headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+24543


Submissions

4
Ramble On Rose
Dec. 30, 1977
Winterland Arena

Faster than usual tempo with just a brilliant Jerry bridge jam and no missed lyrics make this one a not-to-be-missed version.
14
The Other One
May 18, 1977
Fox Theatre

Not sure why everyone ignores '77 versions, but you're missing out if you haven't heard this one. Power packed Jerry-led fury.
4
Spanish Jam
May 21, 1995
Sam Boyd Silver Bowl

In the band's worst year they somehow came up with a really short but spot-on SJ that emerges nicely out of space. Ignore the date-check out the tune.
4
It Must Have Been The Roses
March 13, 1981
Utica Coliseum

Seek out the SBD (unknown lineage) then bask in what's possibly the best-sung, most heartfelt & lovely "Roses" ever.
54
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
May 11, 1977
St. Paul Civic Center Arena

It's criminal that this hasn't made the list yet. Like super-smooth '77 versions? You MUST hear this.
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Comments

Bertha
Nov. 14, 1971
Texas Christian University

I did. I agree. Locked in year for this tune and this is one of the best.
New Minglewood Blues
May 8, 1977
Barton Hall - Cornell University

Top 5 '77 is crazy hard to do (limiting to 5 I mean) My list would be nearly identical to cgarces but 10/29/77 is at the top of my list for that year and any year.
New Minglewood Blues
May 8, 1977
Barton Hall - Cornell University

My 2 pennies on Cornell: it is a truly great and epic show because of the big ticket songs that it's best known for: ScarletFire, Stephen/NFA and Dew. All as good as advertised even if none of them are in my mind "best evers". What drives me bonkers about Cornell is what you've pointed out here: that so many smaller tunes are automatically given prime marks just because they're in this show. Brown Eyed Women is another perfect example along with this NMB. It's fine but there are at least a dozen others way better that are lower on the list. Some people just see Cornell and instantly vault every song to the forefront when objectively they're not worthy.
Pretty Peggy O
Nov. 13, 1978
Music Hall

Brilliant version I ignored for lack of SBD but source provided is a fantastic AUD...very warm recording and the audience reaction to Jerry's solo says it all. Nice Stagger Lee from this show...generally excellent first set.
Bertha
Feb. 24, 1974
Winterland Arena

Great uptempo version with a little extra "till it go down" Jerry vocal and a sweet bridge jam. No hesitation calling this the best of '74.
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