headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

DonnieInMT

GDTRFB

+15113


Submissions

13
Big River
March 19, 1977
Winterland Arena

The intro is longer than most. Bouncy uptempo version. Excellent jamming.
1
Alabama Getaway
Sept. 12, 1982
Lakeland Civic Center

Always a good way to open the show.
1
Greatest Story Ever Told
Sept. 12, 1982
Lakeland Civic Center

I like the way they play this - it isn't direct and in your face. More exploratory than most.
1
Sugar Magnolia
Sept. 12, 1982
Lakeland Civic Center

Man, I love these '82 Sugar Mags. Tje energy, focus and execution. They are so damn lively - excellent fast tempo serves this song well.
4
Bertha
April 4, 1971
Manhattan Center

Show opener. Jerry soars with thunder from Phil.
show more submissions

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.
show more comments
headyversion loves the dead but is in no way affiliated with The Grateful Dead or affiliated enterprises. find out more >:) >:)