Grateful Dead - Hard To Handle (6th August 1971)

[delpot39]

Greatest guitar solo of all time. Listening to the crowd go nuts sends shivers down my spine. Oh to be in that room.

[jakethesnake576]

if there was ever a song to show somebody what made the Dead the force that they were, this would be #1 on that list. Holy crap Jerry's solo is searing hot quite possibly favorite dead recording ever

[rusianikchyd]

i absoluetely love this. maybe my favorite solo from garcia. i love how 1st weir takes a solo and the whole time you can just feel the whole band just building up in the back, like a motor warming up, ya know? just a great live band getting into this funky ass groove... and then of course garcia TAKES IT and just builds and coils around until the whole thing climaxes and then everrrybody starts makin noise. if you drop into the dead's rhythm they can take you to some amazing places. try it!!!

[gavnost21]

Hard to Handle is performed with even more elan (hard to imagine, I know), on the otherwise forgettable Backstage Pass (video) of 1992 (don't know what performance(s) Kreutzmann's son used - recall it was a shorter/intensely driving rendition). I'd suggest running down a DVD of that compilation just for Pigpen's planting the flag on what had to be the band's most intense peak.

Thanx for posting this version, and reminding me that one way or another, this darkness got to give...

[randeezydizzle]

this was the first show i downloaded when i started listening to the dead a few years ago...and this song was the one that hooked me....

[PinkFloydrulez]

I love hearing how the band and audience feed off each other and propel one another to greater heights

[PinkFloydrulez]

FFUUUUUUUUUCCCCCKKKKKKKKK

[cmfarias71]

sucks! otis' original is the best!!!!

[tiedyebusguy]

@cmfarias71 -----> is NOT a Dead Head

[cmfarias71]

@tiedyebusguy you got that right!!!

[wharfrat10]

@cmfarias71 Feedest ye not yon trolles!

[phishphan8able]

There was a Phil compilation out about 15 years ago - From the Phil Zone, or something like that. I swear this version was on it! Outstanding!!!

[TheDrmedina]

@phishphan8able It was, and still is.

[3681pokey]

Best version of this song...All the boys in top form!

[CompagniaDellaRuota]

Scream of the audience at 6:42 says it all. Too bad I wasn't even born when all this was happenin'

[Robbbespierre]

I was at this show. Nice to hear it again 40 years later.

[dme257]

no way, this version BLOWS the fillmore east version(s) clean outta the water...plus, i just got this version in soundboard format and it f'ng kills...

[dedhippi]

@dme257 smoke a fat one and give both a listen.......

[theologyjohn]

Wow! Absolute fire. I love hearing the crowd.

[MrHarryhood83]

D/l this show, the SQ is just amazing!!! And a smoking show also!

[dedhippi]

there is one better version of this that i have heard...at least my opinion.....see Fillmore East 4/29/71......it was released as a Dicks Picks release i think.

[coffeecoffee25]

wow - unbelievable!!!! RIP Pig!

[Naheasy]

Go head Pig Pen!!!!

[HajenDazen]

Excellent show: Hard to Handle - Casey Jones - St. Stephen, followed by Truckin, Drums and The Other one with some Me and Bobby McGee... R.I.P. Jerry

[TheDrmedina]

Arguably the single Dead track ever done.

[TheDrmedina]

@TheDrmedina I meant to say "Arguably THE BEST single Dead Track ever done."

[Shititude]

Nice,I had a live from the grateful Dead for my birthday !

[spyski]

This is a Great track....I had a copy of this on tape and I wore it out! so good to hear it again!

[polymerchm]

I had this on vinyl, purchased in 1973 in Albany, NY (The Greateful Dead Out West, Hollywood Palladium). I wore it out and it finally crumbled to dust. I haven't heard this version in at least 30 years. Bless you!!!

[ballisticmayhem]

This was before Weir learned how to tune his guitar, I take it.

[mdanifo1]

incredible jamming

[crispy812]

29 DAYS BEFORE I WAS BLESED TO ENTER THIS SHIP.....RIP. PIG (~);}

[evangelo66]

sorry guys, but the vocals are awful!

[wolfkarel]

It ALL STARTS @4:20 - hmmm.....how appropriate :-)

[foodangler]

R.I.P Pig pen

[emcraig225]

The candle was lit that night. Bad mambo jammin'!!

[TheDrmedina]

I'll probably get 1000 flames for this comment, but Jerry couldn't really sing and play at the same time. That's why most of the truly great Dead tracks have Pig Pen doing the vocals (this one, Love Light, Next Time You See Me (Hundred Year Hall version), etc. Or else, there really isn't a vocal: Dark Star (Live Dead), Cryptical Envelopment/The Other One (DP8). Or, for the really ancient Dead Heads who can remember, NRPS with Jerry at pedal steel (there are almost no recordings).

[slammyjammy38]

this version of this song is the Best Ever! Just listen to that energy... from the stage to the audience back to the stage. Frickin Amazing!

[livershot]

I only like the Dead when they had Pigpen

[nlandess]

2 people are just complete fun-suckers.

[JustJake57]

The greatest single AUD recording ever made of the Dead (with all due respect to Jerry Moore and others). We had DAT's in 81 or was it 82, but this 'capture' of the band in 1971 is just AMAZING -the quintisenntial AUD recording ever of the band .

Now Is there any truth to the legend that Jerry was on his knees tearing it up as he does in the solo that starts around 4:30 and hit's it's first peak at around 5:10 and then takes off in hyperdrive at around 6:00 -6:50 w/ the crowd flying with him?

[ExplorerPride]

Seriously, who would dislike this?

[teovaldi]

Did Ron always sing the vox when they covered this?? Damn I wish he sung more! RIP

[bilboballbagginz]

@teovaldi Yep, he was always lead on this one. U should check out Alligator live if you haven't already. Another good Pigpen track.

[bilboballbagginz]

@bilboballbagginz Or, Love Light

[crusher153]

Noone will ever do this song better! Not Otis! Not The Crowes! This night must have been great! What a show. Unfortunately I wasn't born to be there.

[darkstar2181]

This is a great one. I still like the one from fillmore east closing. I'm gonna listen to this one a few more times though.... you know how it is. Thanks for posting

[bilboballbagginz]

@darkstar2181 Dude...Hard to Handle from the Filmore 71 is epic. Prob my fav live Dead song ever. Jerry's guitar work in it is unbelievable! This one is a close second tho.

[dug61275]

@bilboballbagginz hey chief, they played this maybe 5 times at fillmore east in 71 and even at fillmore west.....care to be a little more precise with your expertise for us?

[bilboballbagginz]

@dug61275 Well duggie, I was refering to 4/27/71 Filmore East. The unofficial closing or the last shows the Dead played there. Yes they played a few hard to handles but only one of those made it onto a recording. Ladies and Gentlemen the Grateful Dead. CD3 Track 5

[dug61275]

@bilboballbagginz thanks man....will check it out. and sorry for coming across as a diick. btw, archive.org has 1000s of recordings that never made it onto a recording.

[dug61275]

@bilboballbagginz thanks man. and sorry for coming across as a dick. btw, archive.org has 1000s of shows that never made it onto an official recording

[TheJman2600]

@bilboballbagginz One "Hard To Handle" from the Feb '70 shows at Fillmore East made in onto "History Of The Grateful Dead Volume One."

[friscobay01]

The Bertha from this show crackles with energy, also who can forget the TOO > MAMU > TOO!! woohoo!!

[yguaray]

I totally agree, this is the best one! I'm luckuy to have a copy of the master from the source. Dig the changes on the jam at the end unlike most others!

Augy San Diego

[pcburgh01]

download the entire show for free @ nugs.net - free stash

[speakerchef]

My favorite take of HTH now with gold trim thanks to Charlie Miller!

[jd51452]

I was there that night with Dave Bricker. Met the love of my life - Diana Carlson.

[43goe]

Ron "Pig pen" McKernon was always my fave ...I have an oil painting of him by a famous artist, Bob Piersanti, I will cherish forever...love on PigPen...his version of 'it hurts me too" on Europe '72 is absolutely superb!

[sam1610]

I can't believe how hot Jerry is here. I saw the boys 10 times in 1970/71, including the Calgary concert whose Hard to Handle is posted here as well. Great memories. I see my ever Dead concert in May, 1970, is now available for purchase. Life is sweet.

[cthwaites]

Is this the same one from "Phil Zone" CD?

[pbl1]

@cthwaites - yes!

[pcburgh01]

@cthwaites It not the same one. Very similar. Both great, but this one takes the cakes of all time great HTH; by any artist. 

[TXprinthead]

Favorite GD show I've heard, love Pig Pen!

[winmacdon]

In my opinion the number one band ever. Anybody know who lives on Absu Rd? Type Absu Road in the YouTube search textbox to find out.

[SamHagagaga]

I have recordings of two more Dead shows than most fifteen-year-olds do.

This song is one of the best on 2-13-70.

[stevezissou1990]

DDDDDDAAAAAAMMMMMNNNNN

[grube28]

That's a band.. That's a crowd.. That's music!

[fatherdmj]

I agree. It's the best version. The "Mr. Charlie" from this show is good as well. Jerry's solo channels James Burton and Roy Buchanan. The boys were ON that night.

[nebnis81]

My daughter( age 17) has been to a couple of "The Dead" shows with me...but i play her this when attempting to explain The Good Old Grateful Dead. I mean...come on !!!!!!!

[dlm9293]

@nebnis81 hey dude im 17 and my mom got me diggin the dead and i love them especially back in the day they could jam

[jjoe0990]

@nebnis81 Amen brother!!!!!

[VoodooDangerbird]

Pigpen- baddest man in the land

[renotsttam]

This is one of their finest moments. Garcia's solo is just amazing. I first heard this on tape, and it was a horrible 6th or 7th gen. recording, but you could still tell how unbelievably awesome this was.

[MoonMamaNashville]

rekindled my love for the 6th time today!

[peyoteshaman]

greatest hard to handle ever. now the sbd is out to this and 8/5, it is funny how the sbd is missing the same part the aud is missing for 8/5. unfortunate.

[spudco06]

Fuckin' A

[chemicality]

thank you. wow!

[g5uk]

Fantastic.....Grateful Dead...and PIG PEN......the MAN

[PCPrabbit]

love that bobby gets the first guitar solo :-)

[g5uk]

Long they be dead....the Grateful Dead Live........BEAUTIFUL...THANK YOU

[wellspout]

hey great seminal example of that sine qua non era before pig departed, definitely a peak node ie. the best live dance band in the land, as this tape testifies, please post more!

[harmonichebe]

was in the audience that night and waas lucky enough to have the audience tapes within a couple of weeks after the palladium shows. in my opinion, this is the single best dead song around- pigpen spot on, amazing guitars, audience totally involved. without the palladium tapes a deadhead's collection is incomplete- optimal voices, playing, repertoire/selection; the "st. stephen" that opened the second set on night one is also one for the ages-add an incredible lovelight and you have all needed!!

[Giantcrabb]

cheers for the info h

[harmonichebe]

a pleasure to relive those fantastic sets of shows at the palladium; dead showsin LA were always good and different from those in SF and the bay area, as in the bay area the band was not really "on the road", so to speak. just learned of the passing of marmaduke of the new riders; garcia was still playing pedal steel for the new riders and they were quite a great band in their own right until they were big enough to go out on their own and got the much less talented buddy cage to play steel.

[pcburgh01]

totally agreed - one of my favorite shows of all time

[SaintPhallePhoto]

I was lucky enough to see Pigpen several times in the 1970's... And, yeah, Jerry was ridiculously amazing on the guitar!

[colbruce]

That's a ridiculously good guitar solo around 5:39

wow, Garcia and Weir's musical interaction builds up and up to 6:34 everyone's going nuts

[PCPrabbit]

yeah it's so awesome that bobby and phil have that separate theme to work on. never really heard that in any other version...