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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
Big River
Sept. 21, 1974
Palais Des Sports

Like the breaking of a dam, this just flows at a truly ferocious pace. Jerry is relentless in his playing, the second solo will knock your socks off.
1
It Must Have Been The Roses
May 12, 1974
University of Nevada

Any '74 version of this tune is a treat. Incredibly lovely with great Keith lines. Billy sways.
1
Jack Straw
Feb. 15, 1973
Dane County Coliseum

Definitive for its time. The soundcheck gave us a preview, here's the full thing. Solid version.
1
Mexicali Blues
Feb. 15, 1973
Dane County Coliseum

Just a damn near perfect performance. Shocked not to see this one submitted. One of MANY highlights from this show.
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.

Comments

Dark Star
Feb. 13, 1970
Fillmore East

I don’t listen to this one often. This version holds such spiritual meaning to me that I only play this and the 90 minute stretch very very rarely. It means so much to me. The first time I listened to this Dark Star I was on Mushrooms and decided to go on a little walk. I had decided to stop at my favorite secluded spot with trees all around and a river just to the right of the path. While sitting on a rock overlooking the terrain in front of me, a hawk came and landed right in front of me as Jerry was leading the way towards true musical bliss, reaching the climax of the song. Learned a lot from a Hawk that day, and learned a lot about myself, and the Dead. One of my favorite dead moments in history. Not overrated in the slightest and deserves its place in the history of music as a true milestone.
Dark Star
May 15, 1970
Fillmore East (Late Show)

A definitive Dark Star. The band fades away into waves and becomes formless. A cacophony of electric notes all bounce in harmony with one another. So much expression. So much honesty. Definitive Dead.
The Other One
Sept. 9, 1972
Hollywood Palladium

A powerhouse. This version 100% gets deep and psychedelic. Jerry is really locking in with the rest of the band in the beginning which takes off into some polychromatic jamming that feels so incredibly out there. After the first verse things get slimly and very gooey. The bands goes into dark miles davisesque territory as Jerry explores the darkness of the inner subconscious. what emerges is a brilliant seance like jam which feels very witchy in nature. I love fall 72 for jams like these. Highly recommend starting from He's Gone to really feel the whole sequence, but you can really start at Truckin'.
Truckin'
Sept. 9, 1972
Hollywood Palladium

Very raw version. Letting it all hang loose near the end of the jam and really allowing the music to take the lead. Super fun version where you can hear the band actively taking risks and hear it pay off in real time
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Sept. 3, 1972
Folsom Field, University of Colorado

Seesh, what a transition. This China>Rider just builds, and builds, and builds. Interplanetary grooves all throughout. You can hear that the band feels good, healthy and strong. The music reflects that in their looseness. Usually one will be stronger than the other, but as someone who's very picky about China>Riders, both pieces genuienly feel connected and feels like a psychedelic story told through electric instruments. The band is on! Gets my vote for sure