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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49687


Submissions

45
Playin' In The Band
Dec. 19, 1973
Curtis Hixon Convention Hall

Really Heads? Not here yet? 21 minutes of super fine hotandheady jam. Blazing hot, capping off a year of just outrageous Playin' playing.
14
Candyman
April 15, 1970
Winterland Arena

Don't know the '70s versions enough to say "unique", but check this one out for beeeautiful vocals over light-as-light sweet acoustic playing.
21
Cold Rain and Snow
April 15, 1970
Winterland Arena

The boys start the show with all guns blazing. Seems like they'd open with this when they were most massive. Ahhhh, Winterland.
7
Jack Straw
Dec. 18, 1973
Curtis Hixon Convention Hall

The band has come together, the vocals are warm, the solos are sharp, so strap on boys and girls 'cause this show just ignites from here on out....
9
Caution
Sept. 20, 1970
Fillmore East

Great Caution, but absofreakinglutely outrageous feedback into the deep deep space and back. Face stolen, body floating -> Bid You Goodnight. Damn.
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Comments

Dancin' in the Streets
Oct. 10, 1976
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

About six minutes in the band hits the warp drive, followed not one, not two, but three or four shifts in tone and direction, creating whole new feelings and moods. It's unique and exploratory, while also hitting highlights of tight-assed superfunk. This is one of the best of the year, in a year full of just brilliant versions. The long transition to Wharf Rat is just amazing, and it's exactly what I listen for in the 1000s of hours I devote to this music.
Friend of the Devil
Oct. 10, 1976
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

Oomph and swagger here, with Donna's dulcet harmonies adding just that sweet touch that make the ballad interpretation so beautiful (though I'm partial to the uptempo bluegrass versions overall). This has a pulse that pushes against the tempo ever so nicely, helping the swing never drag. Keith leads a beautiful interlude during the middle section -- but then Jerry takes him to school with a blazing solo.
Deal
Oct. 10, 1976
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

90's Deal fans should have a listen here for a great example of how they could turn this out in any era when the spirit took them. Jerry is just on fire here.
Might As Well
Oct. 10, 1976
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

My personal theory is that they wouldn't play Might As Well unless Jerry was feeling pretty good, and it's therefore a decent indicator of an energetic show and good party. This show opener is no exception! The 9th gets all the love for its great 2nd set, but Dick knew what for by releasing it together with this show on the 10th. DP33 is genuinely better quality than the other versions on the Archive too.
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
Oct. 9, 1976
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Stadium

The Slipknot reprise out of Samson is tremendous, and as far as I know unique. Rebuilding slipknot from a totally different groove than normal is just wildly impressive. (Not that it could be easy out of Help on the Way either, it's just a known animal.)
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