headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

37
Promised Land
Sept. 18, 1990
Madison Square Garden

New #1 version--all time best. This is a stretched-out jam-fest for a song usually given the quick-off. Killer fills from Hornsby. MUST HEAR!
6
Sugar Magnolia
Sept. 25, 1981
Stabler Arena

Incredible Sugary-Mag Club sandwich: Sugar>BlackPeter>Round&Round>SSDD. Energy off the charts, and the SSDD starts spot-on the downbeat from R&R
13
Big River
July 31, 1974
Dillon Stadium

Scorcher start to finish. Keith comes up big, and Jerry goes ballistic in the final instrumental bridge. Check it out on Dave's Pix Vol. 2
45
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
June 19, 1976
Capitol Theatre

Just when you think you've heard 'em all...Peppy&Zippy yet tight HELP >groovy-spacedout Slip>killer jumping-Jerry-led Franklins. Must Hear!
44
Estimated Prophet
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

From the show that never stops giving--a spacey-jazzy-goeey-Wah-Wah-chunk-fest-of-Jerry.
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Comments

Box of Rain
Nov. 17, 1972
Century II Convention Hall

May be the best live version of a tune that, frankly, wonderful as it is, was almost never performed well on stage. (The studio version remains the standard.) But they nail all the lyrics here and Jerry has some sweet riffs. Phil still can't sing, though.
Wharf Rat
Oct. 14, 1977
Hofheinz Pavilion

This month and year was phenomenal for the Rat.
Uncle John's Band
Nov. 17, 1972
Century II Convention Hall

Since getting DaP11 I've been digging this version big time, and it gets better and better after each spin. It's played at a jaunty, peppy pace--a little moreso than most versions--and is really tight. The vocals are spot-on and the jam section before the final reprise is full of swagger and hot jammy goodness. Deserves to climb the ladder here!
Playin' In The Band
Sept. 21, 1972
The Spectrum

New appreciation for this one after recent multiple listenings. So many great versions from this year, but this one gets my upvote for Keith's contributions in the more mellow and thoughtful passages. This whole show is spectacular.
Eyes Of The World
Nov. 4, 1977
Cotterell Gym - Colgate University

Needs more bump-up. Jerry plays at ludicrous speed and yet it doesn't sound at all sloppy. A unique version for '77 and one that deserves to be in at least double digits on the big board.
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