headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

26
Dupree's Diamond Blues
Feb. 4, 1978
Milwaukee Auditorium

Can't beat this one. Played w/out a hitch, Jerry nails all the lyrics, and when it's over Phil says: "And that's a true story, folks!"
20
Eyes Of The World
April 3, 1982
The Scope

Unlike nearly every other '80's version, this one isn't all speeded out and rushed; instead it's groovy, jazzy, intricate, very pretty for its time
19
Promised Land
Nov. 11, 1973
Winterland Arena

Yep...too rocking a tune to be ignored. Hard to beat this one, especially as kick-off of trio: Promised>Bertha>GSET
46
Fire On The Mountain
July 13, 1985
Ventura County Fairgrounds

Extremely rare stand-alone "Fire"...2nd song, first set, and a real barn-burner!
4
Deal
Oct. 30, 1977
Assembly Hall - Indiana University

Garcia's solos roll like lightning & rock like thunder. Sings it w/gusto, too. Not to be missed.
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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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