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Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+47940


Submissions

6
Might As Well
July 18, 1976
Orpheum Theater

Barnburning storm burster so strong it blows out speakers around 03:30 in. Kicks off the party with Jerry in full form, vox and guitar.
3
New Minglewood Blues
July 18, 1976
Orpheum Theater

Maybe not everyone's favorite song (or anyone's), but this is the ballsiest most swaggering one since they busted it out. Great mix helps, too.
7
Cassidy
July 18, 1976
Orpheum Theater

Note for note perfection. Cassidy was a blazing glory during this whole Summer tour.
3
Johnny B. Goode
July 17, 1976
Orpheum Theatre

Keith could play a piano just like ringing a bell. Jeez, but he just slays it here. Show this to your kid learning the keyboard, damn.
5
Mama Tried
July 17, 1976
Orpheum Theatre

It's got everything nice about the '76 sound: Crisp and clean while laid back. Perfect execution.
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Comments

Cryptical Envelopment
Jan. 26, 1969
Avalon Ballroom

All about the reprise. This one cooks.
Caution
Jan. 25, 1969
Avalon Ballroom

Powerful doesn't begin to describe it. This is the Dangerous Dead, though pretty short for the era. This is the era when the Avalon would hold them to one-hour sets and the night before they cut off the electricity, so perhaps they were reigning it in.
Alligator
Jan. 25, 1969
Avalon Ballroom

Starts a little unfocused, but comes out of the drum solo and transitions into Caution with blow-your-hair-back force.
Cosmic Charlie
Jan. 25, 1969
Avalon Ballroom

One of the best I know: They're having a blast. The growling grinding combination of Jerry and the keys (Pigpen? TC? both?) gives it an energetic tight swinging sound during the verses, and an unexpected almost punk-rock blown-amp sounding bridge to the "calling you" section. Cosmic Charlie is so legendary and mythic: People held banners at shows with the number of days past since it was last performed and annual set-lists would say Cosmic Charlie: 0 with a sad-face next to it. Hear it here in a uniquely tight and fun version.
Dark Star
Jan. 25, 1969
Avalon Ballroom

TC is too high in the mix, but so what? In most recordings of the era it's almost impossible to hear any indication of what he brought, so this is an interesting document if nothing else. It's also musically a whirligig of fun, even if a bit scattered in places. Deduct points for the mix if you must.
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