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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

Mama Tried
June 14, 1976
Beacon Theatre

Uptempo and crackling with electric energy. This is another one to play any '76 skeptics out there who think everything was just too mellow!
Comes A Time
June 12, 1976
Music Hall

Gorgeous rising intensity. It's a bold move playing WR>CAT at the heart of the set. Both are slower, emotional ballads that can tip into funereal dirges if not fully charged up. They nail it here. The Rat is like seeing old friend, but the climax comes with the CAT. Dig it!
Looks Like Rain
June 12, 1976
Music Hall

Keith and Jerry combined release a soft torrent of warm rain across the soundscape. The beauty of this often-underrated song shines across this version.
Row Jimmy
June 12, 1976
Music Hall

Great slide work, and a nice take-your-time elegance to the whole number. "Not too fast and not too slow", indeed. Brilliant run, this set of Boston shows.
Stella Blue
June 11, 1976
Boston Music Hall

Go one better than the Betty Board and listen to the brand new (Oct. 2017) Charlie Miller clean-up. He's done us another solid boys and girls, and this show has quickly become one of my favorites from the great June '76 era. This Stella shows all the creative re-thinking that the band did during their time off: They're trying out subtle changes on the old repertoire, and introducing brilliant new songs, making the month one of the great under-the-radar eras of the band. This Stella is slower, but more deliberate, almost Black Peter-paced, and full of strong playing, great thoughtful jams, and a beautiful sound.