headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

41
Sugar Magnolia
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

Best ever. No fooling. Don't miss Mickey and Billy dueling each other at the frenzied end jam before heading into SSDD. Whole version insane!
80
Jack Straw
Oct. 20, 1984
Carrier Dome, Syracuse U

Crazy hard driving insanisty to end the first set. One of those jam segments that builds and builds and KABOOMS into final verse. Phil fans: a must
15
Stella Blue
April 19, 1982
Baltimore Civic Center

Sweet & melty....gorgeous harmonies from Brent.
88
Sugaree
Oct. 16, 1977
Louisiana State U

1977 was a helluva year for this song. I have no quarrel w/ 5/5, 5/19, or 5/21, but I think this one beats 'em all by a nose!
53
St. Stephen
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

With all due rfespect to Barton Hall & others, this is the best version out there (IMO). Bluesy, rockin', jammin', just exactly perfect
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Comments

Dark Star
May 15, 1970
Fillmore East (Late Show)

more and more enamored of this one, a floating, dreamy gem of a version, masterfully in rhythm and w/a gorgeous return following some mellow gong-space. Excellent.
Me and My Uncle
Nov. 6, 1977
Broome County Arena

Forgot to mention in 1st comments that Jerry lays down a mean solo even while caught in the faster paced disco double time. Stellar.
Big Railroad Blues
July 31, 1971
Yale Bowl, Yale University

True grit right here. Nothing fancy or pretty but a rocked out, ragged, rip roaring good one.
Playin' In The Band
Oct. 18, 1972
Fox Theater

Jazz clinic version that sandwiches a drums>darkStar>Dew>reprise. Underrated by about 20-30 votes.
Crazy Fingers
July 13, 1976
Orpheum Theatre

May be my new personal favorite. The outro jam is legendary for good reason--as close to a Shankar-style raga as you'll ever hear them do--but even before then, the mid-song bridge jam is just a thousand different kinds of beautiful & Donna Jean just sparkles on vocals, blending rather than overtaking Jerry at key moments. Stunning, spectacular version, better perhaps by a nose than many of the other fine June/July 1976 renditions listed on the board.
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