headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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OrangeTangoJam

yeller dawg

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Submissions

1
Ship of Fools
Sept. 21, 1974
Palais Des Sports

1974 and Ship of Fools go together like peanut butter and jelly. Full of emotion. They're really giving their all in this.
1
Big River
Sept. 21, 1974
Palais Des Sports

Like the breaking of a dam, this just flows at a truly ferocious pace. Jerry is relentless in his playing, the second solo will knock your socks off.
1
It Must Have Been The Roses
May 12, 1974
University of Nevada

Any '74 version of this tune is a treat. Incredibly lovely with great Keith lines. Billy sways.
1
Jack Straw
Feb. 15, 1973
Dane County Coliseum

Definitive for its time. The soundcheck gave us a preview, here's the full thing. Solid version.
1
Mexicali Blues
Feb. 15, 1973
Dane County Coliseum

Just a damn near perfect performance. Shocked not to see this one submitted. One of MANY highlights from this show.
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Comments

Not Fade Away
May 8, 1977
Barton Hall - Cornell University

Revisiting Cornell lately, and I forgot how awesome this version is. I love the earlier versions and sometimes the later era versions of NFA can make me cringe, but this one is just a spiraling bluesy showcase of what the band can do. Top tier version.
Turn On Your Love Light
Oct. 31, 1969
San Jose state university

Seriously do not pass this one up. I do not know how this one got overlooked. Psychedelic terror of a Lovelight. Creative organ lines and inventive utilization of everyone's instruments from everything from whale calls to a train rolling down the track. Pigpen shows why he's the man. Incredible version that might be my new favorite, for now... Listen to Phil closely on this as well. You will not regret this. Take 30 minutes out of your day and let that love shine on you.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Oct. 31, 1969
San Jose state university

Might be my new favorite early version. Infectious grooves that make this fun, and will force you to dance or at least sway back and forth. Jerry is like a snake charmer in this. Coming out of a hot Cryptical reprise, you really can’t go wrong with this one. The jam before Rider is so incredibly unique as well, a sneak peek to what’s to come later in the years. Nice organ work as well, just a stunningly played early version of this iconic pairing.
The Other One
Oct. 31, 1969
San Jose state university

Tragically overlooked is right. Seems to be getting away from the early tropes some of the early versions are known for. Powerful with Jerry’s vibrato being particularly on fire. Some crazy portal ripping inter dimensional jamming on this one. Reminiscent of what they’ll do later in Europe.
Eyes Of The World
Sept. 11, 1974
Alexandra Palace

Visions of color shapeless in form. Divine Phil solo. Ned also sits in for this one adding some incredible ideas to the mix. An extended intro that radiates with so much energy and inertia. There are no words to describe just how good this is. Voodoo (phil)ed Stronger Than Dirt Jam which descends into deep electric space. The band dissolves into nothingness, until a spark of inspiration, takes the band into intergalactic dimensions never explored by man before, or since. Highly HIGHLY recommend.
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