headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

grendel

Books and Music

+24543


Submissions

4
Ramble On Rose
Dec. 30, 1977
Winterland Arena

Faster than usual tempo with just a brilliant Jerry bridge jam and no missed lyrics make this one a not-to-be-missed version.
14
The Other One
May 18, 1977
Fox Theatre

Not sure why everyone ignores '77 versions, but you're missing out if you haven't heard this one. Power packed Jerry-led fury.
4
Spanish Jam
May 21, 1995
Sam Boyd Silver Bowl

In the band's worst year they somehow came up with a really short but spot-on SJ that emerges nicely out of space. Ignore the date-check out the tune.
4
It Must Have Been The Roses
March 13, 1981
Utica Coliseum

Seek out the SBD (unknown lineage) then bask in what's possibly the best-sung, most heartfelt & lovely "Roses" ever.
54
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
May 11, 1977
St. Paul Civic Center Arena

It's criminal that this hasn't made the list yet. Like super-smooth '77 versions? You MUST hear this.

Comments

Cassidy
July 3, 1978
St. Paul Civic Center Arena

Yes! (Turns out, though, that they were intentionally forgetting to sing at the end on a bunch of '78 versions (see 4/24/78 and 5/14/78 as two other examples that, like this one, are excellent nonetheless.)
Bertha
May 5, 1978
Thompson Arena - Dartmouth College

Love the slower, groovier tempo...reminiscent (though not rising to the same level of headiness) as 10/29/77...but very good nonetheless,,,this whole show gets overlooked for some reason. Check out the Miller SBD and most certainly the "Eyes" from this show,
Stir It Up
March 21, 1991
Capital Centre

^^^^You're 100% right. I was just playing this one the other day and marveling at how good it is. I was at the Hampton show when they broke it out in the 80s and it was a blast for the novelty of it but this version tears that one to shreds. They really work the theme here, taking the time to let it wind up and develop and then when they get into the meat of the jam they just give it the perfect tempo/reggae feel treatment and it shines. A way underappreciated gem that deserves a whole lot more votes, especially given how few versions there are. This needs to get into double digits or we're guilty of ignoring an inspired reading of a tune that was a real and rare treat.
It Must Have Been The Roses
Oct. 12, 1983
Madison Square Garden

There's a lot from this show that gets overlooked. (The Cassidy most egregiously. Far better than many higher on the list), But this Roses deserves some love too.
Cosmic Charlie
July 16, 1976
Orpheum Theatre

The more I listen the more I love it. Quiet in all the right parts; mellow but deep and confident reading. One of Donna's better tunes and one of her finest versions right here. Ups.