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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+49667


Submissions

5
Mama Tried
May 15, 1970
Fillmore East (Late Show)

With the NRPS and ridiculously perfect. Perfect vocals and Jerry's '70 pedal steel sound. Amazing.
6
Good Morning Little Schoolgirl
May 14, 1970
Merramec Community College

Tight version, excellent Pig harp solo, then Jerry on bottle neck? Is that a slide? It's freakin' awesome, and the strong pulse makes it excellent.
4
Good Lovin'
May 14, 1970
Merramec Community College

Aight, we're going to just big up this whole show. This is delicious eat-me goo. Damn. May '70 is prime love. Dig the great recording too.
4
High Time
May 14, 1970
Merramec Community College

The vocals throughout this show are sublime. This is the era of three-part harmony. They were just so fresh, and every moment is a treat. Enjoy.
3
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
May 14, 1970
Merramec Community College

Crystal clear version, not sure why it's been overlooked. Beautiful vocals, great recording, indicative of the transition sound of the era.

Comments

Morning Dew
Sept. 21, 1974
Palais Des Sports

This show gets maligned for its looseness and at times less-than-fully ensemble playing. But I have another take: it was the end of the tour, and besides the Winterland October run, quite possibly the last Grateful Dead show ever. They were tired, it seems clear, but they opened up the hatches and let everything out just to see what would happen. Result: this Dew is slower, more thoughtful, but no less intense. Blazing in places, then introspective, melancholy, and experimental. Give the show a generous listen. It's interesting because of its flaws, not only in spite of them.
Eyes Of The World
Sept. 21, 1974
Palais Des Sports

The heavy 'dark' quality here is quite bracing. Reminiscent of some of Miles Davis' music from the era: 'Bitches Brew' and Live-Evil, and Agharta/Pangaea. And I mean this in a most beautiful way. If some of you Heads don't know this particular seam of influence on our boys, then check it out.
Eyes Of The World
Sept. 21, 1974
Palais Des Sports

Damned double post. Sorry mates.
Fire On The Mountain
July 27, 1973
Grand Prix Racecourse

Listened again: it isn't only the two-chord FTM vamp jam that makes this a bone fide embryonic version: They're definitely working out melodic themes that would become the song we love from years later. Damn, I love the Dead.
Around and Around
May 25, 1977
The Mosque

Goddamn, but this whole 2nd set is just immortal. They knew they'd killed it: Just listen to half the band ending while the other half sez, "hell no, we ain't done yet" and then they break into double time. Almost seems like they'd have doubled it again, but maybe the theater manager was pointing at his watch or something. Fuck 'em, cause they weren't done yet and we get some Johnny B. Goode to send it off. Mmm mmm Goode indeed.