headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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OrangeTangoJam

yeller dawg

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Submissions

1
Mister Charlie
Dec. 4, 1971
Felt Forum, Madison Square Garden

The blues is strong here, Jerry's solo is truly incredible. Keith laying it down with Pigpen in the Garden rapping up a storm. One of the best.
1
Playin' In The Band
Nov. 23, 1978
Capital Centre

The band tries to catch Jerry and wolf as they’re seemingly on the loose. Traversing through snowy mountaintops. A wonderful journey.
1
Good Lovin'
March 9, 1981
Madison Square Garden

Brent’s organ takes this to another level. I’m partial towards the Pigpen Version, but this shines in its own ways. Lovely phrasing from Jerry as well
1
U.S. Blues (Wave That Flag)
March 9, 1981
Madison Square Garden

Shocked to not see this here yet. Absolute scorcher from a really great show. Jerry’s tone cuts through like a scorching hot knife. Skin your wife.
1
Drums
Aug. 12, 1972
Sacramento Memorial Auditorium

Coming out of He's Gone. Billy goes ham, hitting the drums like a machine gun.

Comments

Loser
April 14, 1972
Tivolis Koncertsal

71-72 had such a great sound for loser. I always found myself getting immersed into the jaunty and jangly sound of this old western ballad. I felt that at this point they really perfected the Americana sound and sounded like a modern day saloon western electric jugband. To me this is the peak of that sound, and to bring it so seamlessly to Denmark? I bet the Danes felt like they were going through the Grand Canyon this entire first set, with a big ol’ ten gallon hat.
Dark Star
April 13, 1969
Ballroom

A Taoist Dark Star. Not the typical raging acidic beast that emerges from their explorations, but a meditative performance that has the band emptying their mind and letting their ideas pour out like a waterfall. Wonderfully dynamic, with a stunning performance from all the string instrument players, Jerry being relentless, Bobby creative some beautiful rhythmic motifs, and Phil laying it down for the whole band to create a space for Jerry and the rest to explore. Understated, and beautiful. Like flowing water.
The Other One
April 11, 1972
Newcastle City Hall

Within just the first minute, the band explores deep underground spaces that bring forth a wave of brilliant passages that conjure up gnostic imagery and alchemical symbols. Swirls into a dark chaos swirl of dark magik, the space sounds like diving head first into oblivion and becoming one with the nothingness of it all. Look up the album cover of the band Comus's album First utterance. That beast on the album cover encapsulates this The Other One. Milky way jams into the heart of chaos.
Truckin'
April 11, 1972
Newcastle City Hall

Shocked I haven't voted for this jazzy magnum opus. Takes the crowd and immerses them in a spiritual experience at the blue note. Almost sounds like So What by Miles Davis, and you hear Phil quoting Greensleeves which I find fitting considering they are in the U.K. Beautiful space that ebbs and flows like a calm maelstrom forming in the waters. You can hear The Other One popping its head in a few times, and then right back to underwater jazz exploration. Stunning, royal version that channels something ancient, and grand.
Good Lovin'
April 11, 1972
Newcastle City Hall

You can hear the smallest hints of a Mind Left Body Jam that doesn’t ever synthesize, instead we get wormhole opening eye of the tiger style jamming. Powerful interplay with the band dripping sweet honey all through this version. This tells so many stories through each note, and never really loses focus. Great version that deserves more love.