headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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OrangeTangoJam

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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

That's All Right
June 10, 1973
RFK Stadium

I used to be such a hater when it came to this version, because I thought all the Jerry/Merl stuff was miles better in the musical sense. Upon revisiting there's such great interplay between Jerry and Dickey and the way Jerry would dance around Dickey's motivic style, is simply incredible. Jerry sounds like a venomous snake slithering around ready to strike at any moment. I love this 72- 73 cowboy gunslinging blues guitar sound Jerry's got around this time, a stratocaster and Jerry is a match in heaven.
Clementine
Jan. 20, 1968
Eureka Municipal Auditorium

Dripping in cosmic ultraviolet goo. Very serious archaic magic going on, this travels through an all seeing orb found in the tower of a great wizard. Flashes of fire with swirls of tranquil lavender fireworks within the world in the all seeing orb. Pigpen has some truly spellbinding organ playing, perfectly accompanying this jazzy exploration into Dionysian witchcraft. I can hear where the Allman Brothers got the inspiration for their famous composition "Dreams", and most of all, the one thing these wonderful soundscapes have in common is that they're cut from the same cloth as Greensleves by John Coltrane.
Clementine
Feb. 2, 1968
Crystal Ballroom

Imagine walking into a smoky club of flashing lights, with people dancing all round, people taking in the music coming from the stage, and seeing this group going on a serious psychedelic odyssey right on stage. Dancing between the spaces, and jumping through many new realms. This is psychedelic primal Dead at its absolute finest. This is the soundtrack to a life changing trip.
Cassidy
Oct. 10, 1982
Frost Amphitheatre

That ending jam is TRANSCENDENT. You can hear Jerry getting adventurous when he starts playing around with the tonality and mood of the tune. Almost sounds like the soloing he does in Reuben and Cherise in those 90s JGB versions. The way the whole band started revolving around Jerry as if he were the center of his own galaxy and the rest of the band were giant celestial bodies swirling around him, Phil and Brent understood the assignment here. An already passionate rendition, this quickly became memorable and iconic for so many reasons. It has that star factor. Can't recommend this enough.
They Love Each Other
Aug. 8, 1982
Alpine Valley Music Theatre

Insane solo from Jerry, tone as bright as it can be paired with hair raising countrified funk that'll leave your face permanently damaged from being melted. His phrasing reminds me of his JGB playing which should tell you everything. Came for a well played They Love Each Other, stayed for the solo. Also really happy that the site is back up, missed this community!
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