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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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OrangeTangoJam

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Submissions

1
Mister Charlie
Dec. 4, 1971
Felt Forum, Madison Square Garden

The blues is strong here, Jerry's solo is truly incredible. Keith laying it down with Pigpen in the Garden rapping up a storm. One of the best.
1
Playin' In The Band
Nov. 23, 1978
Capital Centre

The band tries to catch Jerry and wolf as they’re seemingly on the loose. Traversing through snowy mountaintops. A wonderful journey.
1
Good Lovin'
March 9, 1981
Madison Square Garden

Brent’s organ takes this to another level. I’m partial towards the Pigpen Version, but this shines in its own ways. Lovely phrasing from Jerry as well
1
U.S. Blues (Wave That Flag)
March 9, 1981
Madison Square Garden

Shocked to not see this here yet. Absolute scorcher from a really great show. Jerry’s tone cuts through like a scorching hot knife. Skin your wife.
1
Drums
Aug. 12, 1972
Sacramento Memorial Auditorium

Coming out of He's Gone. Billy goes ham, hitting the drums like a machine gun.

Comments

Truckin'
Dec. 10, 1972
Winterland Arena

A spiraling staircase Truckin’ that has the band exploring spaces only they can create. You can feel the frosty air and the lyserhic atmosphere emitting from the sound waves of the recording. This Truckin’ is vessel of exploration into rainbow colored spirals, Jerry acting as a wizard using his guitar as a staff to open portals to these realms, and Bobby’s brewing up some alchemy with each strum of the string. I love how much you can hear his impact on this one.
Cumberland Blues
July 16, 1972
Dillon Stadium

Speaker breaker. A Cowboy deluxe package transitioning straight into Me and My Uncle. Turn this up loud and let Jerry shoot lightning bolts right through your skeleton and feel the jolts of electricity with each pluck of the string. Jerry’s tone is one of the best I’ve heard on a Cumberland, with the right amount of twang that has all the hairs on your body standing straight up. A severely underrated version, great vocals, and Keith’s saloon western piano work is just sublime. Also check out Billy just swinging away, the 5 minute mark he takes you away into an old dusty ballroom where you can dance for eternity.
Smokestack Lightnin'
Dec. 4, 1971
Felt Forum, Madison Square Garden

Shocked to see this so low. This is where Pigpen shined the most, a real goddamned bluesmen. With the boys following his lead into swampy marshlands under a harvest moon, Alligator, who is perfectly dialed in, swims in these waters, snapping his long jaw at any unsuspecting creature finding its way in this land. Pippen howls at the moon, asking why she doesn’t hear him crying. A real lament. Keith was the perfect addition for this band, and his lines in this tune are a perfect example as to why. A true saloon pianist. Jerry is also utterly electrifying, and his tone is a perfect peak into what 72 is all about. Sublime version that takes you right down the Mississippi delta.
Dire Wolf
Jan. 15, 1978
Selland Arena

A buddy of mine showed this to me after having an argument about which key this song is better in, and while I still prefer my Dire Wolves in the key of A, this scorcher had my ears perked up. As my friend said, “You can hear in the solo his anger from not being able to sing.” And sure enough the aggressive leads really make up for the rough vocals Jerry was having. Truly amazing. 78 is full attack mode.
The Other One
Feb. 13, 1970
Fillmore East

Coming out of one of the most definitive moments of the bands career, they keep the momentum going and awaken an ancient serpent like creature with seven heads, engaging in the battle of their lives, and ultimately, coming out victorious. The sequence of DS>TOO>Lovelight is a fable in itself, a tale of heroics passed through generations. It truly doesn't get better than this. Side note, I ate too many mushrooms a long time ago and after having an epiphany during Dark Star, listening to this was far too scary and bugged me out, imagine the ones in the crowd who took too much! Mind splitting for sure.