headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+23524


Submissions

26
Scarlet Begonias
Oct. 3, 1976
Cobo Arena

No clean SBD on archive but at official Dead site a pristine version was on 30 days of Dead for DL. 2d best stand-alone I've heard next to 3-20-77
64
Pretty Peggy O
May 19, 1977
Fox Theatre

DP Vol. 29...Each time I think I've heard the best (i.e. 12/27/77) I hear one better. This is it. Flowing, gorgeous Jerry bridge jam. Perfection.
4
Don't Ease Me In
June 20, 1980
West High Auditorium

Proves the boys could really swing when they wanted to. Hear Jerry on "The Girl I Love" line; like 'Gator Alley--1980 a good year for this tune
31
Not Fade Away
May 26, 1977
Baltimore Civic Center

Insane. Ridiculous. Drummers locked in, Garcia in take-no-prisoners mode. 16+ minutes of full-bore Rock to the G-D Roll.
127
Wharf Rat
Oct. 7, 1977
University of New Mexico

Most pristine version I've ever heard. So smooth, so clear. Keith leads the way, Jerry brings it home. . Essential for all Wharf Rat fans

Comments

Dupree's Diamond Blues
April 19, 1983
Alfond Arena, U of Maine

Underrated version notable for Brent paying homage to the calliope days of late 60's yore... and while Jerry's vocal is typical early-80s-strained he doesn't botch the lyrics & is clearly into the saga, driving the narrative along & with a nice wah wah solo 3/4 of the way through. Version was featured on 30 Days of Dead a few years back & is well worthy of upvote
Greatest Story Ever Told
May 10, 1972
Concertgebouw

wah wah heaven
Shakedown Street
April 6, 1982
The Spectrum

I always come back to this one. The Jerry//Brent conversation is gold and so is the rest
Bertha
May 12, 1977
Auditorium Theatre

Patient, beautiful, mellow version with a lengthy bridge jam as is the norm for this year with this song...but this version stands out for Jerry's confident, easy vocal reading, and Bobby's numerous China Cat licks all over the early portions. Real nice Bertha here that could probably use some more vote-up
Bird Song
Sept. 16, 1972
Boston Music Hall

Yes new SBD source is the winner here..excellent Birdsong (was there not such an animal in ‘72?) but this whole show is a gem. Check out the DarkStar>BrokedownPalace too