Crucial
Dead - MP3's
This section of the site is aimed
at people who may have heard about the Grateful Dead, but perhaps never
had the good fortune to really hear what all the fuss is about. For
those of you who've never had the pleasure of hearing Jerry Garcia and
the boys, read on....
The music of the Grateful Dead encompasses many different
styles and genres, including some completely original work which doesn't
really fit into any particular "box". The thing the Dead did
best was play live - improvisation was their strongest point, the collective
mind working as one to create truly stunning soundscapes. At times it
seemed as though they were genuinely telepathic, and as if the music
sometimes played the band....
One final thing - you should be aware that these Mp3 files have all
been produced from non-commercially available recordings, but all from
SoundBoard sources, so the quality varies slightly but is generally
excellent, considering their origin. Since making these pages certain
tracks have been commercially released, and so where relevant, I've
indicated which release they can be found on. If you spot any errors/omissions,
please email me.
Eyes of the World |
12.18.73 |
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Eyes of the World, from December
18, 1973. Eyes has a wonderful jazzy feel to it. The jams which
tend to evolve through this song develop very intricate and melodic
themes, with a distinct jazzy flavour. There are so many stunning
versions of Eyes available, it is truly impossible to pick a best
one.
This one is very good indeed. |
Morning Dew |
10.18.74 |
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This version alternates between very light airy
sections and more gutsy, wrenching passages. Jerry is incredible
as he whips up the band into a climactic frenzy. It highlights
the band's ability to improvise, and go with the flow to places
few others dare tread. |
Crazy Fingers |
6.14.76 |
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This is a very beautiful and strange
song, and here we have a very good version from '76. Subtlety
is the name of the game, delicate and sublime. |
Cassidy |
10.1.77 |
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Great 77 version of a great Bobby
song... |
Comes a Time |
5.9.77 |
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This version is just beautiful, the guitar work
by Garcia is just so unique, imaginative, beautiful and expressive
it hurts. |
Close Encounters Jam |
1.22.78 |
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This is an amazing piece which evolves
from The Other One. Very open spaces are explored with haste,
various factions pulling in different directions. The drums dominate
for a while, and then it's just pounding drums, with airy keys
from Keith, and Jerry fluttering above it all with a mean wah-wah
tube sound. Soon the others fade away, leaving Jerry to continue
carving this sonic sculpture. He takes us to various places, swiftly,
expertly, and it sounds like music from another planet. All of
a sudden the Close Encounters theme bursts out in full wah-wah
ecstasy, and as the hairs on the back of your neck react in unison
to Jerry's electromagnetic pulses, you'll know you've heard something
that resonates on a different plain altogether.
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Crucial Dead
SHOUTBOX!
Go ahead - tell the world what you think!
Get it off your chest
Lay it all to rest
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