headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

52
Dark Star
Dec. 31, 1978
Winterland Arena

Farewell to Winterland; Not 40 mins. long ; no break down into feedback nonsense. Just sweet jazzy jamming; Just exactly perfect send off.
10
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Sept. 25, 1981
Stabler Arena

Transition jam weaves into spaces most fail to go; touch-down into Fire is GOLD. Jerry flubs first line in Fire-after that: 1 of the BEST ever!
19
He's Gone
Sept. 26, 1972
Stanley Theatre

Perfect, self-contained, blues-infused, stellar vocals, 14+ minutes of bliss. Extra fun: Check out the "Birdsong" riff about 10 secs. into the intro
36
Dark Star
Sept. 16, 1972
Boston Music Hall

Amazed this isn't here yet Gorgeous, melodic, jazz-infused, mellow, trippy, spacey into hard ripping Jerry riffs; melts into Brokedown Palace. Sublime
48
Cold Rain and Snow
Oct. 12, 1984
Augusta Civic Center

Kicks off with authority a 2d set every DeadHead needs to hear. Perfect bookend to Jerry's scorching Dew. They say it was cold&rainy that nite in ME.
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Comments

He's Gone
Oct. 19, 1974
Winterland Arena

double digits already please. Neglected I can only guess b/c of so many excellent versions in the '72-'74 era but this needs to be heard some more.
Morning Dew
Oct. 18, 1974
Winterland Arena

Whew. Move over Barton, & if not for the pure raw emotional old man Jerry voice power of 10/12//84 this would easily be my favorite. Technically speaking, this one is really the best. Jerry never sang it more beautifully, & unlike nearly every great version I can think of, the best guitar moment here is not in the big final coda, but in the jam following the "young man" section, a perfect blend of power & purpose & passion. What an amazing Dew. Again, if not for the raw emotional tsunami of 10/12/84 this would be my hands down favorite.
Black Throated Wind
June 23, 1974
Jai-Alai Fronton

Adding to the accolades for this excellent rendition w/Billy the true star as many have pointed out. This sounds better than ever as a DaP
Shakedown Street
March 18, 1990
Civic Center

total sleeper pick here, one of the best of the 90s for sure with ripping riffs & back up vox from Brent & great voice from Jerry as well. Faster paced jam again anchored by Brent. Really nice choice & surprisingly under the radar based on the mere 10 votes when I added mine.
Estimated Prophet
May 5, 1978
Thompson Arena - Dartmouth College

Get outta here that Garcia solo into the first jam break. This whole show is bonkers good & gets somehow overlooked but nothing in it is more under-appreciated than this stupendous EP. Better than many others currently sitting above.
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