headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

15
It Must Have Been The Roses
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

Almost every song from this show could be nominated for a "best ever." This heartfelt "Roses" is no exception.
11
Aiko Aiko
Dec. 31, 1987
Oakland Coliseum Arena

With the Neville Bros. Jerry gets his Big Easy on.
17
Promised Land
May 25, 1977
The Mosque

Perfection to end the first set of one of the truly great shows ever. Keith, Bobby, Jerry--the whole crew is in the pocket and rocking it hard.
15
Promised Land
April 1, 1980
Capitol Theatre

Both the best and worst version ever. Why? April Fool's gag: Bobby - keys, Brent & Jerry -drums, Billy - bass - Mickey -guitar Phil-vocals
75
Big River
May 9, 1977
War Memorial

They just could do no wrong at this show, Hidden among all the other gems is this monster River. Big solo work by Jerry; nice fills by Keith.
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Comments

Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
Aug. 6, 1982
St. Paul Civic Center

For true, and Brent is doing those sweeping flourishes for a great, peppy '82. Source provided is also one of the better AUDs I've heard from this year. This GDTRFB is indeed a smoker that's gone unnoticed til now and could use some bump.
Dark Star
Feb. 5, 1969
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium

Excellent go-to when you want a faster paced, compact jam vehicle for Garcia to show off his signature late 60's grunge riffs. A version that deserves more attention and probably doesn't get it for its shorter length, but really packs a great punch and flows beautifully as well. Great recommend.
Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
July 12, 1989
RFK Stadium

Haven't heard a better one, mostly because Phil doesn't try to overextend himself vocally and setttles into a nice Dylan-esque range to deliver a great reading.
Touch of Grey
July 12, 1989
RFK Stadium

Can really only hope the new box set exposure shoots this one up the ladder. Totally clean version, energetic Garcia vocals and the band isn't missing a beat. This is far better than many others sitting above it right now (some, for reasons of sentiment and context like 12-15-86, which is fine), but others for no objective reason at all other than poor aud recordings only available prior to the official release. But listen to the new cd any way you can and then come back and get this one higher on the big board, please. (Whole 1st set from this show is magnificent).
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
June 22, 1974
Jai-Alai Fronton

Very impressed with this more relaxed, gently wavy version with some really pretty passages not normally seen in ChinaRiders of '74. Check out the jam heading into the third verse. A little gem of laid back jazz that doesn't miss a beat but really flows along, and the transition jam follows the same pattern. If most great '74 versions are blazing fastballs, this one's like a perfect knuckle curve. Upping it for sure.
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