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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+48136


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

They Love Each Other
Dec. 31, 1976
Cow Palace

This signals exactly where they've been and where they're going. The transition year behind them, '77 coming on strong... a great and historically relevant version. Could be much higher, but probably sits between the '73 and the '77 fans' choices.
Bertha
Dec. 31, 1976
Cow Palace

Best one of the year: Deliberate, tight and right. Compare this to the weirdly accidental previous one they played on 15 October (the only clunker in that otherwise world-shatteringly brilliant show) and this makes me think they'd been thinking about bringing Bertha back into rotation, rehearsed it, nailed it, and brought it back in with diesel.
Comes A Time
Oct. 15, 1976
Shrine Auditorium

The transition out of this is so good it transforms the Franklin's that comes after it into an almost entirely different song. Strong performance and great show. Check out around 08:00: They go into a 12/8 meter riff that may be unique in the oeuvre. In any case this may be my top choice Comes A Time of all time.
The Other One
Oct. 15, 1976
Shrine Auditorium

Both a musically tight, breakneck roller-coaster and a psychedelicore madhouse filled with twists and turns a jump-out-at you moments of mind melting gooeyness. Around 08:35 they sound like they're going into a totally new jam, but it gets whisked away like so many hallucinations. Brilliant suite and one of the best of the few TOO of the year.
He's Gone
Oct. 15, 1976
Shrine Auditorium

This is one of the best shows of 1976, and every song just jams and jams beautifully (except maybe Bertha, which sounds like an unplanned mess). This He's Gone is one luscious peak after another. So beautiful, so fine.