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.
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Comments

Black Peter
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

Great contrast between the soft and the loud: from very tender verses to the climax which is superb. For my money this version is to BP what Cornell is to Dew.
Dark Star
Oct. 18, 1972
Fox Theater

Yes, that Phil Jam which grows into a version of the theme they'd later use for China/Riders is excellent. And a very nonstandard setlist sequence for the year, Playin> DS> Dew> Playin.
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
June 14, 1991
RFK Stadium

A version where all seven band members really contribute: there's a part in Franklin's where Jerry and Bruce lock into a pattern which is just blissful.
Dancin' in the Streets
May 2, 1970
Harpur College

The most intense version of the "tighten-up" breakdown they used to do in the middle. And Bobby's really on top of his game; his effortless return to the vocals after the jam give me chills each time I hear it.
Mason's Children
Feb. 14, 1970
Fillmore East

Not terribly exploratory (in fact quite short), but perfectly played, and an unthinkably good bridge between some of the best versions of NFA and Caution.
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