headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+24591


Submissions

1
Aiko Aiko
Feb. 23, 1993
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

Hey Now! Played on Mardi Gras day with 10 minute drum percussion lead-in to start the 2nd set! You'll like what the Big Chief say.
3
Space
March 16, 1990
Capital Centre

Not Space, but since there's no category for "jam" this beautiful calypso improv out of WomenRsmarter will have to do (also has an "Eyes" tease)
2
Greatest Story Ever Told
Oct. 9, 1982
Frost Amphitheatre

From the show always overshadowed by the next night, which is a shame. Fantastic Jerry/Brent conversation mid-jam. Give a listen!
11
Let It Grow
June 10, 1976
Boston Music Hall

Liquid
5
Althea
July 1, 1980
San Diego Sports Arena

3 versions on archive. Grab the SBD seeded by Brian Cole. Listen to the insane end jam. Listen to the whole thing. This is an A+++ version!

Comments

China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
April 2, 1973
Boston Garden

New Dap #21 shows off in best sound quality how good this version really is. Feeling Groovy jam just emerges out of thin air, wafting in like a gentle breeze and continuing seamlessly into IKYR. Outstanding version, should be much higher.
Mississippi Halfstep Uptown Toodeloo
Dec. 11, 1972
Winterland Arena

^^^^ One reason I prefer this version to 8/2/172 is that this one has some musical separation between the "across the rio grand-ee-o" section. 8/2/172 launches straight into it after the "on my way" lyric and it's pretty jarring, especially since--another slight drawback to these '72's--Donna isn't exactly in tune, nor is Phil. Might seem a nit-pick point, but this version here has a nice little musical bridge before they launch across the lazy river, and that section is also better sung than 8/21/72 is.
Eyes Of The World
Aug. 30, 1978
Red Rocks Ampitheatre

What this is doing still hanging down around here in single digit votes is anyone's guess. I'm going on the theory that of the 3 versions on the archive, 2 of them have a brutal cut in the first jam break of this tune. But, problem solved: There's a Miller version (2nd set only) that has restored the cut section and what you're left with is a nearly 17 minute version that is one of the mellowest, but also jazziest and wonderfully flowing versions ever. I've already voted for this version and commented now twice, so I'm done, but honestly, this is a way better version than its spot on the ladder would indicate.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
May 26, 1995
Memorial Stadium

The Fire is good, but the rest is nothing special, not to mention botched lyrics by Jerry in the Scarlet. No upvote here and no way do I get where its placement on the list is. Just because it's good for '95 doesn't mean it should be listed higher than so many dozens of other versions that are by any objective measure better.
Spanish Jam
July 29, 1974
Capitol Center

Love the way Bobby seamlessly blends the Other One theme (which precedes this) in the first minute or so of the tune. This is a splendid reading overall as well.