headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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DonnieInMT

GDTRFB

+15113


Submissions

1
Mexicali Blues
April 10, 1987
UIC Pavilion

Good tempo and jamming.
2
Mister Charlie
March 5, 1972
Winterland Arena

Slow tempo, groovy and funky.
2
Bertha
March 5, 1972
Winterland Arena

A soaring melody from Jerry.
1
One More Saturday Night
Nov. 10, 1979
Chrisler Arena

Killer high octane encore on the heels of a sweet Sugar Magnolia. No, Bob - thank you!!!
1
Sugar Magnolia
Nov. 10, 1979
Chrisler Arena

It starts off slow and lazy, but as the tune begins to unfold, the tempo gets faster until they are just killing it as a band with the pre-SSDD jam.

Comments

Bertha
Aug. 27, 1972
Old Renaissance Faire Grounds

Possibly the best version ever played. Jerry's solo starts off ripping fast, gets more melodic and ends on another fast run. Great vocals, too. Excellent.
Bertha
Aug. 6, 1971
Hollywood Palladium

The energy is there, the solo is really good, but best ever? I'd have to say 8-27-72 has a better solo and is overall better. But this is still probably top 5 material.
Attics of My Life
Sept. 20, 1970
Fillmore East

A strong vocal performance all around, well timed. Excellent version.
Attics of My Life
Oct. 9, 1989
Hampton Coliseum

The band is really together - they must have practiced this a lot. While it's emotionally powerful and a wonderful song to bring back, I strongly prefer the 1970 versions, where Jerry's vocals haven't broken down yet. This is, after all, a song that's all about the singing.
And We Bid You Goodnight
May 24, 1969
Seminole Indian Village

I don't understand why this isn't ranked higher. The band is together on the lyrics, sounding really good. Jerry nails the verses, singing them in alphabetical order. You can hear someone on the bongos. It starts with one person clapping and eventually the crowd joins in - actually in rhythm. Gotta love the announcer closing things out - "The Grateful Dead. Far out." If not the best version ever, this is easily top 5 material. Give it a listen.