headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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coralsandbelow

better off dead

+48812


Submissions

13
Dark Star
May 31, 1969
McArthur Court, University of Oregon

One of the very best early versions!!! Trippy, wild, and emotive, with Ken Babbs throwing in some "flavor"
4
Caution
Feb. 12, 1969
Fillmore East

Monster breakdown in this Caution; the band is HUGE
21
Alligator
Aug. 21, 1968
Fillmore West

Beautiful Mountain Jam and Bid You Goodnight themes
4
The Other One
June 5, 1969
Fillmore West

Wild, loose and scorching Other One followed by one of the best Crypitcal reprises, maybe second only to 3/2/69
43
The Other One
Feb. 27, 1969
Fillmore West

OK, so this gets pretty overshadowed by the other heavy-hitter of this show, but this That's It... suite is one of the hottest ever!

Comments

Dark Star
March 16, 1973
Nassau Coliseum

The pre-verse jams in this version are awesome, constantly shifting in mood and direction, with Billy the Engineer driving the train. Garcia is also very jazzy and bubbly, and takes the jam to some intense heights. The post-verse meltdown is pretty insane, too, and there's an unusual, almost funky segue into Truckin'. Overall, this one easily rivals my favorite spring '73 Dark Star, 3/28.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
March 28, 1973
Civic Center

Very smooth
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
May 26, 1973
Kezar Stadium

Absolute GOO. In my top 10 China>Riders, no doubt.
Let It Grow
Sept. 11, 1973
William and Mary College Hall

Definitely the best LIG with the horns, and one of my all-time favorite versions.
Let It Grow
Oct. 21, 1973
Omaha Civic Auditorium

An intense performance from a very underrated show...I wish this was in better sound quality!