headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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SlowlyTooFades

90s aficionado

+1455


Submissions

3
Truckin'
March 7, 1981
Cole Field House

From a kind of under the radar show: Truckin out of space winds down into a spacey jam, atypical of the period.
6
Cryptical Envelopment
Sept. 3, 1985
Starlight Theater

Really, none of these '85 versions are all that great (except as novelties), but this one is probably the strongest. JG gets all the words right!
5
Bertha
Oct. 19, 1994
Madison Square Garden

Okay, so maybe Garcia drops some words (& even verses) here and there...it gives him an opportunity for an extra long solo, which winds around nicely.
13
Ripple
Dec. 6, 1980
Mill Valley Recreation Center

With the small crowd you can actually hear the band sing!
6
Crazy Fingers
Sept. 7, 1985
Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Classic version. Segues into Samson.
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Comments

Truckin'
Dec. 31, 1972
Winterland Arena

Probably my favorite version: Bobby is right on top of the vocals, the band drives it to the climax, then proceed into some very tight improvisation. What follows (O1> Dew) is excellent as well, matching this nicely.
Estimated Prophet
Oct. 26, 1989
Miami Arena

These Miami shows are great, almost (but not quite) up to Hampton. And this is a titanic version of Estimated, powerful where it needs to be, tight where it should be (and often isn't), and just about as exploratory as they come.
Dark Star
Oct. 26, 1989
Miami Arena

Everything you've heard about how weird the second half of this version is is true. Hear it, it you haven't yet. (And the rest of the show is excellent, as is the night before).
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Oct. 14, 1994
Madison Square Garden

The middle part, where JG sounds almost like he wants to go into Rider, is superb; but it's got nothing on the crescendo at the end. Audience gives a minute-long ovation at the end, which you can even hear (clearly & loudly) on the Sbd.
Greatest Story Ever Told
Aug. 27, 1972
Old Renaissance Faire Grounds

I've often said that if I could have only 5 minutes of GD, it would be these.
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