headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

1
Aiko Aiko
Feb. 23, 1993
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

Hey Now! Played on Mardi Gras day with 10 minute drum percussion lead-in to start the 2nd set! You'll like what the Big Chief say.
3
Space
March 16, 1990
Capital Centre

Not Space, but since there's no category for "jam" this beautiful calypso improv out of WomenRsmarter will have to do (also has an "Eyes" tease)
2
Greatest Story Ever Told
Oct. 9, 1982
Frost Amphitheatre

From the show always overshadowed by the next night, which is a shame. Fantastic Jerry/Brent conversation mid-jam. Give a listen!
11
Let It Grow
June 10, 1976
Boston Music Hall

Liquid
5
Althea
July 1, 1980
San Diego Sports Arena

3 versions on archive. Grab the SBD seeded by Brian Cole. Listen to the insane end jam. Listen to the whole thing. This is an A+++ version!
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Comments

Not Fade Away
May 8, 1977
Barton Hall - Cornell University

I finally "get" this version, helped by the new box set cleaned up recording, but also b/c I see now that it's more of a patient rendition, with Jerry playing the long game rather than going for the quick KO blow. My favorite is still the breaking through the gates of hell version from 12/29/77 which is all power and fury, but this one rewards for its long, flowing jam presence. If you want to take a long sweet float down the NFA river, this is the raft you want to be on. +1
Bertha
Dec. 31, 1987
Oakland Coliseum Arena

There's a killer Terrapin from this show as well and an all-time Iko w/the Nevillies. This Bertha is high energy and can hang with the big boys for certain.
Estimated Prophet
June 25, 1978
Autzen Stadium, U. of Oregon

Heck yeah! Fine version from a really oddly underrated 1978 winner. Check out the "Eyes" from this show as well.
Brown Eyed Women
May 8, 1977
Barton Hall - Cornell University

Nice version. Nothing wrong with it. But it's placement at number one is exhibit A as to why Barton is so overhyped. I get it. Great show. Library of Congress great. But that doesn't mean EVERY song from the show deserves to sit at the top. The number two listed here from 11/4/77 is better in every conceivable way, from Jerry's solo to the vocal delivery, yet it's 30 votes off the pace. Ridiculous. Better versions from the same damn year include 5/17/77, 5/4/77 and 3/20/77. We diminish the overall greatness of Cornell when we blindly vote too many of its songs to the top just because we see 5/8/77 attached to it.
Brown Eyed Women
May 9, 1977
War Memorial

Hands down better than Barton. But there are better versions than both all throughout this year. 5/17/77, 11/4/77 to name just two.
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