headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

philrmonic

OUCH!

+273


Submissions

7
Eyes Of The World
Dec. 12, 1980
Swing Auditorium

What's the best Dead song? The one that's on right now!
10
Samson and Delilah
July 22, 1984
Ventura County Fairgrounds

Growling, aggressive, hard driving Samson that deserves to be on this list.

Comments

Fire On The Mountain
July 13, 1985
Ventura County Fairgrounds

I was at this show and this Fire is slow and soulful. Way better than Greek '86 (the other stand alone Fire I saw). I can't decide if it's this one or RCMH '80. Not only was there and actual fire on the mountain above Ventura, but a freight train rolled by during the song. Chilling
Loser
July 22, 1984
Ventura County Fairgrounds

...and what about the last guitar riff into the post solo chorus... tears in your eyes kind of stuff. This whole show is one of the best of the 1st 1/2 of the 80's and certainly underrated. Check it out start to finish.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
May 8, 1977
Barton Hall - Cornell University

While I agree that May '77 was a very high point for the band, I think the early versions of Fire are uninspired, largely due to Keith's completely lathargic piano work. This medley did not take off till the 80's with Brent, and I would argue the same for most tunes from Terrapin and Shakedown. The band as whole was better in the '70s than the '80s and onward, but Brent was far and away their best keyboard player. Show me a version of any song (he said with much bravado) and I'll show you a version in which Brent plays it better.
headyversion loves the dead but is in no way affiliated with The Grateful Dead or affiliated enterprises. find out more >:) >:)