headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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parrott56

millennial head

+5024


Submissions

4
Loser
Sept. 10, 1974
Alexandra Palace

Phil drops some serious bombs to complement Jerry’s ringing leads.
4
Pretty Peggy O
Aug. 24, 1980
Grand Center

Jerry’s solo is a fountain of melodic exuberance, reminiscent of the BEW earlier in the set.
4
Wharf Rat
Oct. 27, 1973
Indianapolis State Fair Coliseum

Worth switching to the AUD to hear the explosive ending after the SBD cuts out. Just awe-inspiring.
4
Drums -> Space
March 26, 1990
Knickerbocker Arena

Freaky electro Drums. In Space, listen for Bobby’s wild playing shortly before Jerry segues into Miracle.
13
Me and Bobby McGee
March 24, 1973
The Spectrum

Tight, energetic, heartfelt rendition of this era staple.
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Comments

St. Stephen
March 20, 1977
Winterland Arena

“Some of the worst singing the Dead ever did”? You’ve got to be kidding me. There are some vocal performances from the ’60s and mid-’80s that would like to have a word with you. This is average singing from one of their better years vocally. Also, the noodling here is fairly substantive. All in all, an easy upvote, if not quite the absolute best post-hiatus version. (Check out 1/11/78!)
China Doll
Sept. 10, 1983
Downs of Santa Fe

I love the ’83-style pre-Drums China Dolls. Jerry and Phil bail on the jam pretty quickly, but then we get to enjoy some fine, harmonically adventurous Bobby, Brent, and Rhythm Devils jamming. Great stuff.
Bertha
May 13, 1977
Auditorium Theatre

Uptempo but not rushed, effervescent, and clean as a whistle. There are a ton of great May '77 Berthas, and this is one of them. Don't miss it.
Friend of the Devil
May 13, 1977
Auditorium Theatre

Keith’s smoooooth chromatic scale entry into his solo must be heard to be believed.
One More Saturday Night
May 13, 1977
Auditorium Theatre

Apparently the version on the box set is from 5/28/77, as the 5/13 tape was irreparably damaged. The Archive links are truly 5/13, though.
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