headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

OrangeTangoJam

yeller dawg

+751


Submissions

1
St. Stephen
June 21, 1969
Fillmore East

Phil joyously expresses himself on this. A gun shot is heard on this one signaling a jam, and the William Tell Bridge is really well played. Excellent
1
Space
June 20, 1974
The Omni

Sandwiched between Truckin’ and Eyes, this jam takes me to checkerboard floors and red curtains. Deserves its own place. Unique Jerry lines.
2
It Must Have Been The Roses
June 20, 1974
The Omni

I adore any version of this tune. This one is particularly joyful and full of life.
1
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Nov. 15, 1969
Lanai Theater

Bouncy as it is lysergic. Unique phrasing from Jerry. Everybody’s vocals are on. The Rider is some pure country fried jamming if I’ve ever heard it.
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.

Comments

Truckin'
May 25, 1974
Campus Stadium, UCSB

Can we just appreciate early Bobby for a second? His confident stage presence is so infectious and when he’s on, especially in the early 70s, he has some of the most creative ideas for the rest of the band to latch on to and bounce off of. A Truckin that reaches radioactive levels of warp speed jamming. Bluesy and funky, Jerry screams, cries, and lets it all out on this one. Especially during the space section Jerry pulls out some really unique lines to go along with Keith’s 8 bit brain melter in the background. Billy is also an unsung hero of this jam, swaying ever so perfectly along to the unpredictable waves and currents. Gets spacey and acidic and a high voltage jam ensues that leads right into Let it Grow. What a time to be alive.
Tennessee Jed
May 25, 1974
Campus Stadium, UCSB

Oozing with energy. The songs I normally don’t like are really getting me this show. Masterful passionate playing that takes you to another realm.
Big River
May 25, 1974
Campus Stadium, UCSB

A master of all 4 of the natural elements, Jerry uses Fire to his advantage on this one. Catch him if you can, the only way you’ll be able to follow him is the trail blazing he leaves behind. Great interplay between Jerry and Keith. Like Wile E. Coyote and The Road Runner, incredible version.
El Paso
May 25, 1974
Campus Stadium, UCSB

Gas. Keith deserves a medal for his performance this show. Watch out for Billy galloping his way through this. Really stunning version.
Scarlet Begonias
May 25, 1974
Campus Stadium, UCSB

Jerry had his reverb dialed in here. Possibly the most underrated show of 74. Absolutely incredible rendition that’s right up there with the best of the early versions.