headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

6
Candyman
Oct. 28, 1977
Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Hall

There's a Betty Board of this one available. And it's gorgeous. What's stopping you?
9
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Dec. 27, 1982
Oakland Auditorium

Seek out the CM SBD (2d set only). This is a fine combo w/Brent & Jer driving Scarlet & Phil prominent in Fire. '82 was a sweet year for S>F!
7
The Other One
Oct. 12, 1977
Manor Downs

Another roaring out of the gate and sustained thereafter 01 that should not be ignored. '77 had its great share & this is one of 'em. Heavy on Phil!
9
Brown Eyed Women
Oct. 4, 1981
Rainbow Theater

While I prefer the 1977 BEWs overall this one is excellent for its speed & precision & Jerry nailing all the lyrics w/ gusto! Don't overlook this gem!
4
Cold Rain and Snow
Oct. 4, 1981
Rainbow Theater

The overlooked European tour. Love Jer's voice for this song in '81.Hangs an extra vocal note or 2 on the chilly winds don't blow refrain. Great stuff
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Comments

Brokedown Palace
June 25, 1995
RFK Stadium

I haven’t even listened to this version yet (I will) but I came here the night I learned of Robert Hunter leaving this realm & am just upvoting every version of Brokedown Palace, symbolically via this one, & because there is no such thing as a “bad” Brokedown Palace, because it is one of the most soulful pieces of poetry ever written, & because, well, just.....Robert Hunter.
Keep On Growing
June 22, 1985
Alpine Valley Music Theater

Phil takes a nice vocal turn on this rarity. Surprised it doesn't have more ups.
Brown Eyed Women
June 30, 1985
Merriweather Post Pavilion

The whiskey costs $5 instead of 2 in this one, so you know it's worthy. Nice chops from Jerry, long bridge jam, plus the aforementioned mini feedback on 'ready to kill'. Take a quarter point away for Jerry's weak-ish vocals (although he does nail all the lyrics, which is nice), but it's '85 so that's to be expected. I've done a non scientific analysis & I think '85 has got to take the cake for being the worst-sounding Jerry voice year in the band's history.
Playin' In The Band
July 1, 1978
Arrowhead Stadium

^^^^Excellent point Merry on this version and frankly many other Playins circa ‘77-‘78 that also click in around 10 mins and get passed over for lengthier “monster” versions. Those are almost like different songs in their bookended self contained 25-30 min. madness and they’re great but don’t overlook these shorter “launch pad” versions that pack a lot of jazzy exploration into a shorter space. This is one of them.
Fire On The Mountain
June 28, 1976
Auditorium Theatre

It's the Marcel Marceau version (no vocal) & really, none needed. I've been digging this one a LOT lately b/c the groove is just so damn infectious and irresistible. Easily the best of the prototype "beta" versions & better than some fully developed ones in which Jerry mumbles through blown lyrics & the band sounds tired. This one suffers no energy drain whatsoever despite its emphasis on rhythm & mellow flow rather than Garcia-led shredding.
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