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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49652


Submissions

3
Cumberland Blues
Dec. 15, 1971
Hill Auditorium

Joyful chaos: A brilliant splatter. Bobby's voice never sounded so good to me as it did in '71.
5
Mister Charlie
Dec. 15, 1971
Hill Auditorium

Pigpen at his best with the band at its grit-in-the-gears crunchiest. They were on this night and this one is just full of butt.
6
Wharf Rat
Dec. 12, 1973
Omni Coliseum

Very passionate version, some distortion or tape speed issues (?) remind me of my cassette trading days and bring out the trippiness to the song.
11
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Dec. 12, 1973
Omni Coliseum

If this hard grooving China jam and Feeling Groovy transition doesn't just get you moving, then nothing can. Just perfect.
10
Pretty Peggy O
Dec. 12, 1973
Omni Coliseum

First version ever is real nice... but listen to the soundcheck version for insight into the bands working dynamics. Cool to hear them working on it.

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.