headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

15
It Must Have Been The Roses
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

Almost every song from this show could be nominated for a "best ever." This heartfelt "Roses" is no exception.
11
Aiko Aiko
Dec. 31, 1987
Oakland Coliseum Arena

With the Neville Bros. Jerry gets his Big Easy on.
17
Promised Land
May 25, 1977
The Mosque

Perfection to end the first set of one of the truly great shows ever. Keith, Bobby, Jerry--the whole crew is in the pocket and rocking it hard.
15
Promised Land
April 1, 1980
Capitol Theatre

Both the best and worst version ever. Why? April Fool's gag: Bobby - keys, Brent & Jerry -drums, Billy - bass - Mickey -guitar Phil-vocals
75
Big River
May 9, 1977
War Memorial

They just could do no wrong at this show, Hidden among all the other gems is this monster River. Big solo work by Jerry; nice fills by Keith.
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Comments

Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
May 22, 1977
The Sportatorium

The unheralded portion of this great version is the "help", which to my ears is performed better than any other. Check out the first jam section...it's fluid and jazzy and perfect in every way and just carries the momentum beautifully into "slipknot " without rushing along. The rest is pretty great too but it's the first of the trilogy in this version that makes it special.
He's Gone
May 22, 1982
Greek Theatre - University of California

Yessiree, and this whole show is among those in '82 that somehow get overlooked for overall excellence. Also check out 9/11/82 for a real sleeper show.
They Love Each Other
Feb. 26, 1973
Pershing Municipal Auditorium

The more I listen to this DP release the more I realize it's one of the top 5 in the series. This TLEO just offers up another example for why.
Pretty Peggy O
Sept. 3, 1977
Raceway Park

Most interesting about this fine version is that it comes as close as possible to being a kind of "rock and roll" rendition of what is in every other version a quiet, heartfelt ballad. This is played at a much faster pace than most others and with far edgier, louder, and grittier leads by Jerry that definitely evoke more of a rock feel. Perhaps this was intentional as they were playing before an enormous festival crowd at Raceway Park and wanted to avoid anything too slow and potentially drowsy.
Crazy Fingers
June 22, 1976
Tower Theatre

Very tasty, and Donna doesn't get in the way as in other '76 versions at key moments...it also melts rather sweetly into "Comes a Time", which is nice.
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