headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Submissions

5
Me and Bobby McGee
April 18, 1971
Lusk Field House - State University Of New York

Confident Soulful Sonically Strong
10
Don't Ease Me In
April 2, 1973
Boston Garden

Crisp and right
5
Casey Jones
May 23, 1972
Strand Lyceum

Not Flashy, Just Exactly Perfect Though

Comments

Casey Jones
May 23, 1972
Strand Lyceum

Don't know why, but this version is just right in the pocket. Relaxed and synchronized, the Dead in the zone and cruising, paying attention, not overamped and not under-communicating. Usually prefer multi-chorus solos, but here just like listening to all the parts coming together like a loose jointed acrobat.
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
April 26, 1972
Jahrhunderthalle

Such a nice way in - as sweet as anything they did - first an amazing jam out of Lovelight, then a little GDTRFB, then a little NFA, then back Down the Road again, now in a contemplative mode, then the insistent strumming, then the singing guitar again, then the singing itself. Just loved going on these journeys with the Dead, and it's really nice to hear some of the magic again. Jerry really gets his rock & roll on at 6:31 for a moment in the Europe '72 Complete Recordings version but there are so many nice moments here. What a pleasure to hear the sheer musicality (ok Donna...). Some peak Dead. Going' Down the Road feeling bad never felt so good, to coin a phrase.
Turn On Your Love Light
May 24, 1972
Strand Lyceum

Crisp and wonderful. Boy they had this one down. Tragic that it's the last one. Pigpen was letting his pretty darn good vocal chops fly and his subconscious do the talking. Backup just terrific, quick and rhythmically in the pocket, playful and keen. Makes me happy and sad all at once. The Pig was a natural.
The Other One
May 24, 1972
Strand Lyceum

love this one - dedicated, ripping, rippling and far out there, just where you want it
Caution
June 14, 1968
Fillmore East

So wonderful. A real trip - a REAL trip. Makes it clear why it was so great to go to shows back then. Ecstatic clearings and haunting woods, quiet walks and thundering gallops. Downpours and sunshine. All homemade, as if from an electric farm in a county not yet on the map.
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