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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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OrangeTangoJam

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Submissions

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.
1
Drums
Sept. 23, 1972
Palace Theater

A mighty a primal drum section reminiscent of the early acid test days. Follows after a rare Cryptical and breaks through into The Other One.

Comments

China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Feb. 3, 1979
Market Square Arena

Coming back again and again to this genuinely great version. Love the octave sound during the main China Cat riff. Such a shame they let Keith and Donna go. This is already a great look into where they could have gone if they had all stayed together. Methodical and wild playing from Jerry, a psychedelic circus where he can do whatever he likes. What a show.
Good Lovin'
May 4, 1972
Olympia Theater

A version that deserves so much more love. Much more mellow than other versions of the tour, which actually is a strength in this case because I think the band was really able to comfortably traverse different rhythmic spaces without losing any focus. Existential bluesy riffing, with Pigpen roaring and getting down to business. This one gets spacey but Pigpen really makes it work in his favor and doesn't get lost, but actually guides the band towards the light within the dark. This show is dripping in acid. One of the best of all time that explores really deep and almost heavy pockets of groove. Pigpen and the band are perfectly in sync. Gets out there to the very edges of the universe, but stays so consistent. Lots to love in this one.
Big River
Feb. 15, 1973
Dane County Coliseum

Ferocious and funky. Light one up and let yourself get taken into a whole other world. some of my favorite phrasing from Jerry comes from Big River and his unrelenting licks and rhythmic interplay make for an incredible interpretation of this Johnny Cash tune. Keith is also catching a wave. Sick.
Dark Star
June 21, 1969
Fillmore East

Anyone know if this ever got patched up? This could be an all timer if complete. This one gets heavy and electric rather quickly and the energy results into some phenomenal subtle interplay. Wish i could hear a full version!
Playin' In The Band
April 24, 1972
Rheinhalle

An intergalactic overdrive of spiraling tonal spaces. This powerful and jazzy version encapsulates what the band is really capable when they're really on. A top 5 version for me, this short and sweet Playin' wastes no time and gets straight to the point. Shades of Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders all over this one. Everyone is in top form, not a note wasted, and a genuine virtuosic showcase of the bands abilities. So good.