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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49682


Submissions

8
Stella Blue
Sept. 12, 1973
William and Mary College Hall

Beautiful comedown after an epic Eyes. Forgotten show or not, this is one of the best 2nd sets of the year - and that says a hell of a lot.
6
Let It Grow
Sept. 12, 1973
William and Mary College Hall

Unique Dead with the whole horn section. In places sounds like Nigerian Juju pop from the same era (King Sunny Adé or Fela's big band). Very cool.
3
Loose Lucy
Sept. 12, 1973
William and Mary College Hall

Sweaty funky and a little bit loose - just like the lady in the song.
8
Bird Song
Sept. 12, 1973
William and Mary College Hall

Extremely beautiful version with some AUD problems. Sparkling melodicism out of the perfect collective mind. A forgotten diamond.
4
Ramble On Rose
Sept. 12, 1973
William and Mary College Hall

Impassioned version like few others, with both Jer and Keith firing on all cylinders. Terrible AUD probs keep this show unknown, but worth a listen.

Comments

Morning Dew
Sept. 21, 1974
Palais Des Sports

This show gets maligned for its looseness and at times less-than-fully ensemble playing. But I have another take: it was the end of the tour, and besides the Winterland October run, quite possibly the last Grateful Dead show ever. They were tired, it seems clear, but they opened up the hatches and let everything out just to see what would happen. Result: this Dew is slower, more thoughtful, but no less intense. Blazing in places, then introspective, melancholy, and experimental. Give the show a generous listen. It's interesting because of its flaws, not only in spite of them.
Eyes Of The World
Sept. 21, 1974
Palais Des Sports

The heavy 'dark' quality here is quite bracing. Reminiscent of some of Miles Davis' music from the era: 'Bitches Brew' and Live-Evil, and Agharta/Pangaea. And I mean this in a most beautiful way. If some of you Heads don't know this particular seam of influence on our boys, then check it out.
Eyes Of The World
Sept. 21, 1974
Palais Des Sports

Damned double post. Sorry mates.
Fire On The Mountain
July 27, 1973
Grand Prix Racecourse

Listened again: it isn't only the two-chord FTM vamp jam that makes this a bone fide embryonic version: They're definitely working out melodic themes that would become the song we love from years later. Damn, I love the Dead.
Around and Around
May 25, 1977
The Mosque

Goddamn, but this whole 2nd set is just immortal. They knew they'd killed it: Just listen to half the band ending while the other half sez, "hell no, we ain't done yet" and then they break into double time. Almost seems like they'd have doubled it again, but maybe the theater manager was pointing at his watch or something. Fuck 'em, cause they weren't done yet and we get some Johnny B. Goode to send it off. Mmm mmm Goode indeed.