headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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OrangeTangoJam

yeller dawg

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Submissions

1
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Nov. 15, 1969
Lanai Theater

Bouncy as it is lysergic. Unique phrasing from Jerry. Everybody’s vocals are on. The Rider is some pure country fried jamming if I’ve ever heard it.
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.
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Comments

Dark Star
July 31, 1971
Yale Bowl, Yale University

Scary first verse. Gets surprisingly dissonant and feels very haunted. This Dark Star plays around with form a lot and this one feels like a mix of the late 60s versions, while having some ideas you'll see later on in 72-74. Super awesome version that'd I'd highly recommend. Feels like walking alone in a graveyard at night.
Dark Star
April 14, 1972
Tivolis Koncertsal

Focused and aligned. Dark Stars of this era tend to wonder(which I don't mind at all) but this one has an incredible sense of direction. Incredible thematic interplay between the band that you can only get on this tour. I love the little pockets of music that they explore in this. I like my Dark Stars dissonant, dark, and brain dissolving, and while this may be more on the lighter side, its power and obvious psychedelic flare leaves open a lot of very interesting melodic ideas. The feedback section feels real earthy as well. A jazzy masterpiece that's among one of the top versions of this tour, which says a lot.
Dark Star
Sept. 11, 1973
William and Mary College Hall

Lots of personality. Mini clusters of supernovas and galaxies all colliding at once. Jerry's playing is inspired and charming. Lots of subtle celestial interplay that brings out a particularly playful sound from the boys this night. Phil is the highlight of this one though, he must've knocked down the whole building with his bass while also opening up some wormholes in the process. Incredible use of feedback. Great Dark Star>Dew combo.
Playin' In The Band
Dec. 28, 1979
Oakland Auditorium

Good call^^ I’ve recently been obsessed with this trifecta of Terrapin>Playin>UJB. All played so brilliantly, this Playin’ is as funky as it is particularly focused for an era not really known for its Playin’ jams. Sick version with everyone on.
Dark Star
Oct. 18, 1972
Fox Theater

Jeez have I not mentioned anything about this one? Like the last light in a dying universe, yet it shines ever so brightly. A journey to the land of the dead, Phil guides you home with his stomp and falls into one of my all time favorite Feelin’ Groovy jams. Celestial and abstract ,maybe not as neurotic and evil as some others, but this one has such an otherworldly feeling I can’t quite put my finger on. The whole Playin’>Dark Star>Morning Dew>Playin’ is a true example of the band possessed. Love this version. Will be on repeat over, and over, and over again.
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