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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49667


Submissions

3
Dancin' in the Streets
Dec. 17, 1970
The Matrix

Questionable date, but unquestionably amazing. A great classic jam with a near-perfect recording for the time. A++
2
Morning Dew
Nov. 29, 1970
Club Agora

Rough AUD, but showcases a brilliant and intense buildup enhanced by what sounds like a Hammond B3. Deserves a cleanup, as much of 11.70 does.
2
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
Nov. 20, 1970
The Palestra, U. of Rochester

Beautiful jam here, with some great Jerry fuzztone soloing.
1
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Nov. 20, 1970
The Palestra, U. of Rochester

Nice warm AUD for the era, with a sparkling CCS and great transition into IKYR.
1
The Other One
Nov. 23, 1970
Anderson Theatre

Whether it's the 16th or the 23rd, it's a real humdinger. Perfect transition out of Truckin'.

Comments

Scarlet Begonias
June 3, 1976
Paramount Theatre

Revisiting after a long spell, and this is as pure as they come. No FoTM, but natch, it wasn't written yet. What a beauty.
Cassidy
June 3, 1976
Paramount Theatre

Years later and back for another dose of this historic show. Sure, there's some rough patches, but can you imagine being there as a head, waiting out the hiatus and they bust out with new repertoire including Cassidy? This is some of Barlow's greatest writing for the band, and I've always considered this one of the most philosophical songs in their oeuvre deceptively simple, but "scattered like lost words" speaks beauty, and "I can tell by the mark he left you were in his dream" is mysterious dark poetry of the highest order. This might not be the tightest version ever, but it's definitely one of the most satisfying - at least for me.
Sugar Magnolia
Dec. 31, 1972
Winterland Arena

Totally bonkers. Really, like zonkers bonkers: It's more uptempo - maybe our boys took their vitamins during the break - and Crosby's addition gives it an almost orchestral quality. Really a beauty.
The Other One
Dec. 31, 1972
Winterland Arena

Goes deep weird. (I love that.) But it also has a floaty ethereal passage before heading into Morning Dew that is just sublime. Phil and Billy's Drum and Bass solo is brilliant. Did they freakin' invent the genre? They did a similar solo on the 12th of the same month which is worth a listen, too.
Truckin'
Dec. 31, 1972
Winterland Arena

Scorching hot jam, with a great radio broadcast version on the Archive with a perfectly balanced soundboard. Everyone is audible, and they're deep in the pocket, plus Jerry is just inspiration on wheels. Truckin' when it's hot is unbeatable, and this one kicks off over an hour-long sweet sweet suite.