headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+23524


Submissions

64
Let It Grow
May 1, 1981
Hampton Coliseum

Lightning quick yet totally on-track riffs from Jerry; intense, powerful version. Weir 100% into it. Segues into killer Deal. Trust me. Must hear.
50
Tennessee Jed
Oct. 10, 1982
Frost Amphitheatre

Perfect wind up, pitch & strike down the middle. I've yet to hear a better one, though I'll try some of the recs here. Til then.....
27
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
June 8, 1977
Winterland Arena

From one of the greatest shows ever, a bring the house down killer. Keith w/perfect piano exc. point!
40
Althea
May 1, 1981
Hampton Coliseum

Perfect groove and massive push from Phil post-lyrics
42
Estimated Prophet
April 19, 1982
Baltimore Civic Center

From the famous "ravenspace" show; the only version in which the main theme is reprised+lots of Bob yelling

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