headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

5
Ramble On Rose
Oct. 26, 1971
The Palestra, U. of Rochester

One of the earliest live versions ever and boy oh boy is Jerry into it. Belts out the lyrics. Quick tempo & a real joy to hear!
14
Hey Pocky Way
March 28, 1990
Nassau Coliseum

Weird how little folks seem to care at all about this tune. I love it & Brent does the Neville Bros. proud w/this version--as good as it gets.
5
Eyes Of The World
May 5, 1978
Thompson Arena - Dartmouth College

First there were only AUDs available, but now that a sweet CM SBD is up you oughta check out this sweet '78!
18
Bertha
Oct. 22, 1971
Auditorium Theatre

Rippingly good early version with Keith way out front. Jerry and the whole crew rock it hard!
3
Row Jimmy
Oct. 28, 1985
Fox Theater

Great cadence to this one and some cool reverb effects lend a trippy mesmerizing feel to this fine entry from the Fox. Get the CM SBD source.
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Comments

Ship of Fools
Sept. 18, 1974
Parc des Expositions

For me, 5/9/77 is and always will be best ever, but dang if this one isn't nipping on its heels. Sung so beautifully by Jerry from what I'm starting to think now is THE best show of 1974. Everything is just so spot-on, and this version of Ship contains a brief but note-perfect Jerry solo and some delicate Keith organ fills that make it a tad different than other versions. Spectacular.
Uncle John's Band
Sept. 18, 1974
Parc des Expositions

Absolutely, NoNoYolker....this show is flooring me top to bottom. What a great UJB. Maybe take a 1/4 point off for the warbly vocals, but that's true of any '74 version. Still, the instrumental sections are gold and it's as sweet as it gets for a self-contained version that doesn't flow into anything else. In fact, in that category, it's hands down #1.
Black Throated Wind
Sept. 18, 1974
Parc des Expositions

Really strong version with a bit of a peppier tempo than most and more emotionally charged, especially toward the end. Bobby commits and delivers.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Sept. 24, 1972
Palace Theatre

@merryjerry Turns out they did have the complete IKYR in the vault so now this incredible version can be heard in all its glory and it truly is spectacular--not just because it melts into being from a crazy Dark Star....you can actually hear an "almost" moment where it sounds like they're about to head into the MLB/Feelin'Groovy jams that they would begin playing in '73 and carry throughout '74, but instead they just jam some more and intensify what they're already doing before heading flawlessly into Rider. This is easily making my Top 10 all time China>Rider list. Up it!
Viola Lee Blues
Nov. 10, 1967
Shrine Auditorium

Maybe a new number 1 for me. Shorter than some of the marathon versions in '68 but more focused for it, tighter all around, but losing none of the furious jamming of those big '68's. Sung really well by all, too.
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