headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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sylvanriv

90s expert

+1282


Submissions

1
Feel Like A Stranger
March 18, 1994
Rosemont Horizon

Super hot show opener, Jerry is here to PLAY! Speedy licks all over. Possibly the best first set of the year, although totally unknown show.
3
Row Jimmy
March 18, 1992
The Spectrum

The very slow tempo that a lot of first set songs had in 1992 suits this one wonderfully.
1
Bird Song
May 21, 1992
Cal Expo

Probably the most underrated version in the history of Bird Songs. Incredible jazzy jamming from Jerry that peaks extremely hard.
3
Row Jimmy
Feb. 27, 1994
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Stadium

Just exactly perfect. Slow, emotive, and well-played. Jerry's old-man vocals fit this one perfectly.
3
Friend of the Devil
June 6, 1992
Rich Stadium

Strong Jerry solo here.
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Comments

West L.A. Fadeaway
Oct. 14, 1994
Madison Square Garden

Definitely a little rushed, but everything was rushed in fall 94. Very strong playing from Jerry and Vince here. Everyone talks a lot about how the S>F from this show is great, but overall 10/1 is better - I feel like this show has a LOT of great tunes that are just less listened to because the S>F is so epic.
Tennessee Jed
May 21, 1977
Lakeland Civic Center

Good version, honestly only okay outro jam. Didn't take me places. Jerry's mutron is a nice novelty, but I think this is a song that benefited from a strong pianist, and Keith in 1977 certainly wasn't that. Brent's tinkling in the 80s, Vince's plinking in the 90s, or Keith's lovely playing in the early 70s help this relatively boring song head to a higher plane. Overall, this version feels pretty flat.
Days Between
May 29, 1995
Portland Meadows

Jerry doesn’t miss a lyric. Beautiful singing and strong backing from the band, drummers especially. Rather weak outro.
Playin' In The Band
Oct. 12, 1984
Augusta Civic Center

Amazing the way this one careens in and out of space (Bob tried to start it before UJB - Jerry cuts it off).The whole set pivots on the dark and scary space that they go to, and it's like they couldn't fucking wait because the playin' teases start only a few minutes in. Better jammed than many full versions from the 80s.
Playin' In The Band
July 29, 1988
Laguna Seca Recreation Area

Awesome meltdown in the jam. I love the way the reprise surfaces and builds; one of the best playins of the 80s no question. No idea where this came from. Most of 88 is cut and dry stuff, with the exception of the Hampton shows in march.
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