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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49742


Submissions

4
Long Black Limousine
Jan. 31, 1970
The Warehouse

Showcases their versatility: Switched mid-way through an electric set into this moody beauty after Phil's amp blew out. Gorgeous.
3
Hard to Handle
Jan. 31, 1970
The Warehouse

More like the great '71s than the others from 1970. A hard enough rocker that it apparently nuked Phil's amp, leading to a wonderful acoustic set.
10
Dire Wolf
Jan. 31, 1970
The Warehouse

Introduced as a "paranoid fantasy song", but oh so sweet for all that. Perfect rendition.
13
Not Fade Away
Oct. 3, 1976
Cobo Arena

Part of an epic jam, plus an enormous China Cat tease at 10:45 in a 5-year spell without them. Very interesting groove, too.
7
Mason's Children
Jan. 31, 1970
The Warehouse

For anyone with a soft spot for psychedelic bubblegum, the jam the shit out of this one. Ruff cut in the middle though.
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Comments

Black Throated Wind
March 26, 1972
Academy of Music

Damn right. Sounds like they mastered it long before. Charlie Miller cleanup on this show is all that, too.
Estimated Prophet
May 25, 1977
The Mosque

Donnie's right here. I can't say this one touches the madness that makes this song so special. While my personal opinion is that the Dead were generally more musically interesting in '77 than they were in '91, I also think that the best Estimated Prophets convey jagged, off-kilter, schizophrenia, and could tip you over the edge given the right/wrong mental state. This one sounds like a work in progress - and I think this is one of, if not the best shows in all of '77.
How Sweet It Is
March 25, 1972
Academy of Music

This is one of the most brilliant versions of this song I've ever heard, whether or not I'm also a deadhead. (I am.) Donna never sounded better either.
Smokestack Lightnin'
March 25, 1972
Academy of Music

Pigpen comes out after an hour+ of, shall we say, a not-too-convincing Bo Diddley featuring the Grateful Dead set, and pours it on thick and luscious. Do you think he wanted to step up to Bo D. and say, "now that's how it's done", one bluesman to the next? It seems like the 'lil red rooster wanted to strut in his own backyard here. One of the best, and a painful reminder of how amazing Pigpen's sound could have blended with the emerging seventies Dead. It also sounds like half the band wanted to go into Truckin' for the last five minutes of vamping. Cool how it hovers around but never fully coalesces.
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
March 23, 1972
Academy of Music

Cucamonga's right here. This one has no business with only two votes. Were they completely on fire? Did they leave anyone alive? Did they have to replace all their equipment afterwards? Jeez, this one's a scorcher, and needs to be much higher up.
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