headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

grendel

Books and Music

+24543


Submissions

10
Black Peter
Sept. 25, 1981
Stabler Arena

After 10/29/77 this should be your go-to BP. Emotion oozes and Jer shreds the outro.
11
Beat it on Down The Line
March 22, 1990
Copps Coliseum

A breezy bouncin' bubbly Bobby Beat it...best of the 90's.
8
El Paso
March 27, 1972
Academy of Music

Jerry in serious bluegrass mode. Most country-westernized version ever. At the end Phil sez "Thanks, Texans" even tho' they're in NYC. Awesome version
23
Let It Grow
Sept. 19, 1990
Madison Square Garden

Hornsby gets on board in a big way & Jerry jazzes up the jam sections. Weir slashes away & sings w/passion. Strong candidate for Best of the 90's.
4
Desolation Row
April 17, 1987
Irvine Meadows

This song was only as good as Bobby was committed to it, and on this night he was 100% in Dylan-idoling mode. Gorgeous rendeition, lovingly sung.
show more submissions

Comments

Dark Star
April 8, 1971
Boston Music Hall

I love Dark Stars like this. Straight shot jam with no deviation into "silly space" feedback noise and some fine ideas throughout. There are a couple of off notes but they're barely noticeable in the overall scheme, and thanks to Darkstar67 for providing link to the best course for sure of those offered,
When Push Comes to Shove
Dec. 31, 1986
Kaiser Convention Center

Did you know that this song could be good? Like, really, REALLY good? Neither did I until I checked out this version. Killer mid tune solo and Jerry nails the vox. Let these little baby tigers punch you in the ear if you don't believe!
Sugaree
Dec. 31, 1986
Kaiser Convention Center

Excellent recommendation. Surprised given the year how well put together this is. Jam into last verse as good as advertised and best of all...and REALLY surprising...is Jerry's excellent vox. Ups easy.
Shakedown Street
Sept. 16, 1978
Sphinx Theatre

Delicious disco Dead in the desert. This version is crazy groovy and disco-infused in a good way and while it's lacking the 3rd verse and the coda the jams in between are incredible. (In particular after the 2nd verse, what would be the "middle jam" had they sung the 3rd verse is incredibly funky and turn on a dime tight. These shows never got the respect they deserved.
Cosmic Charlie
June 14, 1976
Beacon Theatre

The ones just above this one (6/19/76 and below ((7/16/76) are my two go-to's. I really think '76 was the best (Marybe only) year for this tune. The early versions feel too raw to me and the song isn't given a chance to really breathe. I like the quieter spacey stretch feel of the 76 versions and Donna actually sounds great.
show more comments
headyversion loves the dead but is in no way affiliated with The Grateful Dead or affiliated enterprises. find out more >:) >:)