headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+24523


Submissions

4
Ramble On Rose
Dec. 30, 1977
Winterland Arena

Faster than usual tempo with just a brilliant Jerry bridge jam and no missed lyrics make this one a not-to-be-missed version.
14
The Other One
May 18, 1977
Fox Theatre

Not sure why everyone ignores '77 versions, but you're missing out if you haven't heard this one. Power packed Jerry-led fury.
4
Spanish Jam
May 21, 1995
Sam Boyd Silver Bowl

In the band's worst year they somehow came up with a really short but spot-on SJ that emerges nicely out of space. Ignore the date-check out the tune.
4
It Must Have Been The Roses
March 13, 1981
Utica Coliseum

Seek out the SBD (unknown lineage) then bask in what's possibly the best-sung, most heartfelt & lovely "Roses" ever.
54
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
May 11, 1977
St. Paul Civic Center Arena

It's criminal that this hasn't made the list yet. Like super-smooth '77 versions? You MUST hear this.
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Comments

Candyman
Dec. 27, 1977
Winterland Arena

Need a rally here for this one. Flows like liquid from Jerry's fingers and his voice is as stated above in fine delicate form here. There's a ton of great Candymans but some get lost in the shuffle and we need to pull this ace of the deck and show it around.
The Music Never Stopped
Oct. 2, 1976
Riverfront Arena

Adding upvote as well solely for the MLB mini-jam which works so beautifully here and makes this one unique. (At least I can't think of another version that does this--if anyone knows of one please direct me to it)--but this is a gem of an idea & is pulled off so well before they start jamming the more traditional way at the end. Very good version beyond that btw but the MLB jam is an upvote worthy easter egg
Bird Song
Aug. 12, 1972
Sacramento Memorial Auditorium

Good as advertised--if you like spacey gooey jammed out Birdsongs this one is waiting for you with open wings
Jack Straw
Oct. 18, 1983
Cumberland County Civic Center

Awesome reverb/whammy effects into & out of the final stanza--as mentioned above this is some of Bob's finest rhythm work you'll ever hear on this tune. Under the radar version from an equally underappreciated show
Might As Well
Oct. 2, 1976
Riverfront Arena

Super tight version most notable for A+ vocals by Jerry--not always his strong point-- but belts this one out & lyrics all nailed down here... new DaP53 has Keith up in the mix and sounding great too. End jam is a little clunky if you wanna take off a quarter point (not nearly as rocked out as 10/29/77 by comparison) but this is one of the cleanest renditions of the tune I've ever heard. Def. worth some more votes
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