headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

grendel

Books and Music

+24561


Submissions

4
Ramble On Rose
Oct. 21, 1971
Auditorium Theatre

Keith's second show & he's all over this faster paced super fun honky tonk version!
5
The Weight
June 7, 1991
Deer Creek Music Center

This is really the best one I've heard--everyobody nails their parts/lyrics...great piano fills on the side (yay, Bruce!). Just exactly, etc.
20
Althea
Sept. 9, 1982
Saenger Performing Arts Center

Incredible. Check out Brent's fills during the epic post-lyrics outro. A must-listen top tier Althea w/bounce, power, & panache!
17
Deal
Feb. 23, 1974
Winterland Arena

Apparently no one is aware that a fellow named Keith played in this band or this version would have 50 votes already. Needs to be heard!
1
Pretty Peggy O
Sept. 4, 1980
Providence Civic Center

Outside of 1977 this may be the best version I've heard. A+ vocals from Jerry, killer mid-solo; slightly faster tempo. Must hear. Gr8 Matrix!
show more submissions

Comments

He's Gone
May 26, 1973
Kezar Stadium

Been a while and I’d forgotten how good this one is, from the harmonizing to the jamming and esp. the bluesy outro. Glad it’s still in the top 5.
Dark Star
Feb. 28, 1969
Fillmore West

Positively dripping with psychedelic musical ooze. A free flowing trip down a rainbow river of sound. I like it better than the more exalted 2/27 but it's kind of sixes with what you get from both...can't go wrong. Been appreciating this run a lot more with the attention paid lately here on HV.
The Eleven
Feb. 28, 1969
Fillmore West

Depends how you like your 11's...as in a Spinal-tap-ish "these go to 11", cranked-out wild & chaotic, or more disciplined & controlled but still jammed out like this one is. This is probably my favorite of the versions and of this really spot-on style of precision 11, but they're all pretty hot in '68 and '69, just differs on how you like 'em served up.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Dec. 26, 1981
Oakland Auditorium

Grossly underrated at less than double digits at the time of this posting. Those who have commented already are among the most astute posters & some are among the toughest/most brutally honest as well. Should tell you the current ranking is a disservice to the rendition & I urge y'all to listen & give this some well deserved ups. As noted a very crunchy Miller SBD copy awaits. Great exploratory '81 jamming here in both tunes and Brent fans in particular should sing his praises for the work he does in the transition jam...very much the case in the best '81 versions.
Brokedown Palace
May 16, 1993
Sam Boyd Silver Bowl

Happily surprised out how good this is. The trick seems to be that Garcia understands the limitations of his '93 vox & instead of trying to hit notes he can't he changes his phrasing to fit a breezier reading...less gospel, but still extremely heartfelt and tenderly beautiful. Strong band involvement overall too...deserves its upper spot on the ladder here although at first i was skeptical.
show more comments
headyversion loves the dead but is in no way affiliated with The Grateful Dead or affiliated enterprises. find out more >:) >:)