headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

4
Estimated Prophet
Aug. 31, 1985
Manor Downs

Hot as the night in Texas on which it was played.
11
One More Saturday Night
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

Like every other song from this, my favorite all-time show, it's a best-of candidate. Just rocks hard.
2
Alabama Getaway
Dec. 5, 1979
Uptown Theater

Come for the 'Bama but stay for the rest of the show. This rocker 'Bama is Jerry and Brent at their very best. This entire show, tho', is a monster.
13
Stagger Lee
June 27, 1985
SPAC

Right after Phil tells a guy to get off the blacony cuz 50,000 people are waiting for him to, and Bob does the dog nose joke, Jer rips into a fine SL!
8
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Oct. 18, 1989
The Spectrum

Pretty good China followed by the best 80's OR 90's RIDER I've ever heard. Check Jer's run going into "sun gonna shine" verse. 5 stars fo RIDER alone.
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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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