headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

grendel

Books and Music

+24543


Submissions

15
It Must Have Been The Roses
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

Almost every song from this show could be nominated for a "best ever." This heartfelt "Roses" is no exception.
11
Aiko Aiko
Dec. 31, 1987
Oakland Coliseum Arena

With the Neville Bros. Jerry gets his Big Easy on.
17
Promised Land
May 25, 1977
The Mosque

Perfection to end the first set of one of the truly great shows ever. Keith, Bobby, Jerry--the whole crew is in the pocket and rocking it hard.
15
Promised Land
April 1, 1980
Capitol Theatre

Both the best and worst version ever. Why? April Fool's gag: Bobby - keys, Brent & Jerry -drums, Billy - bass - Mickey -guitar Phil-vocals
75
Big River
May 9, 1977
War Memorial

They just could do no wrong at this show, Hidden among all the other gems is this monster River. Big solo work by Jerry; nice fills by Keith.

Comments

Dark Star
Sept. 24, 1972
Palace Theatre

Right back atcha cgarces!
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
Oct. 1, 1994
Boston Garden

Stunned by how good this version is, especially the Franklin's, which really cooks and never meanders like many much longer versions...the jams are focused and energetic and Garcia delivers the vocals really well with no missed lyrics. Great percussion fills also into and out of Slipknot. I'm not impressed by much in '94 but this show delivers consistently (great Althea as well). This needs some ups.
Dark Star
Sept. 24, 1972
Palace Theatre

I don't know what to do about this version, it's really got me perplexed. On first blush it would seem to be the kind of Star I despise--heavy on the dissonance--in fact, the lion's share of the jam is a mad frenzy of aggressive Garcia-led fury with no time for any "beautiful jam", "MLB" or "feelin' Groovy" anything emerging from the chaos. It's relentless, it's angry, and yet it's also mesmerizing in its own way. There's a propulsive feel to this one. Even though it favors the darker side of the star than the light, it never veers off into isolated weirdness or aimless Phil bass soloing which has ruined (IMO) many fine versions from this and the next two years worth of Dark Stars. Everything moves forward in this version...I suppose the best analogy is that it's like a musical shark that has to keep driving forward or it'll die...and in fact it ends up merging into one of the finest China>Riders ever, so it never actually ever comes to rest. I suppose it's the kind of version I really have to be in a certain mood to listen to...and it does demand your attention. No casual listening or background music here. This DS will NOT be ignored, and I'll bump it here, even though it'll never be a warm and fuzzy "favorite" for me.
Althea
Oct. 1, 1994
Boston Garden

I'm sold. Some real nice vocal delivery on this one, especially given the year. Great outro jams, nice brisk tempo while still hitting all his spots, and Jer even has a bit of fun on the "little sympathy" line. He's feelin' it on this one.
Cold Rain and Snow
April 15, 1970
Winterland Arena

Garcia is really belting out the vocals on this one and it's got a bit of a longer jam break than many versions of this era. +1!