Bouncy as it is lysergic. Unique phrasing from Jerry. Everybody’s vocals are on. The Rider is some pure country fried jamming if I’ve ever heard it.

This is The Dead at peak performance level. Cataclysmic version. Everyone is ON. Explorative and not a beat missed. Easily top 5 of 69.

Nice early electric version. Always preferred this key for Dire Wolf compared to when they changed it in the later years. Just right. Nice version.

Takes you right to Chicago. Jerry’s playing emulates the blues greats. Hard rocking version that reminds me of a Junior Wells cut. Highly recommend.

Haunting organ playing. Crystalline and psychedelic early version that feels very spacey. Great vocal delivery.

The epitome of peyote infused, jugband, saloon jamming that exudes the Dead’s power and ability to turn any song into a spiritual exercise at any given moment. This is one of those versions that’d I’d introduce to someone to showcase this bands ability to REALLY jam.

Like a peacock strutting its feathers. This is stunningly beautiful avian performance that takes flight in all manner of ways. Letting the wind take you in any and all directions, this mystical version melds together so nicely, like watching flowers bloom and seeing nature coming alive with each note. The colors of the peacock envelope this song with such serene beauty. Keith being the wonderful magician he is, is all over this version, tickling those ivories with such joy and beaming curiosity. What a great version.

Help>Slip>Fire. Like Grendel states, novelty aside this is genuinely a very fluid version with pure intention and magical spells flying at you in every direction. You can tell Jerry is feeling inspired and his musical leadership is put on full display. While I’m not the biggest fan of this era, I can appreciate gems like these, that despite all odds, even the brightest of lights can still shine during the darker moments. Inspiration moved Jerry brightly, and what we got was a wonderful sequence that encapsulates what made the Dead so special. Also the crowd reaction puts a smile on my face every time. The ending is cut off but check out some footage of this crazy transition, I’d highly recommend the soundboard but it’s worth seeing them pull this off. https://youtu.be/PG-o7LlCRro?si=F5G5Pz4OupwGELlv

A wonderful concoction of hellacious cosmic slop and gooey extraterrestrial spaciness. Bobby throws down some of that extra greasy funk that elevates this version to a whole different level, and Jerry takes this to near Dark Star levels of interplanetary jamming that’s like multiple knots untying at once, getting looser and spacey with each passing second. I love how this gradually loses form and goes from ooey gooey space funk to a multidimensional brain melter that gradually falls into place. If you want to hear Dancin’ taken out there, look no further. This one’s a sleeper.

Isn't it kind of nuts to think about how truly ahead of the curve these guys were? So incredibly heavy, a relentless jam that encapsulates the great chain of being, flowing in and out of space and time and spiraling into a peyote filled landscape that this intergalactic locomotive takes you further into. Whenever I need my Caution fix, I go here. Call me crazy but I also hear shades of early King Crimson, especially during that jam in the beginning. Truly inventive stuff that makes itself known to anyone who listens. This jam is alive ladies and gentleman!!!!