headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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BeggarsTomb48

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Submissions

7
U.S. Blues (Wave That Flag)
Feb. 22, 1974
Winterland Arena

I'm uncle sam, how do you do? Off and running tonight at Winterland, the premiere of US Blues.
5
Space
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

Whopping late '77 version of this, the Dead intuitively coasting the waves of the atmosphere's collective imagination.
3
Around and Around
Dec. 6, 1973
Public Hall

You know the guys are feelin' hot when they play this and here's a slow, down 'n' dirty groovy Winter 73 read of it
1
Pretty Peggy O
March 31, 1989
Greensboro Coliseum

Straight-ahead gorgeous fun, clear, youthfully energizing and endearing version of this
1
Sugaree
March 31, 1989
Greensboro Coliseum

Feel good version with tasty brent

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!!!!!!!!