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find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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OrangeTangoJam

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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

Shakedown Street
Dec. 11, 1979
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall

Crazy that this version is only now in the double digits. This is up there with the best of the best. Genuinely electrifying that shoots down your nervous system and gets in your bloodstream. Brent is really finding his footing and you can hear how his contributions really shape the bands new sound at this time. Also Phil, the master of earth, out here causing tectonic shifts on this one.
Franklin's Tower
Nov. 20, 1978
Cleveland Music Hall

The Devil’s in the details. Listen for yourself and get caught under its spell. Pure magic. a dance with the stars. I love how well I can hear Bobby on this and that his contributions are creative and inventive.
Mississippi Halfstep Uptown Toodeloo
Nov. 20, 1978
Cleveland Music Hall

Audio is a little crazy but if you’re able to get past that, this would be the definition of Diamond in the rough. A stunning Rio Grande section to transition into a spiritual Franklins. This is awesome and beautifully played. The band was on fire that night.
Dancin' in the Streets
April 14, 1978
Cassell Coliseum - Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

It is criminal that this is so low. First, I don’t ever want to hear from anyone that Keith didn’t contribute as much post hiatus. This will prove anyone wrong. Second, holy shit this is the most disco, grooviest, sweating your balls off Dancin’ I have ever heard. The jamming is deep and melodic. Feels like it’s really going somewhere. Absolutely one of the best of all time. Dance music for aliens.
Deal
May 4, 1972
Olympia Theater

The Deal’s of ‘77 onwards are famous for it’s fast and ferocious jams, the essence of gambling within the song, our eyes and ears fixed on whether Jerry will “hit the note” on this one! This is a nice break from those heavy jams, and a nice look into the actual roots of the song. The song is alive and well and may not be the flashiest, it’s so well played and tells a story of old in true electric jug band fashion. This has an energy. Don’t miss these old versions, not many stand out, but this one does.