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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49712


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

Franklin's Tower
May 9, 1977
War Memorial

HSF show opener, May '77, what do guess happens next? The band is at peak tightness - with an especially switched on Phil somehow being both whitewater and raft throughout this excellent suite. The reason this probably hasn't shot up higher is that Jerry triplefucks the lyric. It doesn't break his stride at all, but that's the one flaw in the diamond.
Cassidy
June 15, 1976
Beacon Theatre

Summer '76 definitely brought out the best in Bobby and Donna as a vocal duo; and this early run also showcases Keith in his endlessly inventive cascading glory. This is a great version (alright, there are a few loose in the joints transitions, but it's the GD we're listening too, not Glenn Gould) that should have more than 2 votes!
Around and Around
June 14, 1976
Beacon Theatre

Funny moment where half the band goes into double time a chorus before the other half. A lesser band would have trainwrecked, but they pulled it together in the end. Cool slower version, though.
High Time
June 14, 1976
Beacon Theatre

This isn't just about the passionate vocals, but about the tremendous ensemble playing. Keith delivers perfect accents, the intensity swells and fades at brilliant moments, and Donna's sweet touches make this one unforgettable.
Lazy Lightnin' -> Supplication
June 14, 1976
Beacon Theatre

This is so hot. How this band jammed in 7/4 with such liquid flow is mind-boggling. Any musicians out there can confirm: It's an unforgiving time signature. Here they make it seem as easy as breathing, inspired and driven, and as wild as the lightning adrenaline Bobby's singing about.