headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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OrangeTangoJam

yeller dawg

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Submissions

1
Turn On Your Love Light
Oct. 31, 1969
San Jose state university

This is The Dead at peak performance level. Cataclysmic version. Everyone is ON. Explorative and not a beat missed. Easily top 5 of 69.
2
Dire Wolf
Oct. 31, 1969
San Jose state university

Nice early electric version. Always preferred this key for Dire Wolf compared to when they changed it in the later years. Just right. Nice version.
1
Next Time You See Me
Oct. 31, 1969
San Jose state university

Takes you right to Chicago. Jerry’s playing emulates the blues greats. Hard rocking version that reminds me of a Junior Wells cut. Highly recommend.
1
High Time
Oct. 31, 1969
San Jose state university

Haunting organ playing. Crystalline and psychedelic early version that feels very spacey. Great vocal delivery.
1
Me and My Uncle
May 25, 1974
Campus Stadium, UCSB

Very nice solo from Jerry. Phil is all over this as well, some great melodic bass playing that compliments the song very well.

Comments

Eyes Of The World
Sept. 21, 1974
Palais Des Sports

10:47 and onwards is a dark and twisted journey. Phil is utterly amazing. I wish I had the words to describe how intricate and utterly unique these bass lines he's laying down are. The syncopated drum beats right before the Coda truly moves me. Carrion is once again right on the money with the Live-Evil/Pangaea Miles influence. I got into those 2 specific records before ever getting into the Dead and hearing the influence that era of Mile's music had on the band reaffirms my own musical journey. Jerry is a wizard on this. Incredibly unique guitar playing even for 74. This is a brooding Eyes that has some truly monstrous energy. A new favorite of mine.
Big River
Sept. 21, 1974
Palais Des Sports

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-G_mOM5LbQ
Morning Dew
Oct. 12, 1968
Avalon Ballroom

Man, I am so grateful for that link. I just found footage from 9/21/74 through that site, this will definitely keep me busy for a good while. Thank you kindly! I will be taking a deep dive into this.
Playin' In The Band
March 22, 1972
Academy of Music

There is something about these versions, before they became the unrelenting acid jazz behemoths we all know and love, that capture, in my opinion, the true essence of the song. Never falters in energy and I love how this particular version dances and deconstructs the Main Ten jam. Bman brings up a great point on how this song grows from 72-74. From a quick and tight going to about 6-10 minutes, to averaging about 30-40 minutes by the time we get to 74. This is a phenomenal version that shows how the band can take a song and really showcase how comfortable they are traversing new territories.
Morning Dew
Oct. 12, 1968
Avalon Ballroom

This is why you're one of my favorite reviewers on the site darkstar67. The mystery is part of the reason why I love this band so dearly. In fact, it does make me love this particular version so much more. Will be spinning this show again, and again. Thanks for the reply! I love your reviews and contributions on the site.