headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

10
Black Peter
Sept. 25, 1981
Stabler Arena

After 10/29/77 this should be your go-to BP. Emotion oozes and Jer shreds the outro.
11
Beat it on Down The Line
March 22, 1990
Copps Coliseum

A breezy bouncin' bubbly Bobby Beat it...best of the 90's.
8
El Paso
March 27, 1972
Academy of Music

Jerry in serious bluegrass mode. Most country-westernized version ever. At the end Phil sez "Thanks, Texans" even tho' they're in NYC. Awesome version
23
Let It Grow
Sept. 19, 1990
Madison Square Garden

Hornsby gets on board in a big way & Jerry jazzes up the jam sections. Weir slashes away & sings w/passion. Strong candidate for Best of the 90's.
4
Desolation Row
April 17, 1987
Irvine Meadows

This song was only as good as Bobby was committed to it, and on this night he was 100% in Dylan-idoling mode. Gorgeous rendeition, lovingly sung.
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Comments

Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
March 20, 1981
Rainbow Theater

Total winner right here--thick, jammy Scarlet with a fantastic transition into a rippin' Fire. Sounds amazing on the new release. Rhythm Devils especially come out slugging in the end coda jam to fire - sick slick version right here that deserves to shoot way up the ladder
They Love Each Other
Dec. 8, 1973
Cameron Indoor Stadium, Duke U

Bump needed here. It's understandable how this could get lost in a sea of great versions from this year but this one's worthy of seeking out. Perfect funky pacing and a great jam in the middle. Jer plays w/the bridge lyric a bit: "every song I'm singing I heard it first from you" instead of the usual line. Should at least be dub-digits here.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Aug. 5, 1979
Oakland Auditorium Arena

weaknesses in the Scarlet yes, but upping this because I can't recall another version in which the transition into Fire recalls the main Scarlet theme so prominently and once they get into Fire Jerry gets down to it with some great fuzzy gritty notes on the intro and everyone else kinda falls into that sweet Fire pocket--unique for sure as NFA sez and worth a boost on the board
Row Jimmy
Sept. 9, 1974
Alexandra Palace

^^^^Not necessarily "more" relaxing but for being definitely in that sweet/mellow wheelhouse I'd recommend 9/18/74 and the lesser known but equally as beautiful 7/25/74
Ramble On Rose
Feb. 1, 1978
Uptown Theatre

More proof this board works. Never knew of this version (much less what looks like a pretty cool show--i'll have to dive in) until i saw the recent recs--much thanks--and yeah this is a grand ol' Jerry having a blast belting it out barn burner with the hard edged rock em sock em rhythm devils backing you got in '78. 2 pretty nice board sources available too--worth checking out
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