headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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merryjerry

wacked

+6835


Submissions

9
The Wheel
Oct. 2, 1977
Paramount Theatre

It's so apt that The Wheel would roll into Truckin' that the outro is short but the rest is very nice.
9
Eyes Of The World
June 27, 1984
Merriweather Post Pavilion

Jerry really mines the changes on this one and pulls out plenty of little gold nuggets (like Coltrane). Good interplay, too. An inspired version.
11
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
May 12, 1981
Veterans' Memorial Coliseum

A cheesy video of this kickass version would have Garcia playing atop a steam locomotive as it barrels down the track.
10
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Oct. 18, 1972
Fox Theater

Incomplete, but what remains is top-notch and essential.
12
Me and Bobby McGee
March 26, 1973
Baltimore Civic Center

I just gotta nominate this one, that's all.

Comments

Cassidy
Oct. 19, 1989
The Spectrum

Maybe I’ve just heard this one so many times, I don’t know, but this is the version by which I judge all other versions.
The Music Never Stopped
April 24, 1978
Horton Field House - Illinois State University

Incredible stuff. The only reason this is not offically recognized as the ‘headiest’ version in these pages is that 4/24/78 is not as well-known as 5/9/77.
Promised Land
April 24, 1978
Horton Field House - Illinois State University

This makes me wanna be in a ’78 Ford 150 pickup with Latvala and a lid of his Hawaiian green going down a dirt road with the tune boomin’, the sun shinin’, and talkin’ ‘bout nothin’ but the Dead. Awesome version.
The Wheel
Feb. 3, 1978
Dane County Coliseum

Mistakenly put this up for 2/5/78, but all is right now.
Playin' In The Band
Feb. 3, 1978
Dane County Coliseum

A generally laid-back and meandering version. The reprise however, is twangy and driving.