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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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OrangeTangoJam

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Submissions

1
Beat it on Down The Line
Sept. 3, 1972
Folsom Field, University of Colorado

Jerry’s solo is off the walls crazy. A train going top speed and I promise that train won’t slow down! Great energy here overall.
1
Cryptical Envelopment
Nov. 11, 1970
49th Street Rock Palace

As Jerry shouts, “You know he had to die.” BANG! A massive gunshot right on rhythm. Great reprise with great drum work from Billy and Mickey.
1
The Other One
Nov. 11, 1970
49th Street Rock Palace

Jerry takes off and soars. Gets really heavy, and out there FAST. Experimental passages and new themes explored. This is what the Dead do best.
1
Drums
Nov. 11, 1970
49th Street Rock Palace

Billy and Mickey flowing in and out of the main TOO rhythms. They’re both putting each other to the test as they really get deep in this one.
2
Uncle John's Band
July 11, 1970
Fillmore East

“At this risk of being repetitious we’re going to do another song in the key of G.”-Bob Weir. This version is quite sweet. Patchy audio, great version

Comments

He's Gone
Aug. 12, 1972
Sacramento Memorial Auditorium

Can't help but to think that they were singing to Pigpen in this version. Has a very somber tone to it that really seems like a song about mourning an old friend rather than someone who split with their money. Phil with the bass in his voice really makes it for me too! This feels very definitive, a lot of the Europe 72 mojo is still going strong,
Stella Blue
Sept. 24, 1976
William and Mary College Hall

The perfect remedy for a blistering start to the second set. They never stop, but they allow themselves to breathe here, to take a minute to bask in the moment. What a show.
The Music Never Stopped
Sept. 24, 1976
William and Mary College Hall

The music never stopped. What a segue out of Franklins, a little sloppy but man is this fun. Imagine being in the audience, just when you think they're done, they just keep at it. You can tell the band is tired but they keep going strong. You got to admire the effort here. Plowing through a fast and furious Help>Slip>Frank and then despite how tired they are, they keep the music going, for music's sake The Dead were truly something special. Keith is also mighty on this. Can you tell that I like Keith?
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
Sept. 24, 1976
William and Mary College Hall

Oh man. Angels envelope me as they take me away to a far off land. A journey through the land beyond. Slipknot is some true wizardry. Jerry does some wonderful riffing right before the drums break in. Coming out of the drums, we are dancin' in the slipknot as we can hear Jerry taking the band through a different place leading to this incredible pocket of space and jazzy and elegant jamming. Right before landing into Franklin's, the band play those famous diminished lines at the speed of light before falling into the main theme. Just wow. Franklins sounds like it could be a 77 version, definitely the synthesis of what's to come. A class performance with some incredible interplay between Jerry and Keith. Another times forgotten space.
Truckin'
Dec. 15, 1972
Long Beach Arena

This is by far one of my favorite Truckin's of all time. The jam after is really what makes it for me but this Truckin' is nothing to scoff at. 72 is unique for these Truckin's that have this evil sounding wah effect that Keith does before the jams that's so utterly unique to this era. The only other version with a Truckin' inverted Dark Star to my knowledge is 3/24/73 which is a monster all on its own. This, 4/16/72, 10/2/72, 3/24/72, and 8/5/74 has some of the best Truckin' jams of all time. I suggest all of these. What a time to be alive.