headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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OrangeTangoJam

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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.
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Comments

China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
May 19, 1974
Portland Memorial Coliseum

Divine. A long time staple in my listening rotation. Esoteric in nature, this is one of the best they’ve ever done by a long shot. Jerry channeling Coltrane in his solos, and during the Feelin’ Groovy jam, I even hear shades of Bach as well. As good as it gets in my opinion, and don’t miss Billy at the end of Rider!!! Stunning lysergic church music. 8/5/74, 2/15/73, 5/3/72, and 9/24/72 are all up there in favorites for me, and this is 100% included in there as well.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Nov. 14, 1973
San Diego International Sports Arena

You know it’s good when Phil is all over the intro. Listen real closely to how his bass interacts with the music, lots of open space with incredible rhythmic motifs to propel the music further. I cannot believe I’m only just now getting around to this show. This is an all timer for sure, it’s fluidity and dynamic range is nothing to scoff at, and as songs, they are performed to their highest potentials. No frills.
Cumberland Blues
Nov. 14, 1973
San Diego International Sports Arena

Lifts off right away. Has that unexplainable quality that puts you right in that space of music. I feel myself melting with the music, Im sure the boys did too. What a stunner, ferocious and a near flawless rendition. Has a nostalgic quality to it I can’t quite put my finger on. It’s a feeling.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Oct. 23, 1973
Metropolitan Sports Center

What a gem. Jerry’s shooting lasers out of his guitar, the music feels alive and has a lot of unique segments of music. Bobby’s playing is locked IN, deciding to dance with Phil as he steers the trajectory of the jam. Jerry is a man not to be messed with on this one, flawless playing that ebbs and flows. What a version with Billy creating unpredictable pockets of groove that shoots you right into the moment. A very present and grounded China>Rider.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Oct. 25, 1973
Dane County Coliseum

Keith is all over this one, his keyboard playing adds a rich dynamic layer to this very pretty version. A great version from an overlooked show.
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