headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

7
Big River
April 19, 1978
Veterans Memorial Auditorium

Segues perfectly out of MAMU and rolls along beautifully til Jerry goes ballistic on the last solo. Must hear.
5
China Cat Sunflower
April 5, 1969
Avalon Ballroom

Nice early stand alone with a long intro. You can hear the transition from the old intro to the more familiar pickings of later versions.
5
Darkness Jam
Nov. 21, 1973
Denver Coliseum

Not really a darkness jam but more of a dark star jam than what it's listed as (PITB) leads into Wharf Rat & is beyond beautiful.
8
Wang Dang Doodle
Oct. 22, 1983
Carrier Dome, Syracuse U

The boys really "throw a mess" on this one, making the carrier dome sound like a down and dirty old time saloon. Slinky sick stuff
2
Row Jimmy
April 18, 1987
Irvine Meadows

Check out Jerry's "giddy-up" riffs in the final "Row" choruses!
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Comments

He Was A Friend of Mine
Dec. 12, 1969
Thelma Theater

Nicely sung, with feeling. Short and sweet is right. Featured on the about to be released Dave's Picks vol. 10.
Eyes Of The World
June 4, 1977
The Forum

No SBD is no excuse for this kick-ass version being so buried down the list. There are 3 AUD versions available on the archive and the one curiously enough that is NOT labeled FOB sounds best to my ears and is more than adequate for hearing what is just another astonishing 1977 version of this beauty. Just take the 10 or so minutes to listen to this and tell me it shouldn't be higher on the ladder.
I Know You Rider
May 2, 1970
Harpur College

Much as I love the well done electric pairings with China Cat this is more like the traditional way the song was meant to be heard. Reminds me of some of the great acoustic versions Hot Tuna often performed. It's nice to be reminded of how sweet the early Dead could sound when doing their mellow unplugged thing!
Here Comes Sunshine
Dec. 6, 1973
Public Hall

Grooved to this one again today and while 2/23/74 still gets my vote as #1 this version is right on its heels. The jam section before the final verse is so improvisational and the inspiration flows in every direction. Bobby's rhythm riffs compliment Jerry so beautifully in spots...just stunning. Yes, the tape patch at the end is a buzz kill, but it's better than not having anything at all! Imagine if the tape simply cut out before the final ending chorus...and luckily it's only that final bit, just about 15 seconds or so. So worth it for what comes before.
Don't Need Love
Oct. 12, 1984
Augusta Civic Center

Gets lost amid the brilliance of one of the truly greatest 2d sets ever performed (the odyssey of UJB-space-PITB-space-Dew, etc.) but should not be overlooked. Brent's vocals are bluesy and impassioned and he sweeps awesome flourishes on the keys as well. Best version I've ever heard.
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