headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

OrangeTangoJam

yeller dawg

+785


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.

Comments

Bertha
May 3, 1972
Olympia Theater

This is just as definitive as 4/14/72 if not more. As the comments above state, it’s criminal how low this is. Also the first Bertha I ever heard when I first started getting into the Dead.
Death Don't Have No Mercy
Dec. 1, 1966
Studio demo

Haunting is definitely the word. Incredible incredible early version. Reminds me of CCR’s version of I put a spell on you, just way more psychedelic. I’m floored.
Jack Straw
Aug. 24, 1972
Berkeley Community Theatre

Needs more votes. Keith giving me chills with his wizard like piano playing. Joyful and inventive and adding new layers to this song. What a beautiful version.
If I Had The World To Give
Nov. 20, 1978
Cleveland Music Hall

Whale call city, and from Bobby no less. Sometimes I wish they played this more, but then it wouldn't make this special tune oh so special. Soulful and genuinely beautiful and melancholic. What a rare gem. Jerry kills it and performs his big ol heart out.
Shakedown Street
Nov. 20, 1978
Cleveland Music Hall

I'm pretty picky when it comes to my Shakedowns, especially these early versions, but man this has easily become one of my favorite versions out there. Captures the feel of the song incredibly well and is an impeccable showcase of the bands musicianship. Wolf gets funky and blue. Howlin' all night for it's darling. Just plain awesome.