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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49707


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

The Eleven
March 17, 1968
Carousel Ballroom

Jump on this wild Carousel ride folks. Because this isn't on the archive I hadn't heard it until now, but it's the bomb. From its note-for-note perfect transition out of China Cat to one of their tightest performance of the lyrics, then its broiling-hot furnace of a jam into Caution, this should be up there with the best of them.
New Potato Caboose
March 17, 1968
Carousel Ballroom

While I love this and am happy to have the Download series, I feel like it lacks the crackling high-voltage danger that many of the recordings from the era have. This isn't about their performance, which is f'n brilliant, but the compressed sound. I'm guessing that they had to compromise on crispness to get a better balance in the mix. Still, it's '68 Dead and I love it.
Turn On Your Love Light
March 17, 1968
Carousel Ballroom

The Download series has a warm but muted sound quality that makes this both hot and cool at the same time. This version doesn't have the wild Pig life-coaching that came later, but does have that brilliant '68 ensemble jamming that blows your hair back and steals your face, leaving nothing but perma-grin.
Turn On Your Love Light
March 17, 1968
Carousel Ballroom

The Download series has a warm but muted sound quality that makes this both hot and cool at the same time. This version doesn't have the wild Pig life-coaching that came later, but does have that brilliant '68 ensemble jamming that blows your hair back and steals your face, leaving nothing but perma-grin.
Mama Tried
Feb. 26, 1977
Swing Auditorium

Everyone loves the Swing, but don't skip the Mama!