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

Johnny B. Goode
April 20, 1984
Philadelphia Civic Center

You've got to be kidding me. In the conversation for best ever? I wouldn't even call this one great, let alone one of the best ever. At several points, Jerry has a noticeable hitch in his giddyup. And that thing that Brent did. Whoever it was that told him not to do it anymore deserves my eternal gratitude. Somebody, please, tell me how this is better than 3-24-73. I would really like to hear it.
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
Sept. 21, 1972
The Spectrum

.
Ain't It Crazy (The Rub)
April 5, 1971
Manhattan Center

Jerry steps up on his second instrumental break and Phil puts in some good melodic thumping. Pigpen's vocals are fairly average.
Ain't It Crazy (The Rub)
Nov. 6, 1970
Capitol Theater

I think this is the best acoustic version out there. Pigpen's vocal work is strong and his harmonica playing is solid. Jerry chimes in with some backup vocals and nice guitar playing.
Ain't It Crazy (The Rub)
Oct. 10, 1968
The Matrix

No singing, but some jamming better than any version that did have vocals. Give this a listen!!