headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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DonnieInMT

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Submissions

1
I Need A Miracle
April 9, 1988
Centrum

The Worcester crowd is really into it. Another hot version. Aren't they almost always hot?
5
Big Boss Man
April 9, 1988
Centrum

Jerry singing Big Boss Man to open the show - and nobody has mentioned this yet?
7
Sugar Magnolia
April 25, 1983
The Spectrum

This era is overlooked and underappreciated. This - like most around this time - cooks.
2
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
June 14, 1980
Spokane Coliseum

Love the restraint Jerry plays with during the second instrumental break. Very measured and disciplined.
1
Good Lovin'
Oct. 12, 1981
Olympia Halle

Bob's rap starts off with an indirect mention of Pigpen.
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Comments

One More Saturday Night
April 8, 1972
Wembley Empire Pool

At times, Keith was a brilliant piano player. This is one of those times. It's hard to hear what Phil is doing in the mix, but Keith is the superstar for this top-notch version. Jerry is killing it, Bob's vocals are original and inspired and even Billy is holding his own. It's hard to make a call on "best ever" for this song, but this is definitely up there in the top 3.
Promised Land
Feb. 24, 1974
Winterland Arena

I don't see how this could even be in the conversation for one of the best versions. Keith has an incredibly boring solo that Jerry saves us from, but after that, there's just a few more seconds of Jerry rocking then things are over. The song aptly covers air travel, because this version has jet lag.
One More Saturday Night
May 8, 1977
Barton Hall - Cornell University

No. No. No. No. No. No. No. This is the greatest letdown in Grateful Dead history. The band just finished playing what could very well be the greatest 3 song stretch in their history of live performances and then here comes this. Yeah, it's OK - but tell me what's so special about it that elevates it to the discussion of best versions ever, That's right - you can't. This is just your typical 1977 One More Saturday Night. Nothing more, nothing less.
Around and Around
Sept. 27, 1972
Stanley Theatre

This is a really good version, but I agree that both 5-25-77 and 3-18-77 are better. Overall, 5-25-77 is the best, but the ending to 3-18-77 is just insane - they don't want the song to end.
Around and Around
Oct. 3, 1976
Cobo Arena

This version is good, but it comes from an era when this song is often great. Everybody maintains control and nobody breaks out doing anything wild. Just a decent version and certainly not in the conversation of best ever.
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