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

Sugar Magnolia
Nov. 11, 1973
Winterland Arena

Did Billy have to go to the bathroom, because he killed the jam before Sunshine Daydream.
Greatest Story Ever Told
Aug. 27, 1972
Old Renaissance Faire Grounds

A trip to Pluto and back, all contained in a 5 minute rock & roll tune? Yup.
Big Railroad Blues
June 6, 1991
Deer Creek Music Center

Nice, long version. First instrumental break Jerry plays it sweet and long. Bruce gets things going on the next one, ultimately giving way to Jerry, who is riding a second peak, then Bruce comes back in to finish things off. Vince is also putting in some nice fills and his vocals aren't trampling over everybody else's. Phil be a thumpin' big time. Check it out - it's worth your time.
Blow Away
July 29, 1988
Laguna Seca Recreation Area

Once again, another version suffers from the band being unsure what to play to back up Brent. Phil does his best, but Jerry seems to be someplace else.
Beat it on Down The Line
March 20, 1977
Winterland Arena

It's like a nice duet with Bob and Donna putting in really good lead vocals and Jerry sounds good when he chimes in too. I'm not a big fan of the slow and lazy tempo and Jerry doesn't play nice when Keith tries to take the lead, but Jerry won't let him in.