headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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LagerandGospel

The Historian

+4152


Submissions

1
Deal
Aug. 16, 1980
Mississippi River Festival

It’s raining but the Grateful Dead are playing Deal as if their life depended on it. The hot electric leads from Garcia set everyone on fire.
9
Bertha
March 29, 1987
The Spectrum

Garcia pierces the ears and sets on fire the sold out Philly Spectrum on HOT post coma East Coast comeback tour. This Bertha is HOTT
7
Passenger
March 5, 1981
Stanley Theater

Weir and band start jamming on Scarlet, but Garcia's guitar is broke, so then Weir launches into Passenger, Garcia shows up half way through. Jazzy!
2
He's Gone
June 10, 1984
Cal Expo

Phil transforms this song with heavy metal machine gun bass playing.He's bounding over the structure of the song, bouncing off the walls.......quality
3
He's Gone
Oct. 1, 1989
Shoreline Amphitheatre

Elves tie up the band and finish the ending chant in this powerful yet overlooked version. The elves sing happily, He's Gone.....over and over

Comments

China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
April 19, 1984
Philadelphia Civic Center

lIstening to Spring 1984 shows and this version leaped out of the speakers and inspired me. From Brent's playful organ intro to the psychedelic transition jam to Jerry scrubbing his guitar in I know You Rider, this is a step above so many...a diamond in the rough.
Uncle John's Band
Feb. 20, 1995
Delta Center

I think when I see someone nominate a song with no comments, especially from 1995, and they do nearly every song from that show, that perhaps their judgment is off. I can't think of one thing regarding this UJB that is considered a "heady version". Nothing personal, just my opinion. Is there something specific about this song from this show you find good? A tell us about it.
Stagger Lee
Oct. 28, 1985
Fox Theater

Stagger Lee isn't played on 10/28/85
Never Trust A Woman
Aug. 28, 1981
Long Beach Arena

What makes this version so good is the unique extended psychedelic jams before and after this often over looked tune. The band is playing very well here.
Greatest Story Ever Told
Feb. 17, 1979
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

Much better than average! this one has Weir growling the song while Phil ferociously keeps the bass pumping and Garcia squealing out leads. Maybe they were happy that this was Keith and Donnas last show?