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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

Deal
April 1, 1995
Pyramid Arena

cgarces, I agree that late-period Deals achieve different peaks from the earlier ones, and that unlike other songs, a mid-90s Deal doesn't just make me sad and alienated, but I can't agree that the top 70s versions are lacking anything by their own definition. Try 22.02.73 for a somewhat under the radar version. Plenty from '72 too. That said, I think my absolute favorite is from 7.19.1989, which even the most die-hard 70s fanatic has to admit kicks ass in all directions.
Playin' In The Band
Sept. 10, 1972
Hollywood Palladium

Keeps ratcheting up for the first ten minutes until you can actually feel yourself being pushed back in your chair and having your mind blown, then settles in and stretches out that ride for ten more.
Bird Song
Sept. 10, 1972
Hollywood Palladium

Great catch. A real understated beauty. It flies by on technicolor wind.
Here Comes Sunshine
Dec. 6, 1973
Public Hall

Jerry decides to go ahead and play every single note about 10 minutes in.
Dark Star
Oct. 28, 1972
Cleveland Public Hall

'Is Philo stomp' a thing? It sure should be. This is a great and under appreciated Dark Star. I wouldn't call it cluttered, but it does go through several changes, and has that joy-exploding Phil-led jam in it. The whole show is riddled with cuts though, not just the PITB. Hmm, I'm greedy mad jealous of my Grateful Dead, so on some esoteric plane this show is still being played, and we can hear it in all it's Dead glory, perfectly mixed, and I'm there with all of you. Man, Dark Star: it brings it on.