headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

2
Me and My Uncle
April 19, 1978
Veterans Memorial Auditorium

Garciia packs epic multitudes into his brief guitar solo. Check out this WAY under the radar MAMU>BigRiver pairing. One of the best ever.
2
The Mighty Quinn (Quinn The Eskimo)
May 11, 1991
Shoreline Amphitheatre

Slowest but also funkiest version ever played. Garcia stumbles out of the gates on lyrics but it's no train wreck & the band rescues for a winner
2
Aiko Aiko
May 11, 1991
Shoreline Amphitheatre

Bruce is boss on this one, his keys just adding color & style throughout the tune. Overlooked show & performance
3
Space
May 12, 1981
Veterans' Memorial Coliseum

Numerous "Lively Up Yourself" teases within this short space--follows a "He's Gone" dedicated to Bob Marley
4
Samson and Delilah
April 18, 1978
Civic Arena

Kicking intro out of Dancin'>Drums and into a typically raucous, rippin', 1978 Samson. You'll dig it for the into alone but the whole thing is a beast
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Comments

Dark Star
April 27, 1969
Labor Temple

Grunge rock Dark Star. Jerry never stops playing his fuzzed-out acid drenched chops off in this one, unique among Stars I've heard from this era that almost always feature floaty, deep-space, twinkling Mickey-gong segments, but this puppy never stops romping all over the space provided, with the rest of the band adding the out-of-earth flourishes as Jerry just cranks his guitar and lets his fingers fly. Worth grabbing the official DP26 release for best sound quality. Exceptional DS'69 here.
The Other One
Dec. 5, 1979
Uptown Theater

So much going on in this way way way underrated version--including a subtle butr quite distinct "Let It Grow" jam dropped in the midst of things. I'm on a mission to get this at least into double digits. Check out this monster version...spacey, multiple Jerry runs, peaks. great rumbling Phil intro, and the killer "Let It Grow" phrasing...get on this, folks.
Shakedown Street
Dec. 30, 1978
Pauley Pavilion

Disco Dead in the best possible way. Total funk achieved from the moment the seamless transition from PITB is initiated & then you hear Jerry's fingers fly while staying in the pocket like a veteran QB unfazed by the blitz & finding his receivers over & over again on laser focused slant passes. Quick-take Shakedown that packs so much punch in its under 10 minute run it can stand with any of the marathon monsters from later years. Easy +1
Stella Blue
June 30, 1985
Merriweather Post Pavilion

Adding vote bc yes this is a fine melancholy Stella & one of the rare times Jerry’s croaky voice lends pathos to the tune & only reason I hadn’t before is bc of the above spot on comment about the jarring entry into round&round which I always thought was a tragic segue for a tune as beautiful as Stella. Never liked R&R anyway but especially resented launching into it on the heels of SB. Nevertheless this is a fine upvote worthy version. Just make sure to fade out before the buzz kill
Franklin's Tower
March 13, 1982
Reno Centennial Coliseum

and he nails all the lyrics! (Brent does some nice piano flourishes, too. Fast but tight--fine version)
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