headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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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.
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Comments

Here Comes Sunshine
Dec. 19, 1973
Curtis Hixon Convention Hall

I'd also make the case for 2/15/73 over this one, although I couldn't call this one "bad." But it certainly is NOT anywhere near as good as 2/23/74, which I stand by as the greatest ever. The DP audio quality for this show is not great, either, which i think hurts it a bit as well...but there are better versions sound issues notwithstanding.
Terrapin Station
Sept. 2, 1979
Augusta Civic Center

Kinder and gentler yes, but also brilliant. Jerry sings this perhaps better than any Terrapin in history. The mid-jam section is gorgeous and flowing and beautiful and the choruses into "Terrapin" feature perfect backing harmonies from Brent and Bobby. There is an incredible SBD copy of this show that highlights everything great about this version AND if that wasn't enough it actually goes into an amazing Let It Grow, which is a real rarity. This version deserves to be catapulted into top range territory, I kid you not. Please give it a listen and boost it up the ladder here. It's already in my personal Top 10 all time, it's THAT good.
Wharf Rat
Feb. 18, 1971
Capitol Theater

This one and the first Terrapin from 2/26/77 are both where they are based on the novelty of being first. If you heard this version of Wharf Rat having no knowledge of its date of origin you couldn't possibly put it in a top 10 category, much less #1. As cgarces points out, you can pick a random Rat from virtually any 1977 show and have it blow the doors off this version. (Try 10/7/77 just for kicks.)
Ship of Fools
July 16, 1990
Rich Stadium

Really impressed with this. While it won't do anything to displace my fave all time of 5/9/77 it is worthy of a top 5 version candidate and hands down best of the 90's. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. This is also exhibit A for why there are certain songs only Jerry could pull of vocally, no offense to the fine efforts in these last Santa Clara/Chicago shows of 2015. But like Morning Dew, Ship of Fools NEEDS Jerry's voice to be Ship of Fools, and he's in fine form here.
Dark Star
Sept. 10, 1974
Alexandra Palace

There's a very pretty section here at around the 15, 16-minute mark that is unlike any other version I've heard. Reminds me a little of Earl Klugh doing "So Many Stars"...it's quiet and lovely and not at all dissonant...just before they launch into the verse. This whole version is on the mellow side and I really like it for that. It doesn't reach any major peaks or rev into any known themes such as Tighten Up Jam but in its own elegant way, this Dark Star stands out and gets my upvote.
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