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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+48136


Submissions

10
Big Railroad Blues
May 23, 1972
Strand Lyceum

Utterly gobsmacked that this ain't here yet: It's a furious barnburner. Full of get up and go.
15
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
May 23, 1972
Strand Lyceum

A more rocking version than others from the time, and oddly overlooked. Jumps off Cat right away into the long transition. Energetic stuff here.
13
Black Throated Wind
May 23, 1972
Strand Lyceum

Is there a single one from '72 that doesn't end in triumph? This song just got better and better throughout Europe. Surprised this wasn't here yet.
11
Sugar Magnolia
May 13, 1972
Lille Fairgrounds

Perfect musical sunshine. This one even got my not-at-all-into-the-Dead wife to dance around like a trippin' hippy, so you know it's good.
13
Truckin'
May 13, 1972
Lille Fairgrounds

Unforgivable that you guys overlook Truckin'. There's a reason it's the one song non-heads know. This one is a forgotten colossus. Listen up.

Comments

St. Stephen
Feb. 27, 1977
Robertson Gym, UC Santa Barbara

The 'bell-ringing' chimes section of the last solo before the out-chorus is top notch, but this one otherwise drags a bit to start.
The Music Never Stopped
Feb. 27, 1977
Robertson Gym, UC Santa Barbara

This should be higher. Jerry pushes it harder and harder, never quite tipping it over to the breaking point. The crowd got a sweet treat here. Donna's in tune and well mixed, harmonizing nicely, and the Devils are just perfectly octopusical.
Scarlet Begonias
Feb. 27, 1977
Robertson Gym, UC Santa Barbara

A beacon, signalling to all who are ready to receive it: This is the '77 Dead. Simply a perfect, beautiful and deep performance of a song that grooves and grooves and grooves, but that also has a bit of wisdom to it too. "Once in a while...."
Good Lovin'
Feb. 27, 1977
Robertson Gym, UC Santa Barbara

Y'all got to hear this in context. They were still just bringing it out and re-crafting it after the Pigpen era. It wasn't the staple it became of 80s and 90s Dead, but probably seemed like a novelty for the old heads at the time. In any case, it rocks, and Donna sounds sweet behind Bobby's confident swagger.
Eyes Of The World
Feb. 26, 1977
Swing Auditorium

Right off the bat Jerry just sparkles. Slithery solo lines announce that this will take you there. Nice to here Bobby in the mix too. Agreed, this has a mellowness to it, maybe from Phil hanging back on the beat. Feels like a few clicks slower than the cokey versions from later in the year. Donna's light touch works in nicely for an added treat, and Phil's solo gives me blissed-out shivers, recalling my time in The Zone.