headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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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

Morning Dew
Oct. 12, 1968
Avalon Ballroom

Heads, need some help with this one. Just got Captain Tapes Choice Volume 2, if anyone can provide more info on this Morning Dew, that would truly rock. I really tried looking into seeing what show this version comes from and it's definitely not from this particular night. Awesome version though I am a real sucker for these early cataclysmic versions, they erupt like volcanos. Also lovely falsetto from Jerry with some amazing blistering psychedelic playing from the whole band.
Playin' In The Band
Feb. 22, 1973
Assembly Hall, University of Illinois

Excellent description Nog, thank you for the recommendation I’m currently get shredded to pieces from Garcia’s relentless, and energized playing. Coltranish is definitely the word to describe it. Doesn’t loose energy for a second and has this urgency that’s not in many Playin’s. Phil is absolutely insane on this, the way he dances on the bass, weaving intricate webs of music for the rest of the band to join in and dance with him. Keith is one with the music on this. This is a very spontaneous and aggressive conversation between the band which ends up leading to some mighty, and ethereal moments. The intensity, so consistent. Thanks again to Nog for the recommendation.
The Other One
July 17, 1976
Orpheum Theatre

BeggarsTomb put it wonderfully. A truly wonderful exploratory mission that finds the band exploring deep archaic realms. Spellbinding wouldn’t even begin to describe it, an extraterrestrial performance that haunts the listener. The band plays the music how a puppet master would control a marionette. The dread and macabre comes into full display as the band really dive deep into anti matter territory, the existential nothingness leads to a mighty and powerful epiphany of realizing you are in fact, The Eyes of The World. Eternity. Your thoughts form your own reality. This is a very surprising The Other One and 76 is quickly becoming one of my favorite years.
Playin' In The Band
June 19, 1976
Capitol Theatre

Void music. A transcendent voyage into new cosmic territories. Jerry is a man possessed and the video to go a long makes it all the better. 8:47 has an insanely beautiful buildup that leads the band into a spiraling staircase of pure musical expression.
Friend of the Devil
Sept. 17, 1972
Baltimore Civic Center

To this day, my favorite version of Friend of The Devil. You can really hear how *on* the band is. Billy and Phil really push the song forward and onwards while Bobby adds some absolutely divine rhythmic motifs all throughout. Perfectly encapsulates the original ethos of the song and electrifies it, taking it to a whole other level. Will play this over, and over again. Happy anniversary to this absolutely transcendent and transformative show.
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