headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+24518


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
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Comments

Pretty Peggy O
April 7, 1978
The Sportatorium

Adding my sincere upvote on this total sleeper pick-lost amid a sea of great versions from this month/year but honestly you gotta give a listen---Jerry's solo starts out quiet and builds not to a raucous jam like Englishtown or some other '77 monsters but flows gorgeously and delivers wave after wave of beauty until washing up on shore as satisfyingly as any rendition you've heard. The realness right here.
Brown Eyed Women
June 26, 1974
Providence Civic Center

Only reason this has just a handful of votes must be due to the spotlight being focused on all the "big" songs and jams from this amazing show but this might be a candidate for "best of" early BEW's. Jerry's vocals are so syrupy good here and the relaxed cadence allows the song to breathe in ways it doesn't in later versions--good as those are for the extended bridge jams in between verses. You also get outstanding foundation from Phil in this one--it deserves to be higher for sure.
Brown Eyed Women
June 26, 1974
Providence Civic Center

Only reason this has just a handful of votes must be due to the spotlight being focused on all the "big" songs and jams from this amazing show but this might be a candidate for "best of" early BEW's. Jerry's vocals are so syrupy good here and the relaxed cadence allows the song to breathe in ways it doesn't in later versions--good as those are for the extended bridge jams in between verses. You also get outstanding foundation from Phil in this one--it deserves to be higher for sure.
Let It Grow
Jan. 31, 1978
Uptown Theater

Best version you've (probably) never heard. Absolute scorching jam sections and just when you think it can't get turned up to 11 Garcia goes full Spinal Tap after the final "I am" chorus--just all-out synapse-snapping lightning fingers...this is one of those buried treasure shows - maybe it's the date, who knows ?-but man, this version of LIG at the very least should tearing up the board
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
May 20, 1973
U.C.

Garcia throws some extra wood on the fire in the jam leading into the 3rd verse...as others have said this one flows with such ease you feel like you're floating down a river until it starts to pick up speed in the rapids heading into Rider. Should have voted this up a while ago.
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