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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+48136


Submissions

14
He's Gone
Oct. 2, 1972
Springfield Civic Center

Extra-special sauce on this one: The outro goes into a long unique jam before the gospel bit. The band is completely unified.
6
Cumberland Blues
Oct. 2, 1972
Springfield Civic Center

Tight frolic, without the verge-of-chaos coal car vibe from the era. Bobby's contrib. is spot on, and Jer drops a "Went to Toledo" quote.
5
Black Throated Wind
Oct. 2, 1972
Springfield Civic Center

A perfectly rendered, tightly orchestrated soaring arc from one of the most inexplicably underated shows of Fall '72. Listen in: Bobby's in pure form.
10
Playin' In The Band
Oct. 2, 1972
Springfield Civic Center

I have trouble understanding why this isn't already here, other than the embarrassment of riches that is Fall '72.
4
Big Railroad Blues
Oct. 2, 1972
Springfield Civic Center

One of the best I know. Hard chargin' and up tempo hot stuff.

Comments

Scarlet Begonias
March 20, 1977
Winterland Arena

That ending scrambled some brains, my god. That said, I can't be the only one who thinks that for all if its glory, Scarlet/Fire gave up the awesome lead-up to Scarlet's punctuated ending (here beginning around minute 11:00) that couldn't be regained when it always morphed into FoTM. But can we also have a moment for that rising intensity Jerry-driven insanity starting with the solo after "let her pass by"? Keith's kool kooky Kraftwerky keyboards also give this a nice Mars-era throwback sound (like the Phil and Ned stuff) during the slow sizzle period before that oooooh god-yes ending.
Estimated Prophet
March 20, 1977
Winterland Arena

Anyone here who's attempted to jam in 7/4 knows how outrageously hard it is to make this so smooooooth. Jerry is overflowing with ideas, laying back but telling you everything you need to hear. Keith's toy-piano-on-a-fritzed-amp sound is pretty weird too, making this a fun spooky-good version.
Beat it on Down The Line
March 20, 1977
Winterland Arena

I have to agree that this isn't the top of the line for me. You want a BIODTL stripped down in kerosene to its pure rock-and-roll essence? Try March 18, 1967, cause it'll curl your straight hair and straighten your curls. Plus it was also at Winterland, so that's kinda kool too.
Deal
March 20, 1977
Winterland Arena

Love this version. Deal comes out of Jerry's guitar like it was his very heartbeat. Solo after solo, this was his vehicle. This one is mellow and swinging, still conveying a bit of that '76 sweetness, and includes an extended out-chorus with nice ensemble harmonies.
El Paso
March 20, 1977
Winterland Arena

Right on Beggar's Tomb, that's right. I also use Truckin' in the same way. These are songs these guys could play in their sleep, and, c'mon y'all let's admit, they sometimes did. When they're as hot and tight as this, you know it's all going to be good.