headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

34
Dupree's Diamond Blues
Nov. 6, 1977
Broome County Arena

Outstanding version with a nice Jerry-led jam early in the tune, after the first verse.
8
Eyes Of The World
Sept. 15, 1978
Sphinx Theatre

Almost criminal this isn't here yet. Grab the Egypt '78 CD & hear one of the loveliest "Eyes" ever. Jazzy, intricate, sweet, & inspired!
13
Loser
Oct. 14, 1977
Hofheinz Pavilion

Possibly the most underrated version of all time with an absolute MONSTER jam by Jerry. Must listen!
8
Looks Like Rain
March 24, 1988
Omni Coliseum

Listen closely: I HATE THIS SONG. Always have. So when I say this is killer it means a lot; & fans of this song tell me it's legendary.
18
Row Jimmy
May 3, 1977
The Palladium

After 3/20/77 and 4/12/78 this may be the best RJ ever. Check out the Miller version that fills in a tape-flip gap & revel in more Garcia magic.
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Comments

Mississippi Halfstep Uptown Toodeloo
April 30, 1977
The Palladium

This really is crazy good. I never realized how much until I got the DL version. It's a flawless rendition w/belted Jerry vocals & w/several great heady jams--not QUITE on par w/the splashdowns you get on 11/6/77 but up there w/5/25/77, 5/7/77 and 5/17/77 to name a few other winners. Top 5 all time for sure. Listen and bump it.
Jack Straw
May 7, 1977
Boston Garden

Nice underrated version from the old Gah-den.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
March 31, 1984
Marin County Civic Center

Proves you can still find great Scarlet>Fires even far down on the list. Brent is all over this sleeper version, especially on "Fire", and the whole pairing is a jammed out gem. Get out of the usual suspects comfort zone and into this hidden treasure version.
Eyes Of The World
Nov. 30, 1973
Boston Music Hall

Been re-appreciating DP14 lately and this version of Eyes is THE highlight of the entire 4-disc set, which is saying quite a bit given how good both shows are. Long, flowing, jazzy, liquid-like Eyes. Up there with the very best of '73, and perhaps even the best of them all,
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
March 22, 1990
Copps Coliseum

It's a great version among those that went deep into MIDI territory but it's a non-starter for those of us who couldn't stand that sound. If I wanted to hear the Dead with a flute I'd rather they'd invited Ian Anderson on stage to jam with them. It's just a huge waste of opportunity (in my opinion) to have Jerry shred for a large portion of this great song and have it come out sounding like something a bad synthesizer produced rather than his glorious-sounding guitar. I understand they were trying to "update" their sound for the 90's and I appreciate that, but I think it's an experiment that fell short.
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