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

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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