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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49667


Submissions

1
Big Railroad Blues
Dec. 31, 1970
Winterland Arena

Not on the list, but hidden in an unfortunately cut Easy Wind. Tinny recording but killer, fast, and furious jamming.
7
Smokestack Lightnin'
Dec. 28, 1970
Legion Stadium

Soulful pure blues. This is an intimate, informal show. It ain't slick, and that's just fine.
1
Playin' In The Band
April 15, 1971
Allegheny College

Only 2 months old, and 22nd time: They were working hard on it, and you can hear the explosive potential. Manic warbler mode, Main 10 at the surface.
1
Truckin'
Dec. 28, 1970
Legion Stadium

Tight simmering burner here, with nice Bobby/Jerry mix levels. Pig on organ is a little lost, so try headphones for some fun.
1
Me and Bobby McGee
Dec. 27, 1970
Legion Stadium

Starts simple and grows into a triumph. Can't help but think these meant a lot to the boys right after JJ's passing. Beautiful.

Comments

Let It Grow
June 23, 1976
Tower Theatre

Powerful, forceful, fast, and precise. This is the type of LIG that I would just go nuts for as a young head. This one is just rip-roaring from word go, has a blistering drum solo a greased lightning re-entry before smoothing the way for cool jam into Cosmic Charlie. This kind of "under the radar" jam is perfect for the era: LiG>CosmicC then SS>NFA>SS? How often did they play that combination?
Lazy Lightnin' -> Supplication
June 23, 1976
Tower Theatre

One of the best from June '76.
Big River
June 23, 1976
Tower Theatre

Takes a lot to get me to vote for a Big River, but you've got to hear Keith and Jerry's double solos here. Just perfect.
The Music Never Stopped
June 23, 1976
Tower Theatre

Slightly mellower tempo than some of the wild barn-burners of the time, but this lends itself to a sharp and spiffy show opener with a beautiful swimming interlude vocal (Donna haters notwithstanding) and great crowd pleasing starter. Summer '76 was some brilliant peak Dead, rolling out their next act. Don't skip this one.
Playin' In The Band
June 22, 1976
Tower Theatre

How the Dead can be simultaneously so understated and mellow, yet so tweakingly far out and experimental is one the musical mysteries. This is just wild stuff - it has all the electric-Miles feel mentioned above, but it has that unmistakable high-speed, low-altitude cruising. Around minute 18, after the short proto-FTM jam, Jerry just takes off and skims the treetops. Freeform beauty ensues as they move towards The Wheel.