headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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SlowlyTooFades

90s aficionado

+1430


Submissions

4
China Cat Sunflower
June 5, 1969
Fillmore West

Pure psychedelic pop bubbles up over the top and into Sittin on Top.
2
Bird Song
Aug. 3, 1994
Giants Stadium

Yes, the rest of the show is pretty poor, and a good bit of this meanders, but once they dial it in it has O1-like intensity.
5
Terrapin Station
Oct. 19, 1994
Madison Square Garden

Another long jam in the outro. Shades of Rider (a theme at this run), and JG staying on for most of Drums.
4
Eternity
Oct. 17, 1994
Madison Square Garden

Not the most exploratory version, but very tight. BW on acoustic.
5
Playin' In The Band
Jan. 18, 1978
Stockton Civic Auditorium

Weird atypical version where a good bit of the jam is just BW and the drummers, playing themes that sound like song ideas. Worth hearing.

Comments

Truckin'
Dec. 31, 1972
Winterland Arena

Probably my favorite version: Bobby is right on top of the vocals, the band drives it to the climax, then proceed into some very tight improvisation. What follows (O1> Dew) is excellent as well, matching this nicely.
Estimated Prophet
Oct. 26, 1989
Miami Arena

These Miami shows are great, almost (but not quite) up to Hampton. And this is a titanic version of Estimated, powerful where it needs to be, tight where it should be (and often isn't), and just about as exploratory as they come.
Dark Star
Oct. 26, 1989
Miami Arena

Everything you've heard about how weird the second half of this version is is true. Hear it, it you haven't yet. (And the rest of the show is excellent, as is the night before).
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Oct. 14, 1994
Madison Square Garden

The middle part, where JG sounds almost like he wants to go into Rider, is superb; but it's got nothing on the crescendo at the end. Audience gives a minute-long ovation at the end, which you can even hear (clearly & loudly) on the Sbd.
Greatest Story Ever Told
Aug. 27, 1972
Old Renaissance Faire Grounds

I've often said that if I could have only 5 minutes of GD, it would be these.