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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49667


Submissions

8
St. Stephen
Feb. 4, 1970
Family Dog at the Great Highway

Very cool NFA sandwich. It works well this way.
4
Dire Wolf
Feb. 1, 1970
The Warehouse

Starts with the chorus instead of the verse and a funny banter intro. Sweet version.
5
Katie Mae
Jan. 31, 1970
The Warehouse

As deep and simple a beautiful blues as they ever did. Pig's got the spirit of the Delta here alright. What a treat.
6
I've Been All Around This World
Jan. 31, 1970
The Warehouse

Simply gorgeous.
5
Little Sadie
Jan. 31, 1970
The Warehouse

Upvote for all Little Sadies, of course, but this one is special. Subtle, understated, and delicate: Jerry is barely whispering the lyrics. 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.