headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

9
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
May 13, 1977
Auditorium Theatre

Almost beyond description. The last full jam leading into the GDTR chorus is a perfect storm example of what made the Dead magic
12
Brown Eyed Women
May 17, 1977
Memorial Coliseum

Gotta check out the "small" songs in legendary shows like this as well as the usual suspects! Check out Jerry's utterly perfect bridge jam & be in awe
22
Bird Song
Sept. 22, 1993
Madison Square Garden

If you don't know Saxophonist David Murray, here's a good way to find out how great he is. This is one stellar Birdsong that flew under the radar here
19
They Love Each Other
May 17, 1977
Memorial Coliseum

Is there anything prettier, sweeter or more sublimely lovely than Keith's piano in this version? You decide. This TLEO is incredible.
56
Sugaree
May 11, 1977
St. Paul Civic Center Arena

New #1 favorite. Slightly more compact than other amazing '77 versions & so a bit more focused. 2d Garcia solo has no equal.
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Comments

Pretty Peggy O
Sept. 18, 1974
Parc des Expositions

Astonishing that they could take a song so long in the rotation and have one stand out as beautifully as this. Almost like a completely different tune compared with the more aggressive versions that (deservedly) get a ton of attention--i.e. 12/27/77. 9/3/77, and 4/16/78 which all feature "heavier" Garcia solos but for pure beauty and full band engagement (more to love for Phil and Keith fans here) this one deserves its place in the pantheon of the greatest ever. Another runner up (if you're craving a five star mellow version) can be found at 6/30/74.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
May 4, 1977
The Palladium

Re-listening after the DaPicks vol 50 release and my oh my even with its relatively high vote total on the board this one is still grossly underrated. Listen to how Phil subtly elongates the bass notes before they drop into the Fire theme after the lovely transition. Donna sparkles here, too. The whole band does. When you consider the versions played from here right thru Barton and the also vastly underappreciated 5/11 version in MN. this is a master class stretch of the finest '77 versions around. This one still gets somewhat lost in the shuffle, tho', and it could use some more ears and votes methinks.
Cassidy
April 16, 1978
Huntington Civic Center

Contrarian opinion here--nice version for most of the tune but it ultimately falls short because they flub the landing at the end. Awkward re-entry at best to "flight of the seabirds". Can't upvote it when there are so many better performed versions from the same year (5/14, 4/24 just to name a couple)
Mind Left Body Jam
March 10, 1993
Rosemont Horizon

Everything said plus extra points for the relative rarity of getting to hear this gem in this particular era. Really tender, almost nostalgic, pulled off beautifully.
Wang Dang Doodle
June 22, 1991
Soldier Field

Heck, I'm upvoting this too despite the MIDI which really is actually pretty cool in this version--plus, Bobby's all in vocally. Snuff juice everywhere.
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