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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
Turn On Your Love Light
Oct. 31, 1969
San Jose state university

This is The Dead at peak performance level. Cataclysmic version. Everyone is ON. Explorative and not a beat missed. Easily top 5 of 69.
2
Dire Wolf
Oct. 31, 1969
San Jose state university

Nice early electric version. Always preferred this key for Dire Wolf compared to when they changed it in the later years. Just right. Nice version.
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.

Comments

China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
March 9, 1981
Madison Square Garden

Rises and falls, and rises and falls. This one breathes and evolves so organically. You know it’s going to be a good one when Brent gets unreasonably funky during the first seconds of the song. Jerry is the conductor driving this freight train. The Rhythm devils follow him closely keeping the engine running allowing Jerry to go at full speed. The pockets of melody that man is able to create is not only spellbinding, but shows the sheer musicianship that Jerry is known for. He has some of the most creative lines I’ve ever heard in a China>Rider. He tames the music like a wild beast, and dances around the song so easily. That’s why 81 is my favorite era post Keith and Donna. Jerry’s tone is so electric and full I really feel like he had Tiger dialed in just right. If you guys want another ripping 81 China Rider, please listen to 3/14/81. That one is one of my favorites of all time. What a ride, and what a time.
The Other One
Oct. 12, 1968
Avalon Ballroom

This is one of those shows that truly cements Jerry as one of the best guitar players to do it. They way he runs up and down the neck creating not only some amazing melodic ideas, but rhythmic too. Especially once you get to the cryptical reprise, his playing is out of body, pure intuitive magic that channels visons of a serpent. it is astounding to hear the utter creativity from this man. That being said, he is definitely the star of this The Other One for me. This version makes you float off the ground and shoots you into the celestial kingdom. A star burning bright, so bright it implodes on itself leading to a black hole version of New Potato Caboose. I love this band. If you haven't heard this show, take some time out of your day, and treat yourself.
The Eleven
Oct. 12, 1968
Avalon Ballroom

An Olympic workout of true Herculean strength. The absolute apex of psychedelic free wheeling jamming that cultivates into some of the most wonderful music ever recorded. Like Dragons breath. Jerry plays some of the most incredible lines that sends shockwaves through your nervous system. Truly, truly electric.
Black Peter
Aug. 12, 1972
Sacramento Memorial Auditorium

^^ I'm right there with you bzfgt. Only 9 votes? I understand that this show is one of the only ones in August before the famous Berklee run and then Sunshine Daydream, but man this is as good as it gets. Black Peter is one of my all time favorite Dead tunes and this ain't no slouch. The emotional weight coming out of The Other One truly displays its star quality. What a call from Jerry to go into this.
The Other One
Aug. 12, 1972
Sacramento Memorial Auditorium

The band touched down in Sacramento and left the audience brutally scarred. An exploratory version that plays around with the form of the song and melts down into black goo enveloping everyone and anything in its path. Keith is in tune with the spirits as his ideas are a springboard for the rest of the band to leap forward into the unknown. Beautiful wah fanning from Keith that cultivates into some cathartic and boundary pushing Avant Garde free jazz playing before melting down into a destructive space, ultimately fading into Black Peter of all tunes. The Journey out of Black Peter is jaw dropping, awe inspiring, and something you should really listen to yourself to believe. Peak Dead. What a journey from one of my favorite shows. Also, 8 votes? Lets get this into the double digits.