headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

43
Estimated Prophet
April 19, 1982
Baltimore Civic Center

From the famous "ravenspace" show; the only version in which the main theme is reprised+lots of Bob yelling
64
Ship of Fools
May 9, 1977
War Memorial

Perfection. The "comes a time" for this show gets all the attention but this SOF is just as grand
64
Uncle John's Band
Oct. 12, 1984
Augusta Civic Center

Part of a 2nd set for the ages; flows in & out of PITB teases & then reprises into killer Dew
20
Terrapin Station
Dec. 31, 1987
Oakland Coliseum Arena

Hold on tight!
51
Bertha
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

Sweet bass drop-ins by Phil on intro; extended Garcia solos in bridge jam; very intense and fun
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Comments

She Belongs To Me
Sept. 15, 1985
Devore Field

With all due respect to the Dick's Picks version currently ranked above this one, THIS is the most beautiful version of the classic Dylan tune the boys ever performed. Jerry's middle solo is like a drifting cloud you can't stop staring at. His vocal delivery here is stronger than 11/1 and the final solo digs deeper. I'd like to see this one in the #1 slot.
The Mighty Quinn (Quinn The Eskimo)
Sept. 19, 1990
Madison Square Garden

Bestest of the best right here. Jerry belts out the vocals, nails all the lyrics. Confident, chunky Phil-led backbeat...and tons o' fun.
Gimme Some Lovin'
June 15, 1985
Greek Theater

J_B is right on. I don't think they ever performed this song perfectly, but the transition from Wheel>Gimme Some is absolutely sublime, perhaps even the most underrated transition the band ever performed. Brilliant. Take a half point off for Bobby's out of tune falsetto screeching at the end (which is very much on purpose and not meant to be taken seriously), but even so this one is deserving of a far higher ranking than it has right now.
It's All Over Now Baby Blue
Oct. 13, 1994
Madison Square Garden

I was a doubter too, but no longer, Best/most surprising thing about this version is that Jerry's voice doesn't sound like a frog getting pureed in a blender, as most anything post 1991 does. It's not quite the level of 10/10/82 (my all time favorite) but an upper echelon version for certain.
Mississippi Halfstep Uptown Toodeloo
Dec. 11, 1972
Winterland Arena

Really impressed with this. Most early versions have me saying "meh" but this one has some extra Jerry guitar work and a lovely rolling gait to it. Nice recommend.
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