headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+24543


Submissions

37
Promised Land
Sept. 18, 1990
Madison Square Garden

New #1 version--all time best. This is a stretched-out jam-fest for a song usually given the quick-off. Killer fills from Hornsby. MUST HEAR!
6
Sugar Magnolia
Sept. 25, 1981
Stabler Arena

Incredible Sugary-Mag Club sandwich: Sugar>BlackPeter>Round&Round>SSDD. Energy off the charts, and the SSDD starts spot-on the downbeat from R&R
13
Big River
July 31, 1974
Dillon Stadium

Scorcher start to finish. Keith comes up big, and Jerry goes ballistic in the final instrumental bridge. Check it out on Dave's Pix Vol. 2
45
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
June 19, 1976
Capitol Theatre

Just when you think you've heard 'em all...Peppy&Zippy yet tight HELP >groovy-spacedout Slip>killer jumping-Jerry-led Franklins. Must Hear!
44
Estimated Prophet
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

From the show that never stops giving--a spacey-jazzy-goeey-Wah-Wah-chunk-fest-of-Jerry.
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Comments

Loser
June 21, 1980
West High Auditorium

Find the Miller SBD and check this one out. The only other 80s version that comes close is Ventura '84 in terms of intensity of bridge jam and bluesy Garcia vocals. Silly for this version to be anywhere under 10 votes.
Playin' In The Band
Nov. 1, 1979
Nassau Coliseum

Finding out that this show is so much richer in content than just the longest-ever Scarlet>Fire it's known for. This Playin' is a great sleeper pick...great rhythm devils work and a long, gooey space exploration. +1
Jack Straw
Nov. 1, 1979
Nassau Coliseum

Simply a victim of too many other great versions to choose from, but tune in to this one and you'll feel compelled to get it higher on the ladder. Great '79 stuff start to finish.
Row Jimmy
March 20, 1977
Winterland Arena

Whatever the reason, I would drop this firmly into a category called Greatest Garcia Solos Ever, slap a Top 3 onto it, and not look back. It's beyond belief beautiful.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
May 7, 1984
Silva Hall, Hult Center

No, Bobby, they're going to hear ONE MORE TIME how much I wish I was a headlight on a northbound train. -Jerry
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