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.

Comments

Dancin' in the Streets
Oct. 1, 1977
Paramount Theatre

MORE COWBELL.
Eyes Of The World
Oct. 1, 1977
Paramount Theatre

Short and sweet and a great transition signaled by the Rhythm Devils where they do this really cool funky disco jam before going into Dancin’. Jerry’s playing is so beautiful on this. Nice hidden gem.
Playin' In The Band
May 13, 1972
Lille Fairgrounds

Been diving into this show a lot. This is an underrated highlight from this particular night. Jerry paints with a more diverse palette, adding more layers and density to this piece anti matter chamber music. Beautiful interplay with each member giving direction and life to this song, which I like to think of as another stage in it's evolution. Phil does some amazing riffing as well that adds so much character to this one. Amazing version and a portal into the future of what's to come for this song.
Caution
March 22, 1972
Academy of Music

I’m floored. A relentless jammed out roaring psychedelic wonder. 72 was such a creative peak. You cannot beat this. Gets hellish and apocalyptic at the end with some of the most interlocked and tight playing I’ve ever heard from the band. Highly recommend and deserves far more upvotes. Like descending into the underworld and emerging from the destruction like a Phoenix from the ashes. That ending jam is like a sunny blue sky after days of rain and you’re able to catch the sun right before it sets. This is why I love the Dead.
Playin' In The Band
March 26, 1972
Academy of Music

Call me crazy, but I genuinely prefer these shorter versions from the 20-40 minute monsters that this lovely song is known for. I adore the jammed out spacey versions, but there’s something about these early versions of the song that have such character and originality. Maybe it’s because they’re synthesizing the main ideas for the song right on the spot, but they’re packed with such energy and wastes no time saying what they want to say. Brilliant cosmic attacks. A key turning point in the evolution of this sonic exploration. Shooting stars.