headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Books and Music

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Submissions

37
Promised Land
Sept. 18, 1990
Madison Square Garden

New #1 version--all time best. This is a stretched-out jam-fest for a song usually given the quick-off. Killer fills from Hornsby. MUST HEAR!
6
Sugar Magnolia
Sept. 25, 1981
Stabler Arena

Incredible Sugary-Mag Club sandwich: Sugar>BlackPeter>Round&Round>SSDD. Energy off the charts, and the SSDD starts spot-on the downbeat from R&R
13
Big River
July 31, 1974
Dillon Stadium

Scorcher start to finish. Keith comes up big, and Jerry goes ballistic in the final instrumental bridge. Check it out on Dave's Pix Vol. 2
45
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
June 19, 1976
Capitol Theatre

Just when you think you've heard 'em all...Peppy&Zippy yet tight HELP >groovy-spacedout Slip>killer jumping-Jerry-led Franklins. Must Hear!
44
Estimated Prophet
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

From the show that never stops giving--a spacey-jazzy-goeey-Wah-Wah-chunk-fest-of-Jerry.
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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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