headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+24523


Submissions

1
Ramble On Rose
Sept. 23, 1972
Palace Theater

Insanely strong version inexplicably absent til now. Check out Garcia's guitar run into the "just like crazy Otto" line & you'll be ready to upvote!
1
Ship of Fools
March 21, 1981
Rainbow Theatre

Listen to Phil dig in to intro Jerry's mid-jam solo & Garcia croons this one gently & beautifully & the "caution all" stanza is glorious
5
Eyes Of The World
Oct. 6, 1977
Activity Center. Arizona State U

Thought every '77 Eyes was listed & lauded; could NOT believe this was left out. Dazzling power intro & cooks after too-check Jer's 1st solo!
2
Big River
Dec. 30, 1977
Winterland Arena

Was gonna comment only to see it not even listed. That oversight is almost as nuts as this killer version--all out jam w/a fireball finish!
5
Touch of Grey
Oct. 28, 1990
Zenith

Baffled after hearing DaP55 to NOT see this on the board. Opening tune-real tight -Jer nails lyrics & gets feisty at the end + Phil power chugs it. +1

Comments

Deal
April 8, 1978
Veterans Memorial Coliseum

This here Deal is the real...well....deal. Seriously tho' it's vaulted right into my top 5 all time--no fooling. For one thing, it's got that great late 70's middle jam that goes around for several turns, all filled with color and nuance and panache in Jerry's leads (if you prefer the power jam codas that marked the 80's versions, that's fine too--may I suggest 5/1/81?), but fans of the slightly mellower yet still musically killer 70s versions are gonna love this. Best of all is Jerry's crazy good vocal reading throughout the tune--especially in the early going with lots of "if I told yas'" peppered with "people" and "burning off both your little ears"--always hallmarks of versions Jer was totally into--it's right here. Not to mention that the whole band wails vocally on the final portion--many go 'rounds on don't ya let that deal go down, but with overlapping call outs and awesome Donna interplay too. Such a stellar version sitting mired in sad single digits--so even if you don't have the new box set featuring this at least check it out on the archive--you won't be sorry.
Cassidy
April 7, 1978
The Sportatorium

Really think this one's better than advertised --a little more jamming than usual and dark's not a bad way to describe it--jer's solo is pretty intense but he sticks the landing...should get a bump from new box set
Ramble On Rose
Oct. 12, 1983
Madison Square Garden

Just bumped this to double digits--should be way higher--location & as said above audience reaction on 'just like NYC' sends chills & Garcia--croaky vox & all--nails all the lyrics and growls 'em out...nice little trill of guitar licks at the finale too--up worthy version here
Me and My Uncle
May 31, 1969
McArthur Court, University of Oregon

very nice. Some of the best versions --or at least the ones that stand out from the almost pringles- like similarity of the later years-- can be found in '69...try also 5-10-69 just a couple weeks before this one. Nice rec. here
Pretty Peggy O
Dec. 30, 1977
Winterland Arena

ridiculously low ranking for a brilliant version--and like those who've listened and voted said, the solo is phenomenal.