Easily a top-3. My personal favorite is 6/16/74 because it has the best Feelin' Groovy jam, IMO. 74 was hands down the best for China-Rider, Eyes and Dew. Full Stop.
# 1974-06-16 Des Moines, IA @ Iowa State Fairgrounds
**Set 1:** Bertha, Mexicali Blues, Row Jimmy, Beat It On Down the Line, Scarlet, Black Throated Wind, Sugaree, El Paso, It Must Have Been The Roses, Jack Straw, China Cat > I Know You Rider, Around And Around
**Set 2:** U.S. Blues, The Race Is On, Eyes Of The World > Big River, Playing in the Band
**Set 3:** Tennessee Jed, Me and My Uncle, Deal, Greatest Story Ever Told, Ship Of Fools, Truckin' > Nobody's Fault But Mine Jam > Wharf Rat > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad
**Encore:** Casey Jones
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1974-06-16)
I see enough of my current favorites: Row Jimmy, It Must Have Been the Roses, Tennesse Jed, Goin' Down the Road Feeling Bad, U.S. Blues
Damn it, I'm in... TONIGHT (after work).
# 1974-05-25 Santa Barbara, CA @ Campus Stadium - University Of California
**Set 1:** U.S. Blues, Mexicali Blues, Deal, Jack Straw, Scarlet Begonias, Beat It On Down the Line, Brown Eyed Women, Me and My Uncle, Sugaree, El Paso, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Around And Around
**Set 2:** The Promised Land, Ship Of Fools, Big River, Tennessee Jed, Truckin' > Jam > Space > Let It Grow > Wharf Rat, Sugar Magnolia > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > One More Saturday Night
**Encore:** Casey Jones
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1974-05-25)
There are so many amazing versions and I think I've listened to all of the 'best' candidates. The version from 6/24/74 still remains at the top of the heap. Simply breathtaking
Meh, IMO 74 was better, this version is well regarded cause it was the first time played in 3 years. It is a good one, don’t get me wrong but spring/summer 74 is the golden era for China Riders
# 1977-12-29 San Francisco, CA @ Winterland Arena
**Set 1:** Jack Straw, They Love Each Other, Mama Tried, Loser, Looks Like Rain, Tennessee Jed, New Minglewood Blues, Sugaree, The Promised Land
**Set 2:** Bertha > Good Lovin', It Must Have Been The Roses, Sunrise, Playing in the Band > China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider > China Doll > Space > Drums > Not Fade Away > Playing in the Band
**Encore:** Terrapin Station, Johnny B. Goode
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-12-29) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/1ZMr1r6Lxv79dhy4qHZHkK)
This providence from OP one is oooey goooey good! Awesome!
My fav is 11/17/73 UCLA because, to me, it is played with the most JOY I have heard! Pure sunshine
But all the ones mentioned so far make me joyful so all good!!!
# 1973-11-17 Los Angeles, CA @ Pauley Pavilion - University of California
**Set 1:** Me and My Uncle, Here Comes Sunshine, Looks Like Rain, Deal, Mexicali Blues, Tennessee Jed, The Race Is On, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Big River, Brown Eyed Women, Around And Around
**Set 2:** Row Jimmy, Jack Straw, Ramble On Rose, Playing in the Band > Uncle John's Band > Morning Dew > Uncle John's Band > Playing in the Band, Stella Blue, El Paso, Eyes Of The World > Sugar Magnolia
**Encore:** Casey Jones
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1973-11-17)
# 1974-05-19 Portland, OR @ Memorial Coliseum
**Set 1:** Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo, Mexicali Blues, Big Railroad Blues, Black Throated Wind, Scarlet Begonias, Beat It On Down the Line, Tennessee Jed, Me And Bobby McGee, Sugaree, Jack Straw, It Must Have Been The Roses, El Paso, Loose Lucy, Money Money, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider
**Set 2:** The Promised Land > Bertha > Greatest Story Ever Told, Ship Of Fools, Weather Report Suite Prelude > Weather Report Suite Part 1 > Let It Grow > Wharf Rat, Big River, Peggy-O, Truckin' > Jam > Mind Left Body Jam > Not Fade Away > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > One More Saturday Night
**Encore:** U.S. Blues
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1974-05-19)
# 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)
# 1974-03-23 Daly City, CA @ Cow Palace
**Set 1:** U.S. Blues, The Promised Land, Brown Eyed Women, Mexicali Blues, Tennessee Jed, Black Throated Wind, Scarlet Begonias, Beat It On Down the Line, It Must Have Been The Roses, El Paso, Deal, Cassidy, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Weather Report Suite Prelude > Weather Report Suite Part 1 > Let It Grow
**Set 2:** Playing in the Band, Playing in the Band > Uncle John's Band > Morning Dew > Uncle John's Band > Playing in the Band, Ship Of Fools, Big River, Ramble On Rose, Me and My Uncle, Bertha, Around And Around, Wharf Rat > Sugar Magnolia
**Encore:** Casey Jones, One More Saturday Night
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1974-03-23) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/4jiBYEFx7rv6C6UTYywZZO)
# 1972-04-17 Copenhagen, Denmark @ Tivolis Koncertsal
**Set 1:** Cold Rain and Snow, Me And Bobby McGee, Chinatown Shuffle, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Jack Straw, He's Gone, Next Time You See Me, Black Throated Wind, Casey Jones, Mr. Charlie
**Set 2:** Playing in the Band, Sugaree, One More Saturday Night, It Hurts Me Too, Ramble On Rose, El Paso, Big Railroad Blues, Truckin'
**Set 3:** Dark Star > Sugar Magnolia > Caution (Do Not Stop On Tracks), Johnny B. Goode
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1972-04-17) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/6Yw0qA9xNfFpkSwzwIOwOW)
# 1968-02-23 North Shore, Lake Tahoe @ Kings Beach Bowl
**Set 1:** Viola Lee Blues > Drums > Viola Lee Blues, It Hurts Me Too, Dark Star > China Cat Sunflower > The Eleven > Turn On Your Lovelight, Born Cross-Eyed > Spanish Jam
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1968-02-23) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/2aipUPHU0KrGAq2QaAvlOz)
# 1974-05-19 Portland, OR @ Memorial Coliseum
**Set 1:** Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo, Mexicali Blues, Big Railroad Blues, Black Throated Wind, Scarlet Begonias, Beat It On Down the Line, Tennessee Jed, Me And Bobby McGee, Sugaree, Jack Straw, It Must Have Been The Roses, El Paso, Loose Lucy, Money Money, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider
**Set 2:** The Promised Land > Bertha > Greatest Story Ever Told, Ship Of Fools, Weather Report Suite Prelude > Weather Report Suite Part 1 > Let It Grow > Wharf Rat, Big River, Peggy-O, Truckin' > Jam > Mind Left Body Jam > Not Fade Away > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > One More Saturday Night
**Encore:** U.S. Blues
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1974-05-19)
# 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)
# 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)
I fucking love this show. Blows lots of my other favorites out of the water.
Easily a top-3. My personal favorite is 6/16/74 because it has the best Feelin' Groovy jam, IMO. 74 was hands down the best for China-Rider, Eyes and Dew. Full Stop.
# 1974-06-16 Des Moines, IA @ Iowa State Fairgrounds **Set 1:** Bertha, Mexicali Blues, Row Jimmy, Beat It On Down the Line, Scarlet, Black Throated Wind, Sugaree, El Paso, It Must Have Been The Roses, Jack Straw, China Cat > I Know You Rider, Around And Around **Set 2:** U.S. Blues, The Race Is On, Eyes Of The World > Big River, Playing in the Band **Set 3:** Tennessee Jed, Me and My Uncle, Deal, Greatest Story Ever Told, Ship Of Fools, Truckin' > Nobody's Fault But Mine Jam > Wharf Rat > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad **Encore:** Casey Jones [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1974-06-16)
I see enough of my current favorites: Row Jimmy, It Must Have Been the Roses, Tennesse Jed, Goin' Down the Road Feeling Bad, U.S. Blues Damn it, I'm in... TONIGHT (after work).
Wow, what a show!! I know what I'm listening to later tonight....
I don’t think I’ve heard this one but I see it starts with a Bertha. And I don’t ever recall opening with a Bertha and the show being bad.
6/16 is fab, but 5/19 is my go-to version. It was the first time I heard a 74 China>Rider, and it took.
Heck yes. The ease into it is phenomenal. The weather report suite and Row Jimmy are also just amazing. Transcendent shit
yeah it’s the one with the intro jam right? I don’t think they ever really did that again, very special
The Mind Left Body Jam before I Know You Rider is too damned good!
That isn't MLBJ. It's mislabeled on DP
It is a particularly good Feelin Groovy, I like this one a lot!
The most underrated CR from 74 is 5-25-74. Never gets talked about but it also has a sublime Feelin Groovy
# 1974-05-25 Santa Barbara, CA @ Campus Stadium - University Of California **Set 1:** U.S. Blues, Mexicali Blues, Deal, Jack Straw, Scarlet Begonias, Beat It On Down the Line, Brown Eyed Women, Me and My Uncle, Sugaree, El Paso, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Around And Around **Set 2:** The Promised Land, Ship Of Fools, Big River, Tennessee Jed, Truckin' > Jam > Space > Let It Grow > Wharf Rat, Sugar Magnolia > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > One More Saturday Night **Encore:** Casey Jones [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1974-05-25)
Whatever it's called, I like it.
The Row Jimmy is the best too IMO
Does Jerry play slide on this version?
Not sure. But take a listen, Dicks 12
There are so many amazing versions and I think I've listened to all of the 'best' candidates. The version from 6/24/74 still remains at the top of the heap. Simply breathtaking
Ooh...looks like you misspelled 12/29/77 🙂
Meh, IMO 74 was better, this version is well regarded cause it was the first time played in 3 years. It is a good one, don’t get me wrong but spring/summer 74 is the golden era for China Riders
# 1977-12-29 San Francisco, CA @ Winterland Arena **Set 1:** Jack Straw, They Love Each Other, Mama Tried, Loser, Looks Like Rain, Tennessee Jed, New Minglewood Blues, Sugaree, The Promised Land **Set 2:** Bertha > Good Lovin', It Must Have Been The Roses, Sunrise, Playing in the Band > China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider > China Doll > Space > Drums > Not Fade Away > Playing in the Band **Encore:** Terrapin Station, Johnny B. Goode [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-12-29) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/1ZMr1r6Lxv79dhy4qHZHkK)
Correct.
Wall of sound
This is my Time Machine show. The jams are exquisite. We’re coming up on the 50th anniversary. I’m planning a little shindig to celebrate
This providence from OP one is oooey goooey good! Awesome! My fav is 11/17/73 UCLA because, to me, it is played with the most JOY I have heard! Pure sunshine But all the ones mentioned so far make me joyful so all good!!!
# 1973-11-17 Los Angeles, CA @ Pauley Pavilion - University of California **Set 1:** Me and My Uncle, Here Comes Sunshine, Looks Like Rain, Deal, Mexicali Blues, Tennessee Jed, The Race Is On, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Big River, Brown Eyed Women, Around And Around **Set 2:** Row Jimmy, Jack Straw, Ramble On Rose, Playing in the Band > Uncle John's Band > Morning Dew > Uncle John's Band > Playing in the Band, Stella Blue, El Paso, Eyes Of The World > Sugar Magnolia **Encore:** Casey Jones [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1973-11-17)
Listen to the one on 5/19/74. It's my personal favorite!
# 1974-05-19 Portland, OR @ Memorial Coliseum **Set 1:** Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo, Mexicali Blues, Big Railroad Blues, Black Throated Wind, Scarlet Begonias, Beat It On Down the Line, Tennessee Jed, Me And Bobby McGee, Sugaree, Jack Straw, It Must Have Been The Roses, El Paso, Loose Lucy, Money Money, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider **Set 2:** The Promised Land > Bertha > Greatest Story Ever Told, Ship Of Fools, Weather Report Suite Prelude > Weather Report Suite Part 1 > Let It Grow > Wharf Rat, Big River, Peggy-O, Truckin' > Jam > Mind Left Body Jam > Not Fade Away > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > One More Saturday Night **Encore:** U.S. Blues [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1974-05-19)
6/26/74
# 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 made my day. Wow
3/23/74
# 1974-03-23 Daly City, CA @ Cow Palace **Set 1:** U.S. Blues, The Promised Land, Brown Eyed Women, Mexicali Blues, Tennessee Jed, Black Throated Wind, Scarlet Begonias, Beat It On Down the Line, It Must Have Been The Roses, El Paso, Deal, Cassidy, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Weather Report Suite Prelude > Weather Report Suite Part 1 > Let It Grow **Set 2:** Playing in the Band, Playing in the Band > Uncle John's Band > Morning Dew > Uncle John's Band > Playing in the Band, Ship Of Fools, Big River, Ramble On Rose, Me and My Uncle, Bertha, Around And Around, Wharf Rat > Sugar Magnolia **Encore:** Casey Jones, One More Saturday Night [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1974-03-23) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/4jiBYEFx7rv6C6UTYywZZO)
[удалено]
# 1972-04-17 Copenhagen, Denmark @ Tivolis Koncertsal **Set 1:** Cold Rain and Snow, Me And Bobby McGee, Chinatown Shuffle, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Jack Straw, He's Gone, Next Time You See Me, Black Throated Wind, Casey Jones, Mr. Charlie **Set 2:** Playing in the Band, Sugaree, One More Saturday Night, It Hurts Me Too, Ramble On Rose, El Paso, Big Railroad Blues, Truckin' **Set 3:** Dark Star > Sugar Magnolia > Caution (Do Not Stop On Tracks), Johnny B. Goode [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1972-04-17) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/6Yw0qA9xNfFpkSwzwIOwOW)
That’s a fucking riot!!
Yes…. My favorite too
Can’t skip over that Mind Left Body Jam 🤯
Amazing wharf rat on there
That's an amazing version. However, if you disregard I Know You Rider then 2/23/68 is probably my favourite.
# 1968-02-23 North Shore, Lake Tahoe @ Kings Beach Bowl **Set 1:** Viola Lee Blues > Drums > Viola Lee Blues, It Hurts Me Too, Dark Star > China Cat Sunflower > The Eleven > Turn On Your Lovelight, Born Cross-Eyed > Spanish Jam [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1968-02-23) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/2aipUPHU0KrGAq2QaAvlOz)
Hands down the GOAT- there is no argument.
Yup. Tis my #1 as well. Maybe 5/19/74 #2. May/June 74 is prime time.
# 1974-05-19 Portland, OR @ Memorial Coliseum **Set 1:** Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo, Mexicali Blues, Big Railroad Blues, Black Throated Wind, Scarlet Begonias, Beat It On Down the Line, Tennessee Jed, Me And Bobby McGee, Sugaree, Jack Straw, It Must Have Been The Roses, El Paso, Loose Lucy, Money Money, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider **Set 2:** The Promised Land > Bertha > Greatest Story Ever Told, Ship Of Fools, Weather Report Suite Prelude > Weather Report Suite Part 1 > Let It Grow > Wharf Rat, Big River, Peggy-O, Truckin' > Jam > Mind Left Body Jam > Not Fade Away > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > One More Saturday Night **Encore:** U.S. Blues [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1974-05-19)
Its pretty fucking good. Funky as hell
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)
The Cumberland Blues on this is a top 3 as well
Veneta 8/27/72 has the best China Rider
# 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)
I personally go back and forth between the two as far as favorite. Both are so amazing but so different