headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

OrangeTangoJam

yeller dawg

+1291


Submissions

1
Good Lovin'
May 24, 1970
Hollywood Music Festival

Country fried funk that'll leak your hips sore from how much you're going to be moving them. Steady train ride.
1
Drums -> Space
May 13, 1978
The Spectrum

A walk through the woods until you come across a UFO which abducts you and takes you on a 4th dimensional journey. Breaking through the cosmic veil.
2
Let It Grow
Oct. 30, 1973
Kiel Auditorium

A romantic version full of power and passion, ideas bloom and blossom forth a beautiful force of energy. Keith and Jerry are intense and magnificent.
1
Nobody's Fault But Mine
March 22, 1973
Utica Memorial Auditorium

Jerry doing his best Robert Nighthawk and Muddy impression on slide. It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing, this has that swing.
1
Big River
March 22, 1973
Utica Memorial Auditorium

Makes you wanna dance all night long, Billy is a rip tide sweeping the band of their feet sending them down that river at breakneck speeds.

Comments

Playin' In The Band
April 24, 1972
Rheinhalle

General J. Garcia takes full command of the music and sends everybody within a 100 foot radius spiraling into 4th dimensional exploration. This music truly gives meaning to the phrase: Above, So Below. One of my all time favorite versions. A sweet, sweet treat that I will listen to over and over and over again. Love revisiting this version and show.
Death Don't Have No Mercy
April 20, 1969
Clark University

Dangerous solo. Haunting, shadowy, and brilliantly spooky, really great display of the bands dynamics as well.
Doin' That Rag
April 20, 1969
Clark University

Really great version that caught my ear, bouncy and captures that 69 sound so well.
The Harder They Come
May 20, 1990
Hilo Civic Auditorium

This might be my favorite version. For a whole month or so I would listen to this version multiple times daily as I would take my guitar and jam away for hours on end. It’s fun, free spirited, and a beautiful example of the pinnacle of Jerry’s musical expression in the later era of his life. Stunning vocals with great lead work from Jerry, that his him playing with such pure intention that listening is like a baptism in sound. I really love the pre hiatus versions and the versions from 76-78, but this just has that charm that hits me like no other, and Merl with that “steel pan” solo? Come on now. Just plain fun. Beautiful island vibes from this version.
Catfish John
Feb. 18, 1978
Veterans Memorial Auditorium

I wish I could list Lonesome And Long Way From Home from this show as well. That version is my all time favorite with one of my favorite deep spaces Jerry’s ever explored. His tone is so crystal clear and his playing is a real display of pure virtuosity with him channeling Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian, and Art Tatum so seamlessly in these jazzy free form spaces. For 78 it gets really out there. That being said check out this whole show, some of the best JGB material out there.