headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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BeggarsTomb48

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Submissions

3
Big Boss Man
March 23, 1972
Academy of Music

Beefy stetson hat workout. Ravishing harp and fun fender deluxe reverb tones.
3
Samson and Delilah
June 16, 1985
Greek Theater

Not unheard of to go into this after scarlet fire (34 times) still, something of a wacky pranksterish reset. Speedy and powerful version with growl.
2
Big River
July 13, 1985
Ventura County Fairgrounds

Devils come alive. Joy ride to wirepickin' ecstatic oblivion. Furiously active yet not autobahn, deep 80s
1
Drums -> Space
June 27, 1985
SPAC

Great one. Kits duet is really inspired. Space curdles out with noise but gets jester's hat nightmare with vocal pranks. Beautiful long bluesy intro
1
El Paso
June 27, 1985
SPAC

Stagger lee>el paso>crazy fingers>supplication>high time. hetty

Comments

Playin' In The Band
Sept. 17, 1972
Baltimore Civic Center

one of those versions that you can tell is going to be fire from the opening riff... Song itself is forceful and propulsive. Donna sounds great. The jam delivers the good. Jerry is impatient to get nasty with his lines, bending strings as far as they will go, lesh is Phillin' up holes, bobby's going nuts. It has that classic lysergic feeling of solid air, like just moving your leg to walk feels crunchy like there are hundred-pound weights on your body, from the earth's core. Around the 9:30 mark the texture gets airy and light, giving this PITB a symphonic flair.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Sept. 17, 1972
Baltimore Civic Center

china is by-the-numbers, but this version of I know you rider is inspiring. Electrifying, energized and just groovy. Look out so your face doesn't get stolen by that "I WISH I WAS A HEAD LIGHT ON A NORTH BOUND TRAIN!!!!!!"
Friend of the Devil
Sept. 17, 1972
Baltimore Civic Center

underrated, this coasts along with the grace of a flock of herons along the Snake River bridging the Tetons. You've gotta love Jerry's strat tone from this year, and you've gotta love an electric, fast FOTD. according to herbibot they only did this one 54 times pre-hiatus before switching the arrangement to the controversial "Slow friend" version.
Black Throated Wind
Sept. 17, 1972
Baltimore Civic Center

Bobby eats this one up, loving this version. Lesh is sweet as honey. The climax is inspiring. Excellent black throated wind we've got here. As other heads have been saying for every song on this awesome 72 show, the whole thing has an extra pinch of force and bite, it's one for those who like their Dead extra heavy and rockin'.
Mississippi Halfstep Uptown Toodeloo
Sept. 17, 1972
Baltimore Civic Center

awesome early Mississippi, must be one of the first performances of this classic number. It's faster than it would become and the band is super duper ON. Four-part harmony at the rio-grandio part. Exit jam is face melting. Must hear!!!!!!!!