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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49667


Submissions

3
Cumberland Blues
Dec. 15, 1971
Hill Auditorium

Joyful chaos: A brilliant splatter. Bobby's voice never sounded so good to me as it did in '71.
5
Mister Charlie
Dec. 15, 1971
Hill Auditorium

Pigpen at his best with the band at its grit-in-the-gears crunchiest. They were on this night and this one is just full of butt.
6
Wharf Rat
Dec. 12, 1973
Omni Coliseum

Very passionate version, some distortion or tape speed issues (?) remind me of my cassette trading days and bring out the trippiness to the song.
11
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Dec. 12, 1973
Omni Coliseum

If this hard grooving China jam and Feeling Groovy transition doesn't just get you moving, then nothing can. Just perfect.
10
Pretty Peggy O
Dec. 12, 1973
Omni Coliseum

First version ever is real nice... but listen to the soundcheck version for insight into the bands working dynamics. Cool to hear them working on it.

Comments

Hard to Handle
April 27, 1971
Fillmore East

Damn right, hvd sleuth. I've not really a fan of the compilation 'highlights' approach and enjoy taking on whole concerts, which like this one give us a real time machine. This is the show with the weird Beach Boys interlude and Jerry ripping on 'Okie from Muskogee' (!!!). This H2H stands on its own, but seems more full of signifiers and meaning as part of the whole. Glad you dug it.
Hard to Handle
April 27, 1971
Fillmore East

Come on heads, the Hollywood version's got raw energy, but this one is just sitting there unloved. Vote it up! I'd say the musicianship here is up there with the best of them. It heats up, simmers along, starts boiling hard and heavy, then jumps into into supernova mode and The Theme at about 06:15 in. More Votes!
Let It Grow
June 9, 1976
Boston Music Hall

Play this for anyone who tells you that '76 was all about the slow.
Hard to Handle
Aug. 6, 1971
Hollywood Palladium

I recommend that fans of this one mosey on over to April '71 and listen to each and every version of H2H there. I won't contend this immortal monster's place at the top of the whole shebanging pile, but there are some massively underloved versions on the list. Just scroll down and click - they're all on this page. Enjoy 'em all heady friends.
Hard to Handle
April 22, 1971
Bangor Municipal Auditorium

April '71 is a peak month for the Dead and each H2H shows off who/what they were perfectly. No bad ones in this patch folks. Take the time to check 'em out if you like the Hollywood Palladium one from later this year - they don't disappoint. This one stands out for me with a super-tight and pressure-cooking jam leading to the out chorus.