headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

grendel

Books and Music

+24543


Submissions

4
Estimated Prophet
Aug. 31, 1985
Manor Downs

Hot as the night in Texas on which it was played.
11
One More Saturday Night
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

Like every other song from this, my favorite all-time show, it's a best-of candidate. Just rocks hard.
2
Alabama Getaway
Dec. 5, 1979
Uptown Theater

Come for the 'Bama but stay for the rest of the show. This rocker 'Bama is Jerry and Brent at their very best. This entire show, tho', is a monster.
13
Stagger Lee
June 27, 1985
SPAC

Right after Phil tells a guy to get off the blacony cuz 50,000 people are waiting for him to, and Bob does the dog nose joke, Jer rips into a fine SL!
8
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Oct. 18, 1989
The Spectrum

Pretty good China followed by the best 80's OR 90's RIDER I've ever heard. Check Jer's run going into "sun gonna shine" verse. 5 stars fo RIDER alone.
show more submissions

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.
show more comments
headyversion loves the dead but is in no way affiliated with The Grateful Dead or affiliated enterprises. find out more >:) >:)