headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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parrott56

millennial head

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Submissions

2
Me and My Uncle
Sept. 14, 1978
Sphinx Theatre

Carries forward the energy and vibe of the preceding Ollin>NFA. Kind of mesmerizing.
3
When I Paint My Masterpiece
Oct. 27, 1990
The Zenith

Eloquent Jerry solo elevates this one unexpectedly.
6
U.S. Blues (Wave That Flag)
July 7, 1978
Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Don’t always love the ’78s for this tune, but this howling version certainly warrants attention.
2
The Eleven
April 4, 1969
Avalon Ballroom

Another brilliant April '69 Eleven that just doesn't let up. Forceful, but totally unforced.
2
Turn On Your Love Light
April 4, 1969
Avalon Ballroom

Brilliantly strange. T.C.'s organ adds stuttering weirdness to a churning groovathon.
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Comments

Mississippi Halfstep Uptown Toodeloo
Feb. 22, 1974
Winterland Arena

Damn, Keith is ALL over this show. Check out that perfectly timed chromatic run leading up to the drop into A major. Then he switches to electric (Fender Rhodes) for the delicate start of the Rio Grande-o section. But the whole band’s sense of dynamics is just expert here, and that may be just as sweet as the extra few minutes of jamming we’d get in a ’77 version. “YMMV.”
Playin' In The Band
Feb. 22, 1974
Winterland Arena

It doesn’t get much better than this. Even with the stiff competition of 1974, I’d say this is one of the best versions of the year.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Feb. 22, 1974
Winterland Arena

This thing is killer. There are a lot of improvisational flourishes in China Cat and Rider proper as well as in the transition jam. In China Cat, almost none of Jerry’s lines sound like anything he usually plays there. In Rider, listen to how Keith really attacks the last instrumental break. And Phil is so creative throughout, often playing, it seems, one step off the “expected” note and really building the tension.
Scarlet Begonias
April 18, 1978
Civic Arena

This is an exciting and exquisitely crafted Scarlet. Just do not miss it.
Estimated Prophet
Oct. 19, 1989
The Spectrum

Typical for the period, it’s filled with MIDI ... and quite adventurous. I like both of those traits, but your mileage may vary.
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