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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49667


Submissions

4
The Eleven
March 30, 1968
Carousel Ballroom

The China Cat>The Eleven sequence was always very cool and this one burns hot and fast. Don't wanna just put all of 'em up here, but this is a cooker.
5
Dark Star
March 30, 1968
Carousel Ballroom

A short little gem: Nice clear solo ideas and tight ensemble playing with that bursting-at-the-seams energy from the Anthem era.
2
The Other One
March 30, 1968
Carousel Ballroom

It's '68 and the boys are on fire. This one pins you to the wall all its the sharp turns and jagged explosiveness. Hard pschedelic rock.
7
The Eleven
April 21, 1969
The Ark

So blisteringly hot. All three Ark '69 shows are brilliant, but this is the clearest example of their brilliance on Eleven.
4
Playin' In The Band
Dec. 15, 1971
Hill Auditorium

Just listened to it 4x in a row, something I never do. The whole intense Playin' universe packed into under 7min. Could be my favourite '71.

Comments

The Other One
April 7, 1972
Wembley Empire Pool

No doubt about it. They kick off the tour with a killer TOO, which is a stand-alone great that deserves to be higher. But considering the Playin'>Truckin> that proceeds it, it's out-and-out jaw dropping: Many faces stolen in Britain that night....
Truckin'
April 7, 1972
Wembley Empire Pool

There are reasons why people who don't know the Dead or who've never gone to a show know Truckin'. Listen here and you get reminded why. This whole segment of Playin'>Truckin'>TOO is brilliant.
Playin' In The Band
June 17, 1972
Hollywood Bowl

This one is a minor beast, and though short, packs a whole lotta music into it.
Playin' In The Band
April 7, 1972
Wembley Empire Pool

This one is pretty fuckin' hard rock, too. Everything said above is right on. The 10 minute versions from this era have dropped all the '71 country sound, and this one also is notable for not having any The Main Ten interlude after the melody. Playin' starts to lift off from right at this point.
Black Throated Wind
April 7, 1972
Wembley Empire Pool

Best one ever, chronologically speaking. I think this shows just how hard they were working on their new songs, as each show shows new heights. The next night goes even higher, but what a pleasure it is to listen to these shows in order....