headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

grendel

Books and Music

+24543


Submissions

5
The Weight
June 7, 1991
Deer Creek Music Center

This is really the best one I've heard--everyobody nails their parts/lyrics...great piano fills on the side (yay, Bruce!). Just exactly, etc.
20
Althea
Sept. 9, 1982
Saenger Performing Arts Center

Incredible. Check out Brent's fills during the epic post-lyrics outro. A must-listen top tier Althea w/bounce, power, & panache!
17
Deal
Feb. 23, 1974
Winterland Arena

Apparently no one is aware that a fellow named Keith played in this band or this version would have 50 votes already. Needs to be heard!
1
Pretty Peggy O
Sept. 4, 1980
Providence Civic Center

Outside of 1977 this may be the best version I've heard. A+ vocals from Jerry, killer mid-solo; slightly faster tempo. Must hear. Gr8 Matrix!
4
Greatest Story Ever Told
Oct. 11, 1989
Meadowlands Arena

Bob's lyric phrasing on this version is unique. He sings it in a way so different than any I've heard before & it's inventive & super-fun. Must hear!

Comments

I Need A Miracle
Oct. 21, 1978
Winterland Arena

Make it 2. Gritty gutsy version. (Overlooked song in general. Also make sure to check out 1-10-79 at Nassau)
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
April 13, 1983
Patrick Gymnasium, U of Vermont

Sensational version in bad need of a clean SBD.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
June 18, 1983
Saratoga Performing Arts Center

@cgarces Yes, I know the feeling. We are all lucky to have so many great recordings of shows available but it only makes the ones we don't have (and that are great performances) that much more desirable. Another good (maybe even better, actually) example of this can be found further down the list with 4-13-83 at UVM. It's an absolutely phenomenal Scarlet-Fire but you gotta deal with the AUDS available and some of it sadly gets lost in the translation.
Playin' In The Band
Nov. 18, 1972
Hofheinz Pavilion

Regarding "cleaner" copies of this amazing version, I think there is a fairly recent Charlie miller pitch-corrected version on the archive. It's not as pristine a recording as we may like but it's pretty damn good and may be the best-sounding recording available. So worth it. As everyone here has said, this version is legendary and does rival Veneta, if not perhaps surpassing it in some ways.
Bird Song
Dec. 9, 1981
Activity Center - University of Colorado

Doesn't reach some of the epic jam crescendos as other 80's versions but it is quite beautiful and lovingly sung by jerry and gets my up vote also b/c 1981 is often overlooked. Also make sure to check out the china-rider from this show which could very well be the best of the decade.