headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+24543


Submissions

2
Brown Eyed Women
Aug. 4, 1982
Kiel Auditorium

Fast-picking goodness. Jerry's bridge solo is long and lightning quick and awesome. 1 point off for lyric flub on re-entry, but the rest is gold.
43
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
April 30, 1977
The Palladium

Sick of saying "How can X not be here" yet but C'mon! Get the digital DL series and start bumpin this up! Smooth Scarlet, killer Fire jams. Early gem!
15
Terrapin Station
Nov. 28, 1980
Lakeland Civic Center

From a year not particularly known for great Terrapin, this one proves the exception to the rule. Tight, inventive, soulful.
6
Monkey and the Engineer
Feb. 4, 1970
Family Dog at the Great Highway

Bob sez: "we're gonna play one of your favorites and we certainly hope it's one of ours" b4 this sweet electric version!
19
Sugar Magnolia
Oct. 7, 1977
University of New Mexico

As insanely good as the Wharf Rat that precedes it. How good? Almost matches 10/29/77 in intensity. Final jam section b4 SSDD will boggle your senses!

Comments

Row Jimmy
July 25, 1974
International Amphitheater

Best Row Jimmy of 1974 and also the best version period pre-1977 (see 3/20/77 and 4/12/78). Jerry vocals are picture perfect and Donna does not get in the way at all. The mid-verse jams are beautiful with gentle and then rising solos supported by a perfect pace and rhythm. Finishes with a strong, gorgeous chorus. Exceptional version needing FAR more many votes than it has now.
St. Stephen
June 24, 1970
Capitol Theatre

@chrisp Regarding 10/29/77 being the king of latter day versions: spot on! More attention needs to be paid...
The Other One
March 31, 1973
War Memorial

Didn't realize until giving it a second listen how nice this is. I mean "nice" literally. This is not an overly aggressive or crazy spacey Other One, but instead a quite jazzy, contemplative and nicely flowing version that melts beautifully into its cameo appearance components with equal grace: a controlled and very pretty Spanish Jam and a Feelin' Groovy Jam that just kinda starts on its own outta nowhere and then kicks into a nice Rider. Deserves higher ranking for these reasons and for the obscurity of these pieces all coming together within TOO.
Beat it on Down The Line
April 26, 1971
Fillmore East

Duane sounds fantastic on this.
Hard to Handle
April 26, 1971
Fillmore East

First time hearing this one and dare I say it--best ever? Even better than 8/6/71? OK, maybe not "better", but in the same conversation for sure. Longer jam sections in this one...it's a beaut.