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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
The Eleven
June 21, 1969
Fillmore East

Stupidly heavy, shades of early heavy metal on this one. Incredible controlled chaos that explores so much. A very tight version.
1
St. Stephen
June 21, 1969
Fillmore East

Phil joyously expresses himself on this. A gun shot is heard on this one signaling a jam, and the William Tell Bridge is really well played. Excellent
1
Space
June 20, 1974
The Omni

Sandwiched between Truckin’ and Eyes, this jam takes me to checkerboard floors and red curtains. Deserves its own place. Unique Jerry lines.
2
It Must Have Been The Roses
June 20, 1974
The Omni

I adore any version of this tune. This one is particularly joyful and full of life.
1
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Nov. 15, 1969
Lanai Theater

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.

Comments

Turn On Your Love Light
Aug. 5, 1967
O'Keefe Center

Acid rock at its absolute finest. Jerry's phrasing is so full of energy and particularly bluesy. Pigpen sounds absolutely incredible and his control and power as a band leader is very apparent here. I Highly recommend this one. The boys are psychedelic warriors on this one.
Morning Dew
June 10, 1973
RFK Stadium

This is literally just the opener, passionate version that calls back to when they used to open up shows in the 60s with Morning Dew. So good.
Dark Star
Dec. 11, 1972
Winterland Arena

Had to comment again, my last comment did not do this psychedelic king of kings justice. Interstellar overdrive is standard of this elegant and alchemical performance. A trip on a lysergic spaceship aptly named the Grateful Dead, this performance channels a lot of archetypal imagery, a dive into the collective unconscious and a royal and grand version. Jerry puts on a clinic with Keith delivering some beautiful responses to this debate between wizards. Lots of cool rhythmic ideas, a whopping 17 minutes before the first verse, and after is some of the most intense, shadowy meltdowns in the dead’s history. A wailing of existential pain ensues which follows with some absolutely morbid feedback work which melts everyone down to every last molecule. A deep darkness, almost arachnid like as this section conjures up imagines of spiders and the weaving of neon colored webs. Billy K comes in with an earth shattering drum solo that takes you deep into hell and never stops until you reach complete nothingness. A jam reminiscent of The Miles Davis electric band ensues which flips your brain and chops it into pieces and completely rearranges it. Top 5 for me. A truly long, and strange trip.
Mississippi Halfstep Uptown Toodeloo
Dec. 11, 1972
Winterland Arena

12 minutes of pure bliss. Stupidly good Half Step, you can hear the synthesis for so many great versions later to come right in this version, stunning melodic improvisation that will later become a staple for the song. They’re ON
Here Comes Sunshine
June 10, 1973
RFK Stadium

Jerry day dreams in the hot summer sun. A psychedelic odyssey which enters mountainous terrain. Underrated version.