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.

This was the first Weather Report Suite I ever listened to. So funny listening back today because I realized I don't give this version nearly as much love as I should. While the performance of this suite night before is a true gem, I adore the ferocious licks Jerry throws out there during the E minor jam towards the end. A great version that opened up my imagination.

As good as it gets. This performance has earned its stripes in Grateful Dead history and is more than worthy of this top spot. I used to prefer the more mellow and breezy Here Comes Sunshine, but I always come back to this version. The whole band is so encouraging of Jerry letting him cover so much ground. This performance moves me a lot and makes me very emotional. Dick’s Picks 1 was also one of the very first records that helped me open my eyes to what this band was about. This has that “it factor” a stunning piece of improvised musical space and explorative psychedelia.

Barn burner. I love Dick’s Picks 1 just fabulous song choices and one of the first records that got me into the Dead. I usually listen to 8/13/75 just because I adore Jerry’s phrasing on that specific version but the musical aspect of this performance has always stood out. love that Jerry takes an extra verse or two to solo near the end. The whole band is on!

My personal favorite The Other One. I couldn’t decide what my favorite version was for a while until I caught myself listening to this version for the 1000th time. It has everything. It is everything. I love how many themes they were able to squeeze in there. This is one of the most musically flowing performances of rock music ever put to record. It’s a true epic, a psychedelic odyssey following the protagonist through hellfire and the dark abyss. A masterful, masterful performance where the music really played the band. I also love that there are shades of early San Francisco dead as the jams feel incredibly primal and tight. The telepathy between the band is really what keeps me enticed with this particular performance. It just seemed like the band knew exactly what they were going to do. So much intent. Also shout out to the little Feelin’ Groovy teases. The clementine jam is proper psychedelia and a glorious shamanic waltz ensues. Shades of John Coltrane all over this as Phil continues thumping that Greensleves bassline, and I love the conversation between Bobby and Phil because they both knew where they were going to go before even going into Clementine. And that meltdown, with hints of spanish jam, that meltdown feels like a nuclear bomb had just dropped and had incinerated every atom in our body slowly melting away into the cosmos as Jerry takes us through space time. This will never EVER get old for me and to me, along side 5/10/72 are my favorites of Europe 72

74 isn’t necessarily the year for Dark Stars, but, you get your handful that absolutely stand out. This is one of them. The band is very fluid, letting the music flow through them rather than pour out of them. They create a lovely space that can’t be replicated in any other year other than 74. Lots of intent in this version, and I love the themes this takes on. Doesn’t lose focus like a lot of 74 Stars tend to do. Jerry’s having fun and seeing where he can take this, creating psychedelic winds sweeping up the band and carrying them into the cosmos. Also great meltdown