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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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OrangeTangoJam

yeller dawg

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Submissions

1
Next Time You See Me
Oct. 31, 1969
San Jose state university

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.
1
High Time
Oct. 31, 1969
San Jose state university

Haunting organ playing. Crystalline and psychedelic early version that feels very spacey. Great vocal delivery.
1
Me and My Uncle
May 25, 1974
Campus Stadium, UCSB

Very nice solo from Jerry. Phil is all over this as well, some great melodic bass playing that compliments the song very well.
3
Jack Straw
May 25, 1974
Campus Stadium, UCSB

These early 70s Jack Straws have so much Charm. Silky smooth rendition full of grace and wonderful joyous interplay. Surprised this isn’t here yet.
1
Mexicali Blues
May 25, 1974
Campus Stadium, UCSB

“It’s polka time!” Shouts Bobby at the beginning of this one! Honored to submit this one. Absolute rager from an underrated show.

Comments

Hard to Handle
April 26, 1971
Fillmore East

Wonderfully tasty playing from Jerry during the verses. Bobby man, what an utterly unique player. To quote the late great Muhammed Ali, floats like a butterfly, and stings like a bee. Bobby had some of the coolest guitar parts in the early 70s, especially when he gets some distortion on his playing he completely tears the stage apart. Check out 9/19/70 for some amazing Bobby parts. This is a heavyweight version of Hard to Handle and it's up there with the very best versions. It flows quite nicely into some really great grooves.
Cryptical Envelopment
Sept. 23, 1972
Palace Theater

Ragnaroar makes a wonderful point. I really wish they kept this, while sloppy, this sounds really good to my ears and I love that there is at least one version from this era we can hold onto. Beautiful introduction into The Other One with a brutal drum segment.
It's All Over Now Baby Blue
Sept. 23, 1972
Palace Theater

Like a pail of cool water being dunked on your head after a long trek in the desert. This is just plain gorgeous.
Playin' In The Band
Sept. 23, 1972
Palace Theater

A never ending fountain of ideas with magic spurting out every second. Around the 7 minute mark we get into some very dangerous territory, yet the band is so comfortable traversing these spaces. Keith in 72 expressed himself to his highest ability, there isn't a 72 show where I don't hear him creating some of the most beautiful moments of music the band has ever produced. I think it also freed Jerry too because throughout this year he feels so much more relaxed and dances around the music rather than leading it most of the time. It allows Jerry to take his time and explore these new spaces that were opened up to him. This is an awesome version that never lets up. These 2 shows(this and the night after)really are a highlight in the fall run, which is saying a lot.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Sept. 23, 1972
Palace Theater

Let Keith cook! Man, you can hear the gradual build up of energy in this one. If they took acid, this is 100% the come up. The transition could last forever and I wouldn't mind, you can tell the band is riding that train letting inspiration find them on their tumultuous journey. The solos on Rider are really emotional, and the vocals are really just right on this. The night before gets all the love but this really deserves some attention too.