headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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OrangeTangoJam

yeller dawg

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Submissions

1
Drums
Dec. 10, 1972
Winterland Arena

Supercharged Billy at the helm deconstructing and building layers of structure like a master architect. Some of his most inventive fills put to record
1
Me and My Uncle
July 16, 1972
Dillon Stadium

Notable for coming straight out of Cumberland and the alternate lyrics “And I Grabbed the Bottle, Grabbed Him in the Jaw” A cowboy classic.
1
Promised Land
Aug. 5, 1974
Philadelphia Civic Arena

Firing on all cylinders right out the gate. I'm certain Jerry's fretboard caught fire after that first solo. Impossible not to groove to.
1
El Paso
Dec. 4, 1971
Felt Forum, Madison Square Garden

Delicate. Like a last waltz of the cowboy and his love, with each lick from Jerry conveying the urgency of the story. Keith makes such an impact here.
1
Cumberland Blues
Dec. 4, 1971
Felt Forum, Madison Square Garden

Part of the beginning is cut off, but that doesn't stop this train from rolling on down the mines. Short and sweet.
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Comments

Playin' In The Band
April 24, 1972
Rheinhalle

General J. Garcia takes full command of the music and sends everybody within a 100 foot radius spiraling into 4th dimensional exploration. This music truly gives meaning to the phrase: Above, So Below. One of my all time favorite versions. A sweet, sweet treat that I will listen to over and over and over again. Love revisiting this version and show.
Death Don't Have No Mercy
April 20, 1969
Clark University

Dangerous solo. Haunting, shadowy, and brilliantly spooky, really great display of the bands dynamics as well.
Doin' That Rag
April 20, 1969
Clark University

Really great version that caught my ear, bouncy and captures that 69 sound so well.
The Harder They Come
May 20, 1990
Hilo Civic Auditorium

This might be my favorite version. For a whole month or so I would listen to this version multiple times daily as I would take my guitar and jam away for hours on end. It’s fun, free spirited, and a beautiful example of the pinnacle of Jerry’s musical expression in the later era of his life. Stunning vocals with great lead work from Jerry, that his him playing with such pure intention that listening is like a baptism in sound. I really love the pre hiatus versions and the versions from 76-78, but this just has that charm that hits me like no other, and Merl with that “steel pan” solo? Come on now. Just plain fun. Beautiful island vibes from this version.
Catfish John
Feb. 18, 1978
Veterans Memorial Auditorium

I wish I could list Lonesome And Long Way From Home from this show as well. That version is my all time favorite with one of my favorite deep spaces Jerry’s ever explored. His tone is so crystal clear and his playing is a real display of pure virtuosity with him channeling Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian, and Art Tatum so seamlessly in these jazzy free form spaces. For 78 it gets really out there. That being said check out this whole show, some of the best JGB material out there.
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