headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Gay for Bill

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Submissions

2
Me and My Uncle
March 19, 1973
Nassau Coliseum

Bill lays down possibly the tightest groove i've ever heard on this song, doesn't even need a flashy high energy solo to be a top tier version
7
Looks Like Rain
Nov. 21, 1973
Denver Coliseum

Beautiful version of a song that normally doesn't really captivate me, especially great because Keith is high in the mix like he deserves to be
5
Promised Land
March 23, 1974
Cow Palace

Super underrated version, as the song comes to a close Jerry is having none of it and does another insane solo
5
Bertha
Aug. 25, 1972
Berkeley Community Theatre

A few flubs at the start, but they make up for it by playing for their life afterwards, crazy intensity

Comments

Eyes Of The World
Dec. 6, 1973
Public Hall

Around 9:30 when the weirdness dissolves into nothingness and the jam snaps back into form is one of the most musically satisfying things to ever grace my ears, especially impactful coming out of the Dark Star which makes it seem like 50 minutes of build-up suddenly make sense
Dark Star
Dec. 6, 1973
Public Hall

I want to get off mr. Dark Star's wild ride... Very very weird Dark Star but not in a bad way, has just enough going on to be interesting and just when it seems like it's losing your attention they manage to pull you back onto mr. Dark Star's wild ride, maybe not the most technically outstanding Dark Star but also one that really makes you feel like you went to many different places
The Race Is On
June 22, 1973
Pacific Coliseum

I know the Donna thing was a joke but from all the justified criticism one can utter about her singing, being out of tune definitely isn't among them. Just listen to any Sing Me Back Home or early Row Jimmy if you need any proof that she is incredible at vocal harmonies, hell even her GSET and Scarlet Begonias wails are pitched to harmonise what the band is playing, but that shouldn't come as a surprise from someone that has been a session vocalist for so long that she started working with big names at age 15. Great version btw, but that is also to be expected coming out of that behemoth Bird Song
Big River
Dec. 6, 1973
Public Hall

@carrion_crow every time I see you praise a version on this website I just have to listen to it because you always seem to be right, and this one is no exception. Keith is just all over this one and especially the way he plays around Jerry in the last solo is magnificent, Bill's drumming is also a lot less held back than usual and as a drummer myself his ride technique is always a joy to listen to. Might be my new #2 version after 7/1/1973
Here Comes Sunshine
Feb. 23, 1974
Winterland Arena

I do somewhat understand why so many people mention liking 12/19/1973 more than this one but from a technical point of view this one isn't even in the same ballpark as 12/19, just pure inspiration from start to finish with new ideas constantly developing without a single flubbed note, almost sounds like it was rehearsed. But then again I always felt like Curtis got most of its praise due to being on the first Dick's Picks, 11/21/1973 for example is way more interesting to me personally and I can think of about 5 other versions that are executed better
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