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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49677


Submissions

2
Big Railroad Blues
Aug. 15, 1971
Berkeley Community Theater

Kicks off an excellent show with intense and driving energy. The quintet is super-charged and bursting with energy. One of the best versions I know.
2
Playin' In The Band
Aug. 14, 1971
Berkeley Community Theater

Packs a lot into its 4.5 short minutes. Great bass-heavy SBD gives you a Phil masterclass. Love the short ones, love the long ones....
4
Casey Jones
Aug. 5, 1971
Hollywood Palladium

Just kickin', this one. The whole show is dynamite.
2
El Paso
Aug. 4, 1971
Terminal Island Correctional Facility

One of the slower waltz versions, with lovely vocals from Cowboy Bob, who gives us a nice country warble. Sweet backup harmony and Jer being Jer.
6
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Aug. 4, 1971
Terminal Island Correctional Facility

Philzone masterclass. Hot and tight jam, the Rider three-part harmonies sound like some of the acoustic versions from the previous year.

Comments

Playin' In The Band
Nov. 15, 1972
Oklahoma City Music Hall

"Triumphant return" is a perfect description, darkstar67. My tastes run the same.
Playin' In The Band
Nov. 15, 1972
Oklahoma City Music Hall

Hot and fast jamming that never goes full-tweaking brain-melt like some of the others from right around this time. More than anything this benefits from a profoundly satisfying mix, allowing us to hear everyone in a lush soundscape, like we're right up there on stage with them. Jerry's got endless creative energy, Bobby's perfectly accenting and feeding him, and Keith is tremendous here too. This could be top shelf by anyone's standards.
Cumberland Blues
Nov. 15, 1972
Oklahoma City Music Hall

As much as I love the two-drummer eras, there are certain moments and songs where Billy alone seems so much better. Listen to his shitkickin' coal-car shuffle here and tell me it would have been improved with Mickey doubling up on every backbeat.
Candyman
Nov. 15, 1972
Oklahoma City Music Hall

Agreed with Broken Compass, this one is pretty damn close to perfect. It has everything: Strong vocals, including the harmonies, muscular - even swaggering soloing - and the emotional onslaught of some of the greatest lyrics off American Beauty. They even sound a bit "cowboy Dead" à la 1970 here. What a gem.
Bird Song
Nov. 15, 1972
Oklahoma City Music Hall

Beautiful melodicism and the vox, as noted is just so sweet.