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.

Comments

The Eleven
March 16, 1968
Carousel Ballroom

Jerry shows his Latin influence on this one and what ends up happening is one of the most creative and endearing Eleven’s ever performed. Tasteful jamming with incredible rhythmic interplay that explores dark melodic themes. Just incredible. Such an underrated tune.
China Cat Sunflower
March 16, 1968
Carousel Ballroom

Any Dark Star>China Cat pairing always will get an upvote from me. This particular pairing is transcendent and the true definition of psychedelia. Wonderful early version.
Dark Star
March 16, 1968
Carousel Ballroom

I am utterly floored by the lack of attention this glorious psychedelic suite of music has. This Dark Star takes off at warp speed and flies with multi colored wings. Explores new possibilities.
Playin' In The Band
June 16, 1974
Iowa State Fairgrounds

This is exactly what I’d imagine an alien abduction to sound like. Tickles my ears just right. Hyperspace traversing that reaches the outer edges of the universe and shows mankind the wonders of extraterrestrial technology. I personally adore this galactic entity and the brain melting insanity the aliens subject our poor minds to. 4th dimensional jamming!
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
May 21, 1977
Lakeland Civic Center

I submit! The tempo was what deterred me at first, but coming back with a more open mind, the magic is genuinely undeniable and oddly infectious. This is a version that defines the rhythmic experimentation the transition jams are known for. I'm going mountain climbing with the Dead and the peaks don't stop coming. Inventive can't even begin to describe this. Jerry's vibrato, I'd like to point out, is also on fire.