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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

Estimated Prophet
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

7/4 time is extremely tough to groove to, but they not only find their way, but somehow seem to soar over it. For my money, Estimated is one of their most conceptually complex songs, musically, lyrics-wise, and in terms of the thematics of madness. Check out the conversation at The Well about it.
Jack Straw
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

I wouldn't call it "laid back" like brother Dante sez, but more "outta flippin' sight". Jerry tore it open with the Might As Well opener, but Bobby stepped right up and conquers it with this warm-up. With energy like these two to start the show, you just know the heads lucky enough to be there were in for a good one. One of the best from '77, and that tells you something!
Caution
Aug. 23, 1968
Shrine Auditorium

And now a comment on the '2nd show' - probably the real date. It's buried in the track listed "Drums Alligator" and it will blister your brain and melt your bones. Hard driving acid Dead here, folks. Just goddamned amazing music.
Caution
Aug. 23, 1968
Shrine Auditorium

Loads of confusion re: the source tapes and dates. Archive has a two separate shows on one date, (the "live concert" version). This comment is for the 'first show', which is apparently from some unknown date, but who cares! It's freaking amazing. Souped up and fast, with Pig in fine, if not slightly slurred form, it's a brilliant snapshot of the power psychedelia of the time. I'll listen to the 'real' 23.08 next, which is evidently on 2FTV.
Alligator
Aug. 21, 1968
Fillmore West

Mountain Jam melody clearly stated at 05:00. (Along with a whole "We Bid You Goodnight" melody 90 seconds later.) This jam is massively epic. I always somehow come back to '68 and '69 as the source of it all.