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

Loser
April 14, 1972
Tivolis Koncertsal

71-72 had such a great sound for loser. I always found myself getting immersed into the jaunty and jangly sound of this old western ballad. I felt that at this point they really perfected the Americana sound and sounded like a modern day saloon western electric jugband. To me this is the peak of that sound, and to bring it so seamlessly to Denmark? I bet the Danes felt like they were going through the Grand Canyon this entire first set, with a big ol’ ten gallon hat.
Dark Star
April 13, 1969
Ballroom

A Taoist Dark Star. Not the typical raging acidic beast that emerges from their explorations, but a meditative performance that has the band emptying their mind and letting their ideas pour out like a waterfall. Wonderfully dynamic, with a stunning performance from all the string instrument players, Jerry being relentless, Bobby creative some beautiful rhythmic motifs, and Phil laying it down for the whole band to create a space for Jerry and the rest to explore. Understated, and beautiful. Like flowing water.
The Other One
April 11, 1972
Newcastle City Hall

Within just the first minute, the band explores deep underground spaces that bring forth a wave of brilliant passages that conjure up gnostic imagery and alchemical symbols. Swirls into a dark chaos swirl of dark magik, the space sounds like diving head first into oblivion and becoming one with the nothingness of it all. Look up the album cover of the band Comus's album First utterance. That beast on the album cover encapsulates this The Other One. Milky way jams into the heart of chaos.
Truckin'
April 11, 1972
Newcastle City Hall

Shocked I haven't voted for this jazzy magnum opus. Takes the crowd and immerses them in a spiritual experience at the blue note. Almost sounds like So What by Miles Davis, and you hear Phil quoting Greensleeves which I find fitting considering they are in the U.K. Beautiful space that ebbs and flows like a calm maelstrom forming in the waters. You can hear The Other One popping its head in a few times, and then right back to underwater jazz exploration. Stunning, royal version that channels something ancient, and grand.
Good Lovin'
April 11, 1972
Newcastle City Hall

You can hear the smallest hints of a Mind Left Body Jam that doesn’t ever synthesize, instead we get wormhole opening eye of the tiger style jamming. Powerful interplay with the band dripping sweet honey all through this version. This tells so many stories through each note, and never really loses focus. Great version that deserves more love.
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