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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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OrangeTangoJam

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Submissions

1
Around and Around
Sept. 23, 1972
Palace Theater

Shocked that this hasn't been listed! Great energy with some decimating lines from Jerry and Bobby is screaming his big ol heart out. Great version.
1
Drums -> Space
Dec. 31, 1981
Oakland Auditorium

Jerry and Bobby create a beautiful space before TOO. A conversation in strings. Billy and Mickey create primal, carnivorous music. Hunting music.
1
Pretty Peggy O
Sept. 21, 1974
Palais Des Sports

What a crown jewel Pretty Peggy O can be. A truly tender version that washes away all my worries. These 74 versions are quite special.
1
Me and My Uncle
Sept. 21, 1974
Palais Des Sports

The Dead take the Parisians through a cowboys surrealist day dream. Check out how both Keith and Jerry are utterly locked into the music.
1
El Paso
Sept. 21, 1974
Palais Des Sports

Blossoms and blooms like a shining red rose. I really love the energy for this show.

Comments

China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
May 19, 1974
Portland Memorial Coliseum

Divine. A long time staple in my listening rotation. Esoteric in nature, this is one of the best they’ve ever done by a long shot. Jerry channeling Coltrane in his solos, and during the Feelin’ Groovy jam, I even hear shades of Bach as well. As good as it gets in my opinion, and don’t miss Billy at the end of Rider!!! Stunning lysergic church music. 8/5/74, 2/15/73, 5/3/72, and 9/24/72 are all up there in favorites for me, and this is 100% included in there as well.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Nov. 14, 1973
San Diego International Sports Arena

You know it’s good when Phil is all over the intro. Listen real closely to how his bass interacts with the music, lots of open space with incredible rhythmic motifs to propel the music further. I cannot believe I’m only just now getting around to this show. This is an all timer for sure, it’s fluidity and dynamic range is nothing to scoff at, and as songs, they are performed to their highest potentials. No frills.
Cumberland Blues
Nov. 14, 1973
San Diego International Sports Arena

Lifts off right away. Has that unexplainable quality that puts you right in that space of music. I feel myself melting with the music, Im sure the boys did too. What a stunner, ferocious and a near flawless rendition. Has a nostalgic quality to it I can’t quite put my finger on. It’s a feeling.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Oct. 23, 1973
Metropolitan Sports Center

What a gem. Jerry’s shooting lasers out of his guitar, the music feels alive and has a lot of unique segments of music. Bobby’s playing is locked IN, deciding to dance with Phil as he steers the trajectory of the jam. Jerry is a man not to be messed with on this one, flawless playing that ebbs and flows. What a version with Billy creating unpredictable pockets of groove that shoots you right into the moment. A very present and grounded China>Rider.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Oct. 25, 1973
Dane County Coliseum

Keith is all over this one, his keyboard playing adds a rich dynamic layer to this very pretty version. A great version from an overlooked show.