headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Bignoze

Tough Critic

+77


Submissions

6
Sugar Magnolia
Dec. 5, 1971
Felt Forum - Madison Square Garden

Early Keith version, one of the only early ones with no flubs and no sour vox. And wonderful unfaltering and exciting Jerry on outro solo.

Comments

Dark Star
Feb. 27, 1969
Fillmore West

I must have heard over a hundred Dark Stars, and, though each time is always an amazing journey, this particular one was never rivaled, ever. The band seem cosmically linked in ways that were not even to be found on the next few (amazing) nights. This one just seems impossibly perfect, perhaps the greatest moment in rock music.
Looks Like Rain
April 14, 1972
Tivolis Koncertsal

The best of the three Europe '72 pedal steel versions for sure. A totally different thing from what it became later. Beautiful and soaring in ways that were lost in the equally lovely but more "normal" later versions.
Mission in the Rain
June 10, 1976
Boston Music Hall

I completely agree that this one is WAY better than the 6/29 version, which everyone inexplicably seems to like best. I think that one is the worst of the five.
Cryptical Envelopment
June 16, 1985
Greek Theater

I was at this show. It was lousy. Really, how can anyone vote for this version of Cryptical over the glorious versions of 69-70? They clearly did not even practice for this "Bust Out" at all.
Box of Rain
Nov. 1, 1970
Waly Heider Studios

Yes, definitely the ONLY version. Even the best live acoustic versions are nowhere near as good as the studio version. Is there any other song we can say that about?
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