headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

5
Ramble On Rose
Oct. 26, 1971
The Palestra, U. of Rochester

One of the earliest live versions ever and boy oh boy is Jerry into it. Belts out the lyrics. Quick tempo & a real joy to hear!
14
Hey Pocky Way
March 28, 1990
Nassau Coliseum

Weird how little folks seem to care at all about this tune. I love it & Brent does the Neville Bros. proud w/this version--as good as it gets.
5
Eyes Of The World
May 5, 1978
Thompson Arena - Dartmouth College

First there were only AUDs available, but now that a sweet CM SBD is up you oughta check out this sweet '78!
18
Bertha
Oct. 22, 1971
Auditorium Theatre

Rippingly good early version with Keith way out front. Jerry and the whole crew rock it hard!
3
Row Jimmy
Oct. 28, 1985
Fox Theater

Great cadence to this one and some cool reverb effects lend a trippy mesmerizing feel to this fine entry from the Fox. Get the CM SBD source.
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Comments

Estimated Prophet
Dec. 26, 1979
Oakland Auditorium

I'll up it just because I agree that the Mosque version shouldn't be above it on the list. But there's more than a few of these kinds of head-scratchers around here...i.e. the #1 Terrapin being from the Swing, the always controversial Barton Hall Scarlet>Fire blowing away all competition (and, far more ridiculous--Copps 1990 firmly in 2nd place), and as for Estimated...why not try 10/29/77 and see why that one is only in the single digits on the vote counter?
Good Lovin'
Dec. 12, 1969
Thelma Theater

Never been a fan of the extended half hour versions w/Pig rapping about stuff...I realize that's blasphemy to some...but I prefer this tight, sweet version w/a cool drum break followed by a rippin good jam and then they're done. Just right, and Pig is spot on leading up to it all.
Dire Wolf
Dec. 12, 1969
Thelma Theater

Weird is exactly the right word, but also wonderful. This sounds so different than any DW I've ever heard, probably due to TC's organ but there's also just a super-countrified loping rhythm to this version that's unlike any other...what gets it my Upvote is Jerry's truly gorgeous vocals.
Terrapin Station
May 19, 1977
Fox Theatre

Could go through this show song by song and upvote every one, but yeah, this Terrapin shoulda oughta been here already.
Bird Song
Oct. 2, 1972
Springfield Civic Center

Oh, man. What is this doing mired near the bottom of the list? Listen to Jerry's first foray right after the opening verses. No holds barred here...just off the charts shredding and yet Keith somehow manages to get his keys in edgewise to mellow things out after the frontal assault. Then everyone is in on the action to drive the bus down a winding road of deep jamming excellence. I know there's a lot of great Birdsongs out there and many are well represented high on this list, but here's one that's been inexplicably overlooked and needs to climb the ladder.
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