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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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OrangeTangoJam

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Submissions

1
Drums
Sept. 23, 1972
Palace Theater

A mighty a primal drum section reminiscent of the early acid test days. Follows after a rare Cryptical and breaks through into The Other One.
1
Around and Around
Sept. 23, 1972
Palace Theater

Shocked that this hasn't been listed! Great energy with some decimating lines from Jerry and Bobby is screaming his big ol heart out. Great version.
1
Drums -> Space
Dec. 31, 1981
Oakland Auditorium

Jerry and Bobby create a beautiful space before TOO. A conversation in strings. Billy and Mickey create primal, carnivorous music. Hunting music.
1
Pretty Peggy O
Sept. 21, 1974
Palais Des Sports

What a crown jewel Pretty Peggy O can be. A truly tender version that washes away all my worries. These 74 versions are quite special.
1
Me and My Uncle
Sept. 21, 1974
Palais Des Sports

The Dead take the Parisians through a cowboys surrealist day dream. Check out how both Keith and Jerry are utterly locked into the music.

Comments

Big River
May 16, 1972
Theatre Hall

Not super refined, but if you want to hear a really hot Big River with Jerry on vocals, this is the one. This used to be my favorite for a long time, it’s got such a groove and you could tell the band was really liking the direction of where this particular song was going to. Would’ve been cool to hear Jerry take the lead on this more.
Dire Wolf
April 26, 1972
Jahrhunderthalle

Post Hiatus Dire Wolves get all the love, but there is something so endearing about this particular performance. A true electric folk performance. The vocals are perfect, the passion is there, and it’s just so endearing. This might just be me but this the best Dire Wolf I’ve ever heard, and it’s not for the solos, it’s just for how brilliantly performed this was. No showing off, just a band conveying a story. Really just a wonderful and magnificent version.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Feb. 17, 1973
St. Paul Auditorium

One of those rare moments of pure genius that make The Dead who they are. Like everyone who’s listened to this, how I wish we got more of this perfect pairing but then again, would it make it as special? I actually find the HCS a little clunky and much prefer the fall versions, then again I’ll cut it some slack since this song was still in its infancy, but the genius is in the transition both into China Cat, and into Rider. They caught on to this flow so nicely and allowed themselves to be carried away into this stream which carries the band into a waterfall of infinite ideas and possibilities which ultimately ends up cultivating into one of the most beautiful jams they have every done in my opinion. The space between China Cat and Rider has that triumphant climax twice which adds to how truly special this version is. Also 20 votes? Really shocked to see this so low and not as well known. Really worth the listen.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
June 26, 1974
Providence Civic Center

A dream, Father Time sprinkles some sand into this version, and as you fall asleep you’ll find yourself in a familiar yet uncanny dreamworld. Inverted directions, left is right, right is left, up is down. You dance among the clouds in this hazy and delicate dreamscape that you never want to leave. Colorful and vibrant, all colors of the rainbow envelope you as you feel right at home, you don’t want to leave, but you know this won’t last forever. A dream translated to sound, this will forever be such an endearing performance to me. I prefer my China>Riders with some muscle, but this will never fail to move me. Just beautiful.
Playin' In The Band
Oct. 16, 1974
Winterland Arena

Kaleidoscopic. A fractal landscape of dreamy acidic jazz that doesn't let up. Tuning in during the GD Movie livestream and reminded of how incredible this version is. Turns you inside out and then back again.