headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

7
Greatest Story Ever Told
March 14, 1981
Hartford Civic Center

Best of the 80's or 90's, hands down. Picture perfect rendition: Vocals, jam fills, & finish.
6
The Other One
April 16, 1984
Community War Memorial Auditorium

Short but raging. Look beyond the length & enjoy for the fire within. Jerry attacks this from the get-go & it's awesome.
2
Truckin'
Dec. 12, 1993
San Diego Sports Arena

Anybody else hear a very distinctive riff of Steely Dan's "Black Friday" in the intro?
5
Sugar Magnolia
April 8, 1978
Veterans Memorial Coliseum

Just listen & you will believe. End jam before SSDD is a tidal wave of sound & power & beauty. A true must hear.
7
Darkness Jam
June 6, 1970
Fillmore West

Just one jam theme among many. this should be called "Kitchen Sink" jam. Has so much & all so good
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Comments

Bird Song
March 16, 1973
Nassau Coliseum

Gotta up this one. Most 72s and 73s follow a familiar pattern (a great one) and this one does too but somehow sounds a little different. A little more energy in the interplay and buildup and resolution. Take maybe half a point off for Phil being too audible in the vocals (he's terrible on this song), but musically, instrumentally it's all there and then some. 6/22/73 is still the greatest of all time, but I'm glad to see this one near the top. Could use a few more votes, though.
Samson and Delilah
March 9, 1981
Madison Square Garden

This comes straight out of a ripping China>Rider and keeps the mojo movin'. Brent, Jerry, everyone in high gear.
The Music Never Stopped
Jan. 10, 1979
Nassau Coliseum

Would add too that this show is a sadly overlooked and underrated monster. First rate renditions also of Miracle, Shakedown, & Dark Star.
Shakedown Street
Oct. 25, 1979
New Haven Coliseum

Absolutely thinks this kicks the living snot out of Merriweather and would love to see it knock 6/30/85 outta the top spot. Probably won't happen but IMO the true funk is found in this killer version and the jam is consistently hot ALL the way thru, not just at the end as everyone seems to say is the case on 6/30/85. Not to mention way better vocals (Jerry in '85? Come on), and just an all-around much grittier, tighter, spot-on version of Shake here in New Haven.
Hey Pocky Way
Oct. 3, 1987
Shoreline Amphitheatre

Upvote needed here fer certain. This stands up w/some of the best Neville Bros. renditions. The boys were heavily into the Crescent City sound in '87 and it shows here.
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