headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

34
Dupree's Diamond Blues
Nov. 6, 1977
Broome County Arena

Outstanding version with a nice Jerry-led jam early in the tune, after the first verse.
8
Eyes Of The World
Sept. 15, 1978
Sphinx Theatre

Almost criminal this isn't here yet. Grab the Egypt '78 CD & hear one of the loveliest "Eyes" ever. Jazzy, intricate, sweet, & inspired!
13
Loser
Oct. 14, 1977
Hofheinz Pavilion

Possibly the most underrated version of all time with an absolute MONSTER jam by Jerry. Must listen!
8
Looks Like Rain
March 24, 1988
Omni Coliseum

Listen closely: I HATE THIS SONG. Always have. So when I say this is killer it means a lot; & fans of this song tell me it's legendary.
18
Row Jimmy
May 3, 1977
The Palladium

After 3/20/77 and 4/12/78 this may be the best RJ ever. Check out the Miller version that fills in a tape-flip gap & revel in more Garcia magic.
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Comments

Lazy Lightnin' -> Supplication
May 12, 1980
Boston Garden

Yes, this whole show is amazing and underrated. The Caution Jam out of He's Gone is a monster! Agree with you that this LL>Supp combo tops Go To Nassau, which is hard to do.
Eyes Of The World
May 5, 1978
Thompson Arena - Dartmouth College

Did I forget to mention the beautiful, super-lengthy intro that has Jerry playing some of the jazziest Eyes notes ever? I did? The rest is pretty damn impressive, too. Hey, I can't vote for my own entry, but c'mon, folks....2 votes? It's May '78. Give it a listen.
Eyes Of The World
April 12, 1978
Cameron Indoor Stadium

On a quest to bump up every sadly underrated version of this song on the Big Board. Starting here.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
May 7, 1978
Field House - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Back to give this one some more love. The vocal coda in last verse of Fire may be the very best they ever did. Everyone's into it and singing in rounds and it's fantastic. Then Jerry shreds out the last instrumental bit before the Scarlet return. This whole version Scarlet to Fire is phenomenal. May be the best of '78 or at least right up there with the beasts of April.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
April 23, 1977
Springfield Civic Center

Another version I've listened to forever but took for granted in voting for, but recent re-listening has given me a new appreciation. Super energized "Scarlet" (check out Jerry growling out "aint nothin wrong with the way she moves" line) & the sweet transition features Donna gently cooing, not caterwauling, into a mind meld Fire segue and then Jerry really does some magic from intro on out. Take off half a point for flubbing the last verse, but it's not egregious and he does that more often than not anyway. Definitely could be higher on this list.
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