headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+24543


Submissions

2
Brown Eyed Women
Aug. 4, 1982
Kiel Auditorium

Fast-picking goodness. Jerry's bridge solo is long and lightning quick and awesome. 1 point off for lyric flub on re-entry, but the rest is gold.
43
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
April 30, 1977
The Palladium

Sick of saying "How can X not be here" yet but C'mon! Get the digital DL series and start bumpin this up! Smooth Scarlet, killer Fire jams. Early gem!
15
Terrapin Station
Nov. 28, 1980
Lakeland Civic Center

From a year not particularly known for great Terrapin, this one proves the exception to the rule. Tight, inventive, soulful.
6
Monkey and the Engineer
Feb. 4, 1970
Family Dog at the Great Highway

Bob sez: "we're gonna play one of your favorites and we certainly hope it's one of ours" b4 this sweet electric version!
19
Sugar Magnolia
Oct. 7, 1977
University of New Mexico

As insanely good as the Wharf Rat that precedes it. How good? Almost matches 10/29/77 in intensity. Final jam section b4 SSDD will boggle your senses!

Comments

Let It Grow
Sept. 11, 1982
West Palm Beach Auditorium

Must agree, especially that this show is seriously under-appreciated. This LIG has that '81-'82 magic to it. Check it and then go right to the Scarlet>Fire. You won't be disappointed.
Deal
July 19, 1989
Alpine Valley Music Theatre

Deserthead is spot on. We don't need to be lectured on the qualities of JGB. And yes, those bands played fine Deals. Some may be "better" than some Dead versions, others are not. And I'll put up the Deal from 5/1/81 against any JGB version ever with no doubts of its superiority. I'm sure there are many others here who have their own favorites for which they'd do the same. This Alpine version is indisputably Heady, regardless of whether there may be a JGB version that can top it. You want to tout the qualities of JGB Deals, Donnie, go right ahead. But the declaration that these top Dead versions on the board here are somehow lacking, even in comparison, is just plain ignorant .
Casey Jones
Aug. 4, 1974
Philadelphia Civic Center

Love the slow, snaky cadence to this, especially for the lyrics. This song was always best when Jerry really nailed the lyrical parts and the windy groovier delivery here allows him to emphasize certain words and phrases. Ton of fun encore rendition from a great DP (31). .
It Must Have Been The Roses
Aug. 5, 1974
Philadelphia Civic Arena

Slightly faster tempo with this one does nothing to diminish the sweeping beauty of both the playing by the whole band and Garcia's terrific vocal reading. Just an excellent A+ version made even better by the fact that it emerges gorgeously from Half Step in one of the most seamless, underrated segues in Dead history, A first set bonus, if you will. Pull out yer DP 31 to hear it again or listen on archive. Either way, needs more climb on the ladder,
Bertha
March 27, 1993
Knickerbocker Arena

I do need to listen to more of this show. Will check out that Peggy O for sure.