headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

52
Dark Star
Dec. 31, 1978
Winterland Arena

Farewell to Winterland; Not 40 mins. long ; no break down into feedback nonsense. Just sweet jazzy jamming; Just exactly perfect send off.
10
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Sept. 25, 1981
Stabler Arena

Transition jam weaves into spaces most fail to go; touch-down into Fire is GOLD. Jerry flubs first line in Fire-after that: 1 of the BEST ever!
19
He's Gone
Sept. 26, 1972
Stanley Theatre

Perfect, self-contained, blues-infused, stellar vocals, 14+ minutes of bliss. Extra fun: Check out the "Birdsong" riff about 10 secs. into the intro
36
Dark Star
Sept. 16, 1972
Boston Music Hall

Amazed this isn't here yet Gorgeous, melodic, jazz-infused, mellow, trippy, spacey into hard ripping Jerry riffs; melts into Brokedown Palace. Sublime
48
Cold Rain and Snow
Oct. 12, 1984
Augusta Civic Center

Kicks off with authority a 2d set every DeadHead needs to hear. Perfect bookend to Jerry's scorching Dew. They say it was cold&rainy that nite in ME.
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Comments

Bird Song
Sept. 6, 1991
Richfield Coliseum

Spectacular jam section, as in truly amazing and dramatic...not even the MIDI can detract from it...upping it on the basis of that (being the lion's share of the song) but I also have to note that Jerry's vocals are horrendous here. You kind of have to ignore the fact that he can't hit a single note and it's objectively awful. That said, the jam is what this version is about and it's all that's advertised here and more.
The Music Never Stopped
Dec. 27, 1978
Golden Hall, Community Concourse

Blazing end coda, honestly one of the best I've ever heard. Before Jerry hits the second turn on a dime entry into the shift for the finale finale he and the rest of the band are doing a jam that sounds unique compared with almost any other rendition I can think of. Too bad there's not a perfect board but as stated above the Darst SBD does a pretty good job. Oughta be higher, really.
Row Jimmy
May 20, 1973
U.C.

Love the slightly more uptempo early versions (nothing tops 2/28/73 in that regard) along with a real country twang, both evident in this version. The jamming in between verses can't rival the best of '77-'78 but it's still quite sweet and Jerry sings this one nicely. Should get some love.
Big River
Nov. 25, 1979
Pauly Pavillion

Have a theory that this song was played so often people forget how damn great its played virtually every time. But even with a great selection of eras to choose from this '79 (from a generally overlooked show) shines brightly. Check out the nice, relaxed, lower register intro, followed by top notch individual jam sections (half a point off for Brent's tinkly Fisher Price keys, but he plays his section beautifully) & Garcia just does his thing in the final jam slot, taking no prisoners. Easy +1
Uncle John's Band
May 19, 1977
Fox Theatre

outstanding in every conceivable way, from the "start at the end" intro to the meat of the jam and an outro that melts flawlessly into a lovely China Doll, this is a version that can get overlooked for almost being hidden amid this exquisite second set, but deserves to be in the top 5 if not top 3 all time.
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