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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+48135


Submissions

3
Sugaree
Nov. 14, 1972
Oklahoma City Music Hall

So smooth, so warm. 2nd song in the show, and they sound like its late 2nd set. Gem of a show, gem of a song.
1
Brown Eyed Women
Nov. 13, 1972
Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall

The Bear tape is a bit over-saturated, but the band is just killing it from all corners. Don't pass this one up out of aud-o-phobia.
3
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Nov. 13, 1972
Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall

Look for the Bear recording, which is the proper speed: You'll find a killer version with an explosive transition than just soars.
1
Loser
Nov. 13, 1972
Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall

Jerry's diamond hard-edged tone slices and slashes achingly, hauntingly, and clear desperado mode.
5
Bird Song
Nov. 12, 1972
Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Hall

Just Jerry, Phil, and Bobby are audible in this weird tape - but what a study of their communication. Worth a listen for that alone.

Comments

The Eleven
Feb. 11, 1969
Fillmore East

This has to be one of the most up-tempo versions they ever played, and they skipped the lyrics, but so what. (Sounds like they're looking to drop them in around minute four, but they hit the kick into the blues groove instead). Keeping 11/8 groove going like this is no mean feat, they just slay it every which way. Powerful stuff from '69.
St. Stephen
Feb. 11, 1969
Fillmore East

Moves along nicely until they find the turbo button and it then it gets shot out of the cannon and gears up brilliantly for the last verse and WTO>11.
Mountains of the Moon
Feb. 11, 1969
Fillmore East

Beautiful, subtle, great mix cleanup on the box set version. Phil's steady pulse underscores Tom's gentle keys, and Jerry sings like an angel. It really doesn't get better than this according to this old Carrion Crow.
Dupree's Diamond Blues
Feb. 11, 1969
Fillmore East

The banter alone is worth an upvote, with Bill Graham is gifted a cowbell and inducted into the band.... Then the late show starts with this sweet, simple version. That's presumably TC on the steam calliope and who but the Dead would even try such a thing?!?
Dark Star
April 24, 1972
Rheinhalle

Back here for more. It's really that good. After nearly 40 minutes of creating whole cosmos out of the air it almost sounds like they might land back into Playin' then maybe back into Dark Star melody for the second chorus, then into that beautiful Wharf Rat. Like a spinning twenty-sided die it could have landed anywhere, perfectly. G'damn, but this one deserves its spot on the front page.