headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

41
Sugar Magnolia
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

Best ever. No fooling. Don't miss Mickey and Billy dueling each other at the frenzied end jam before heading into SSDD. Whole version insane!
80
Jack Straw
Oct. 20, 1984
Carrier Dome, Syracuse U

Crazy hard driving insanisty to end the first set. One of those jam segments that builds and builds and KABOOMS into final verse. Phil fans: a must
15
Stella Blue
April 19, 1982
Baltimore Civic Center

Sweet & melty....gorgeous harmonies from Brent.
88
Sugaree
Oct. 16, 1977
Louisiana State U

1977 was a helluva year for this song. I have no quarrel w/ 5/5, 5/19, or 5/21, but I think this one beats 'em all by a nose!
53
St. Stephen
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

With all due rfespect to Barton Hall & others, this is the best version out there (IMO). Bluesy, rockin', jammin', just exactly perfect
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Comments

Bird Song
Oct. 17, 1983
Olympic Center

This has a sparkling jam segment that builds and peaks & before going back into the final verse settles into a mellow-spacey mini jam reminiscent of the gentle space touches of 6/22/73. Overlooked version as cgarces said b/c of the Sugaree from the same show. Should stand on its own merits tho'.
Alligator
June 6, 1970
Fillmore West

Exactly what ERA said--this should be labeled Kitchen Sink jam for everything it's got going on. I also just submitted this one under "Darkness Jam" which it definitely has, but that's just one amazing nugget among many. I'd put this jam segment up against any they did in any era--it's that good. Top 5 Jam segment all time at the very least.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Nov. 2, 1977
Field House - Seneca College

@cgarces this one's growing on me even more now that DaP 12 is out...sound quality is stellar. I don't mind the shortness of the "Fire"...sometimes Fires go on a bit long for my taste (unless they are of an elite category & then I'm all for stretching out as long as possible!) The Candyman, Ramble, and much more from this show are really special.
Big River
Nov. 2, 1977
Field House - Seneca College

Ohhhhhh yes. Take a listen to the new DaP 12 and you'll bump this toot sweet.
Werewolves of London
July 8, 1978
Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Writing this on Halloween w/a nod to the version they were all more "into" live than any other. Love Donna's call and response w/Jerry on the final verse w/the werewolf drinking a pina colada at Trader Vic's. Priceless.
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