headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

7
Big River
April 19, 1978
Veterans Memorial Auditorium

Segues perfectly out of MAMU and rolls along beautifully til Jerry goes ballistic on the last solo. Must hear.
5
China Cat Sunflower
April 5, 1969
Avalon Ballroom

Nice early stand alone with a long intro. You can hear the transition from the old intro to the more familiar pickings of later versions.
5
Darkness Jam
Nov. 21, 1973
Denver Coliseum

Not really a darkness jam but more of a dark star jam than what it's listed as (PITB) leads into Wharf Rat & is beyond beautiful.
8
Wang Dang Doodle
Oct. 22, 1983
Carrier Dome, Syracuse U

The boys really "throw a mess" on this one, making the carrier dome sound like a down and dirty old time saloon. Slinky sick stuff
2
Row Jimmy
April 18, 1987
Irvine Meadows

Check out Jerry's "giddy-up" riffs in the final "Row" choruses!
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Comments

Bird Song
Sept. 10, 1972
Hollywood Palladium

Easy to lose this one in a sea of great "Birdsongs" from a great year for that song...but it's a mistake to skip this one by. Other than 6/22/73 this might have the trippiest/dream-like/sweet-mellow jam section of any version ever. SBD lacks a bit--just a bit--of oomph but is essentially clear and pretty, and this version will delight any early-year "Birdsong" aficionado.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
March 16, 1973
Nassau Coliseum

Very distinct tease by Jerry on "Mountain Jam" just prior to a really mellow and flowing version of the MLB jam...just an outstanding all-around version of the combo and instantly rising into my top 5 of all-time (with, in no particular order, 2/24/74, 8/27/72, 3/9/81 and 11/11/73.) This out of all those, however, wins as most underrated version. Terrific pick.
Crazy Fingers
Aug. 13, 1975
Great American Music Hall

OK, I'll be the first to say it: I didn't check, and just assumed this was already here. How could it not be???? Other than the Blues For Allah album version, this is THE MOST PRISTINE VERSION of the song EVER played. Nothing else even comes close.
Dire Wolf
April 16, 1978
Huntington Civic Center

Lost in the shuffle of a superior show. There usually isn't much jamming on this little ditty of a song but Jerry brings the goods and collects his dues on this one. Flowing licks and passionate vocals.
The Music Never Stopped
May 22, 1977
The Sportatorium

What's not great in this show? This is but one example of one of those "Just Exactly perfect" tunes from a perfect year. This DP is easily one of the best Dick ever offered up. Spectacular Lazy Lightning>Supplication also among the highlights.
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