headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+23519


Submissions

25
Althea
May 6, 1980
Rec Hall, Penn State U

Recent Road Trips release is a perfecto: Outstanding vocals from Jerry and a jam after the lyrics that grooves and rocks super-hard. 5-star version!
45
Deep Elem Blues
May 2, 1970
Harpur College

Jerry's voice just exactly bluesy perfect...groovy & slow acoustic cadence & the boys harmonizing sweetly on the chrouses. Outstanding early version
28
Box of Rain
March 20, 1986
Hampton Coliseum

A+ for the crowd alone. Are there better ones? Of course. But I was there & the ecstacy after 14 years of no Box makes this version legendary.
13
Mississippi Halfstep Uptown Toodeloo
Sept. 18, 1990
Madison Square Garden

Astonishingly strong Jerry vocals, especially given the year, and some of the prettiest Hornsby-led fills make this one a real great sleeper pick.
35
Promised Land
Sept. 18, 1990
Madison Square Garden

New #1 version--all time best. This is a stretched-out jam-fest for a song usually given the quick-off. Killer fills from Hornsby. MUST HEAR!
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Comments

Playin' In The Band
May 13, 1978
The Spectrum

Maybe it's because '78 is not known as a stand-out year for this tune, but just two votes w/mine added is puzzling! If you bypass this version--and show in general--you're missing out on a sleeper gem. Jerry does some "out of left field" riffing near the homestretch of this nicely stretched out jazz offering...w/some fittingly edgy attitude thrown in given the venue. Worth a listen or 2.
Let It Grow
May 1, 1981
Hampton Coliseum

^^^^ Much obliged
Let It Grow
May 1, 1981
Hampton Coliseum

What is everyone's favorite version of this show for best audio quality? (I usually go w/Jim Wise AUD but if there's something newer that sounds even better lemme know)
Loose Lucy
Sept. 21, 1974
Palais Des Sports

yeah not sure why this one doesn't get more love...halfway between the brisk readings of this period and the slower funk grease versions--w/an edge to the speedier side but also in control & w/some nice & boppy lines & Jer clearly having fun...he even (mostly) gets the words right. Better chorus background vox from donna than in many other versions from this time
The Other One
Feb. 23, 1974
Winterland Arena

There's the ubiquitous '74 style dissonant space jam section, which to me is nowhere near the highlight, but there's also the sly reading of the prototype slipknot jam and beyond that an outstanding exploration over all sorts of jazz-infused musical landscapes. The rejoin to the main theme and verse gets intense and hard rock ensues but not at the expense of tone or rhythmic force. Excellent Other One gets my +1
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