headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

viewtiful_alan

Houston Head

+1516


Submissions

7
Dancin' in the Streets
Nov. 2, 1969
Family Dog at the Great Highway

A lost masterpiece, now restored on the new Dave's Picks! The once-missing jam is a face-stealer.
3
Not Fade Away
Dec. 17, 1992
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

A searing hot jam with lots of Phil and aggressive work from Weir. Underrated.
4
Hurts Me Too
Aug. 24, 1971
Auditorium Theatre

An uncommonly spirited organ solo from Pigpen augmented by searing leads from Jerry make this one stand out.
4
Let It Grow
Oct. 26, 1980
Radio City Music Hall

What this one lacks in deep exploration, it more than makes up for in exceptionally tight playing and strong vocals. A top-shelf performance from all.
2
Mama Tried
June 16, 1990
Shoreline Amphitheatre

Tight version with a spirited solo from Jerry.

Comments

St. Stephen
Dec. 11, 1969
Thelma Theater

The William Tell portion and the jam that follows are extremely well done. Top-shelf version.
Dark Star
Dec. 11, 1969
Thelma Theater

This one works up quite a head of steam. The jam here replaces the typical spaciness with a heaviness you'd associate more with The Other One or St. Stephen. These Thelma shows have a "thick" sound I've not heard elsewhere, and this Dark Star epitomizes it quite well.
Me and My Uncle
May 14, 1974
Adams Field House, U of Montana

There is so much to love about this version. Bob's vocal choices highlight the narrator's edge and desperation, which Jerry also ably embodies through his leads. Keith is just on fire. The crowd was clearly loving it in the moment, too. Top-shelf MAMU
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
May 12, 1974
University of Nevada

China Cat has some interesting Jerry leads, but the band doesn't really hit full power until Rider, which is a really phenomenal version. I'd upvote Rider, but not China Cat.
Dancin' in the Streets
May 4, 1977
The Palladium

This one deserves to be in the top 10.