headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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DonnieInMT

GDTRFB

+15113


Submissions

1
Hard to Handle
July 1, 1970
Winnipeg Fairgrounds

The only recording available, it starts in the middle of the instrumental break.
5
Big River
Nov. 24, 1978
Capitol Theatre

Cool uptempo version with solid vocals.
15
Johnny B. Goode
Dec. 26, 1979
Oakland Auditorium

Hot one on Dick's Picks 5.
3
Sugar Magnolia
Oct. 5, 1984
Charlotte Coliseum

A very strange opening - it sounds like Jerry doesn't want to play it.
1
Death Don't Have No Mercy
Sept. 2, 1968
Betty Nelson's Organic Raspberry Farm

Only part of the intro survives, but what's there sounds good.

Comments

Sitting on Top of the World
March 25, 1972
Academy of Music

If you ever wondered what Bob is doing during SOTW, give this a listen.
Sitting on Top of the World
Oct. 21, 1971
Auditorium Theatre

It's hard to call this the best version ever, when the vocals are horribly, horribly wrong all over the place, but this is a song where Jerry never did bother to learn all the words and execute them live. That being said, Jerry's guitar work and Keith's piano playing are top notch.
Sugaree
May 28, 1977
Hartford Civic Center

25 years ago, my friend came over. He handed me a tape and all he said was "Sugaree.". Yes, my friend, Sugaree indeed!
Big River
Dec. 19, 1973
Curtis Hixon Convention Hall

If you were to tell me this is the best version of Big River, I couldn't make a convincing argument against it.
Goodnight Irene
Dec. 31, 1983
Civic Auditorium

It's not a Weavers song. It's an American folk standard first recorded by Lead Belly in 1933.