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

So Many Roads
July 9, 1995
Soldier Field

@Younghead: Thank you for a very thoughtful and moving post. I don't really have anything to say about this show, or even this song (which truth to tell I never really cared for), but you summed up quite eloquently the state of the band and the man in the end days. I think all of us here remember him the way he was when he was good--and when he was good, there was no one better.
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
June 17, 1976
Capitol Theater

Really sweet. Two nights later (6/19/76) is also a winner!
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Dec. 12, 1980
Swing Auditorium

Really time to give this version more love & votes. Klaussmith prefers the AUD; I am more partial to the SBD--neither are perfect but that should not stop you from listening to and thoroughly enjoying this awesome version. Either source is more than worthy. The Mountain Jam tease is way cool, but that's not the only thing that makes this rendition a top pick. The jamming is fluid and rockin' and while lots of China>Riders lose their steam once they get into "Rider", this one charges ahead at full speed and doesn't let up. Outstanding stuff.
Playin' In The Band
Feb. 22, 1973
Assembly Hall, University of Illinois

Roaring acid-jazz version. Jerry just never lets up. Definitely for those in the mood for a more raucous performance and fewer mellow moments, but it's a tour de force for sure and worthy of the best from this (or any) year.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
July 1, 1985
Merriweather Post Pavilion

@AMDew: Agreed. Even though this is not a "top" version for me (not much in '85 is), I think Copps '90 is grossly overrated, at least as ranked here. No way does it beat out so many of the late 70's early 80's versions that appear far lower on this list. (Guess i'm really not a fan of Jerry's MIDI jams, which really define the Copps version.)
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