headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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OrangeTangoJam

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Submissions

1
Mister Charlie
Dec. 4, 1971
Felt Forum, Madison Square Garden

The blues is strong here, Jerry's solo is truly incredible. Keith laying it down with Pigpen in the Garden rapping up a storm. One of the best.
1
Playin' In The Band
Nov. 23, 1978
Capital Centre

The band tries to catch Jerry and wolf as they’re seemingly on the loose. Traversing through snowy mountaintops. A wonderful journey.
1
Good Lovin'
March 9, 1981
Madison Square Garden

Brent’s organ takes this to another level. I’m partial towards the Pigpen Version, but this shines in its own ways. Lovely phrasing from Jerry as well
1
U.S. Blues (Wave That Flag)
March 9, 1981
Madison Square Garden

Shocked to not see this here yet. Absolute scorcher from a really great show. Jerry’s tone cuts through like a scorching hot knife. Skin your wife.
1
Drums
Aug. 12, 1972
Sacramento Memorial Auditorium

Coming out of He's Gone. Billy goes ham, hitting the drums like a machine gun.
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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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