headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

grendel

Books and Music

+23519


Submissions

11
Crazy Fingers
April 3, 1990
The Omni

Very strong entry w/no lyrical mistakes & Jerry in fine voice, esp. for the year. Crystal clean sound from '90 spring box set shows how good this is!
14
Brokedown Palace
Sept. 16, 1972
Boston Music Hall

This melts like a dream from a weirdly underrated Dark Star & is sung beautifully by Jerry & played sweetly by all. Give a listen!
6
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
Sept. 20, 1991
Boston Garden

Ok technically it's Help>Slipknot>Fire but c'mon that's pretty cool & even w/out the novelty of the change-up it's a sweet version
10
Take A Step Back
Oct. 31, 1979
Nassau Coliseum

Phil: "Remember, if you step up too close We'll HAVE TO STOP PLAYING. Weir: I would remind you all that Halloween is not a legal holiday"
5
Candyman
Oct. 28, 1977
Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Hall

There's a Betty Board of this one available. And it's gorgeous. What's stopping you?
show more submissions

Comments

Truckin'
April 26, 1983
The Spectrum

Might be the best I’ve heard from this year. Super tight rendition, great vocals (harmony too) and no lyrical botches. They nail the wind up section & Jerry follows with a brief but gritty and confident Nobody’s Fault riff. A+ and easy upvote....hoping it at least goes double digits w the official release
West L.A. Fadeaway
April 26, 1983
The Spectrum

Maybe unfairly comparing this to the gold standards of alpine ‘89 or Copps ‘90 but I find this version pretty weak overall. Jerry seems unsure of the lyrics & while he mostly gets it right he sounds like he’s just barely doing so. Jamming is nowhere near what it would become in later years....nice Brent contributions to give it some funk but not a standout to these ears.
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
April 26, 1983
The Spectrum

Great example of a speedy but superbly played version of the trio, which in this bring back year could often sound tepid or just plain sloppy not to mention littered with butchered lyrics. No worries here & the slipknot is a monster for any era.
It Must Have Been The Roses
April 26, 1983
The Spectrum

Great vocals on an ‘83 version of this beauty ballad? Surprise surprise but it’s true.
Fire On The Mountain
Sept. 16, 1978
Sphinx Theatre

Agree the Egypt shows are unfairly maligned & why I haven’t upvoted this version of Fire, which is one of my most listened to of all time, I have no idea. Spectacular version that also contains one of the best ever segue/intros, freed up from its pairing with Scarlet it starts with a totally different vibe and continues with grand work by Jerry & of course Phil...also leads into a sweet Iko. Overdue plus one here
show more comments
headyversion loves the dead but is in no way affiliated with The Grateful Dead or affiliated enterprises. find out more >:) >:)