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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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OrangeTangoJam

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Submissions

1
Good Lovin'
May 24, 1970
Hollywood Music Festival

Country fried funk that'll leak your hips sore from how much you're going to be moving them. Steady train ride.
1
Drums -> Space
May 13, 1978
The Spectrum

A walk through the woods until you come across a UFO which abducts you and takes you on a 4th dimensional journey. Breaking through the cosmic veil.
2
Let It Grow
Oct. 30, 1973
Kiel Auditorium

A romantic version full of power and passion, ideas bloom and blossom forth a beautiful force of energy. Keith and Jerry are intense and magnificent.
1
Nobody's Fault But Mine
March 22, 1973
Utica Memorial Auditorium

Jerry doing his best Robert Nighthawk and Muddy impression on slide. It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing, this has that swing.
1
Big River
March 22, 1973
Utica Memorial Auditorium

Makes you wanna dance all night long, Billy is a rip tide sweeping the band of their feet sending them down that river at breakneck speeds.

Comments

Caution
Feb. 5, 1969
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium

The cut is insanely brutal. I think if this did not have the cut right at the beginning this would be more regarded as one of the best of all time. What we do have is one of the most psychedelic and twist your subconscious swirling versions of all time. A demented lysergic carnival ride that shows the bands true free wheeling San Fransico energy on full display. Listen to the vocal interplay between the boys and Pigpen which is one of the coolest moments of their career. The guitar playing of Jerry is twisted and sends the listener spiraling down a whirlpool of chaotic energy. This right here is the reason why these guys were the kings of their scene. reminds me of Cream and Black Sabbath in terms of the heaviness and the way they jam this out. Absolutely a must listen even with the cut.
The Eleven
Feb. 5, 1969
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium

Like burning white sage and cleansing evil entities from your mind, body, and soul. Smoking doesn’t even begin to describe it. A spiritual exercise that its own musical rosary, guarantees a cleansing. The ending jam goes from acid psych rock to inter dimensional blues really fast. The duel between Jerry and the rhythm devils will have you grinning ear to ear for days.
Row Jimmy
April 2, 1973
Boston Garden

This one really moved me, groovy, powerful, and spiritual. Sailing into uncharted sea’s with endless optimism for the journey ahead. Beautiful stuff.
Brown Eyed Women
April 2, 1973
Boston Garden

Check out Bobby, high in the mix(as he should be) and laying down some beautiful chords that take this version from an average part of the set to an utterly sweet and tender rendition that leaves you smiling the whole way through.
Deal
April 2, 1973
Boston Garden

While I agree with the sentiment of the hot as hell Deal’s being a real event in which you can see Garcia in any given setting whether it be the Dead or JGB burn the entire venue down with each pluck of a string, I still love the old saloon vibe of the pre hiatus Deal’s. I love a good shred fest as much as the next person, but there’s something so endearing about these early versions of the songs. They feel more “homegrown,” rather than a display of Garcia’s virtuosity, I really enjoy the stories the band would tell with these powerful and rootsy version of these tunes. It feels like there’s a contribution from everyone involved instead of the boys playing catchup with Jerry, which admittedly can be incredibly fun, but I love these modern Americana folk stories told through this medium rather than it being a Garcia musical exercise all the time, which I still do love very much. That being said, this is a solid version, not the craziest, but it doesn’t need to be. Just my 2 cents.