headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

grendel

Books and Music

+24566


Submissions

4
Ramble On Rose
Oct. 21, 1971
Auditorium Theatre

Keith's second show & he's all over this faster paced super fun honky tonk version!
5
The Weight
June 7, 1991
Deer Creek Music Center

This is really the best one I've heard--everyobody nails their parts/lyrics...great piano fills on the side (yay, Bruce!). Just exactly, etc.
20
Althea
Sept. 9, 1982
Saenger Performing Arts Center

Incredible. Check out Brent's fills during the epic post-lyrics outro. A must-listen top tier Althea w/bounce, power, & panache!
17
Deal
Feb. 23, 1974
Winterland Arena

Apparently no one is aware that a fellow named Keith played in this band or this version would have 50 votes already. Needs to be heard!
1
Pretty Peggy O
Sept. 4, 1980
Providence Civic Center

Outside of 1977 this may be the best version I've heard. A+ vocals from Jerry, killer mid-solo; slightly faster tempo. Must hear. Gr8 Matrix!
show more submissions

Comments

Eyes Of The World
May 21, 1974
Edmundson Pavilion

Better than a lot of ones from the same year currently higher on the ladder. Blissful post second verse second jam.
Wharf Rat
May 21, 1974
Edmundson Pavilion

Great point Carrion makes about the Birdsongish quality of this Rat, especially in the outro jam which manages to be dreamy and intense all at once. Great vox from Jerry on this one too. I prefer this song mostly in 1977 but of the pre ‘77 versions this might be my favorite especially as heard in the new Pacific Northwest box set. Excellent group of shows and hopefully this one will get attention beyond the 46 min. PITB
He's Gone
June 7, 1977
Winterland Arena

Hadn’t listened to this one in forever. End jam has got to be the best they ever did for this tune. Easy +1 & glad for all the commentary on it.
Terrapin Station
May 17, 1977
Memorial Coliseum

^^^^That’s a wonderful story! Cool too that you got your old man to admit he likes the Cornell BEW. I’m with you in my passion for this tune, it’s one of my very favorites of the 1st set variety along with Row Jimmy and Cassidy so I guess that’s why I care enough to claim that a version like 11/4/77 is so much better than Cornell. I’ve gone back and listened a lot to 5/8 since the official release and it’s undoubtedly strong in almost every way but I’m still caught on having that particular version being #1. I can’t prove it but my guess is if the date label were removed it’d come in top 3-5, but not in 1st place. And I’d be fine with that.
Morning Dew
March 27, 1994
Nassau Coliseum

What gets me most is how stupendously strong Garcia’s vocals are on this version. He’s belting it out like he’s 20 years younger but he still also adds that veteran grizzle that made the song even more emotionally powerful in his later days. The playing is great too and he nails the obligatory shredded outro but it’s really astonishing that this is sung in ‘94. It’s crazy good and I have no problem saying a top 10 all time version.
show more comments
headyversion loves the dead but is in no way affiliated with The Grateful Dead or affiliated enterprises. find out more >:) >:)