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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49707


Submissions

5
Wharf Rat
Feb. 20, 1971
Capitol Theater

3rd ever and it's a beauty. Show uneven at first, then comes together with Cryptical>TOO>Wharf for some righteous Dead, looking for their '71 sound.
26
Cumberland Blues
Aug. 6, 1971
Hollywood Palladium

Along with every other bit of this concert, raging good time energy and virtuouso groupmind, aided of course by one of the most ultimate AUDs ever.
38
Good Lovin'
April 8, 1972
Wembley Empire Pool

Stop everything you're doing and listen to this now. No really, do it. Now.
55
Playin' In The Band
April 8, 1972
Wembley Empire Pool

Something happens to Playing' in Europe. Check 'em out, one by one and watch it grow. This one is the bomb. Outrageous shredding.
11
Big River
Feb. 22, 1974
Winterland Arena

Listen to this, then listen again for Jerry's solo: Come back and tell me Big River is a "throw away" song, cause he damn-well tears it up here.

Comments

Cosmic Charlie
Jan. 25, 1969
Avalon Ballroom

One of the best I know: They're having a blast. The growling grinding combination of Jerry and the keys (Pigpen? TC? both?) gives it an energetic tight swinging sound during the verses, and an unexpected almost punk-rock blown-amp sounding bridge to the "calling you" section. Cosmic Charlie is so legendary and mythic: People held banners at shows with the number of days past since it was last performed and annual set-lists would say Cosmic Charlie: 0 with a sad-face next to it. Hear it here in a uniquely tight and fun version.
Dark Star
Jan. 25, 1969
Avalon Ballroom

TC is too high in the mix, but so what? In most recordings of the era it's almost impossible to hear any indication of what he brought, so this is an interesting document if nothing else. It's also musically a whirligig of fun, even if a bit scattered in places. Deduct points for the mix if you must.
Turn On Your Love Light
Jan. 24, 1969
Avalon Ballroom

The stoned moron arhythmically yelling 'whoo whoooo' at the beginning and "Grateful Dead!!! Grateful Dead!!!" towards the end bring me right back to my tour days. ;-)
Dark Star
Jan. 24, 1969
Avalon Ballroom

Fans of the Live Dead-era should really know this one. Sonically it shares a lot with the more famous ones of the era, but its flow is just as perfect and the ideas and clear telepathy between Jerry and Bobby throughout is gorgeous. There may be a bit of a tuning or tape-speed wobble in places, but the C.Miller cleanup is pristine.
New Potato Caboose
Aug. 24, 1968
Shrine Auditorium

Jerry's solo can ignite paper at 1000 yards too. I mean Phil gets a lot of deserving love here, but I just gotta add that bit about the guitarist.