026 – 08:10 pm
Personally, I don't think
Personally, I don't think that there was anything from the Grateful Dead that was "best" in 1987/88.
I was however always happy to hear a Bertha in that era, because I've always loved that song but mainly because for just a moment at the beginning I would think it might be Touch of Grey, a song that took years to grow on me.
If we're talking about best/favorite versions, give me the one on Skull & Roses.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Joe Buck is Back masonskids
on Monday, May 25, 2026 – 11:29 am
Mike, I was jamming on that
Mike, I was jamming on that one yesterday while I was in the shower. That a very tight show and sounds great on the playdead app.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Dave Nycdave
on Monday, May 25, 2026 – 12:56 pm
Faced with such a challenging
Faced with such a challenging question, I went to today's expert on everything. AI.
Here is what I came up with:
Because "best" is highly subjective and depends on whether you are talking about golf clubs or the Grateful Dead song, here are the standout, hall-of-fame years for both.
1971: The debut year. These versions—especially the legendary one on the live Skull & Roses album—feature a raw, blistering energy.
1972: The Europe '72 tour features some of the most famous and refined renditions of the song, highlighted by sharp execution.
1977: The peak of "feel-good" Dead. Shows from this year (like the May 9 Buffalo or May 21 Lakeland performances) feature a smooth, laid-back groove and stellar guitar tones.
1978: Known for upbeat, high-tempo, and intense jamming, particularly the famous July 8 Red Rocks performance.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Bob Jamspace
on Monday, May 25, 2026 – 01:17 pm
Can't agree with that.
Can't agree.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Dave Nycdave
on Monday, May 25, 2026 – 01:32 pm
As for the human side of me,
As for the human side of me, uhh.. 87 - 88? Surly U jest.
I saw my first Bertha in 72. It kicked. Overall my favs where in 73.
That said, I saw a killer MSG shoe somewhere in the mid 80's that had a killer 2nd set Bertha.
Phil dropped the biggest Phil Bomb EVAH. It rocked my world, then some.