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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49667


Submissions

1
Big Railroad Blues
Dec. 31, 1970
Winterland Arena

Not on the list, but hidden in an unfortunately cut Easy Wind. Tinny recording but killer, fast, and furious jamming.
7
Smokestack Lightnin'
Dec. 28, 1970
Legion Stadium

Soulful pure blues. This is an intimate, informal show. It ain't slick, and that's just fine.
1
Playin' In The Band
April 15, 1971
Allegheny College

Only 2 months old, and 22nd time: They were working hard on it, and you can hear the explosive potential. Manic warbler mode, Main 10 at the surface.
1
Truckin'
Dec. 28, 1970
Legion Stadium

Tight simmering burner here, with nice Bobby/Jerry mix levels. Pig on organ is a little lost, so try headphones for some fun.
1
Me and Bobby McGee
Dec. 27, 1970
Legion Stadium

Starts simple and grows into a triumph. Can't help but think these meant a lot to the boys right after JJ's passing. Beautiful.

Comments

Comes A Time
Oct. 30, 1971
Taft Auditorium

Stunning, and includes the soon-dropped key second verse. This is a really powerful rendition.
Comes A Time
Dec. 4, 1971
Felt Forum, Madison Square Garden

Pure beauty. Somehow this song musically came into its own later - '76 and '77 are just bursting with beautiful versions, to say nothing of great versions through the Brent era - but there's something about the younger Jerry vox that pumps the song full of significance and powerful emotion. Is this song about anger, remorse and forgiveness? These are hella strong sentiments with additional meaning for a younger, less tour-weary man, and different from a more aged, slicker man in later stages, if y'all dig where I'm coming from.
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
Oct. 27, 1971
Onondaga War Memorial

Some shows have a little bit more grit in the gears and it works like magic. Throughout this show it seems like problems in the PA made everything a little bit punchier and aggressive. (The jam in Truckin' show this off nicely too.) I love the loose '71 sound, but a bit more frustration and testosterone brings out that hard-rocking quality too. Nice one.
Not Fade Away
Oct. 27, 1971
Onondaga War Memorial

Beautiful '69ish China Cat teases throughout the Jam.
Dark Star
Oct. 24, 1971
Easttown Theatre

Era Evangelist describes it well. Only thing to add is that about 11:00 into it they all come together in one mind and punch the hypersteller-overdrive button, leading to some glorious spontaneous combustion. One damned fine Dark Star.