headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Books and Music

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Submissions

24
Franklin's Tower
May 1, 1981
Hampton Coliseum

One of the best played versions from one of the best played shows in the Brent era---ever.
16
Shakedown Street
March 24, 1981
Rainbow Theater

15+ minutes of funk w/extended overlapping vocal rounds of "just gotta poke around", etc. before jam Brent adds cool "fuzzy" SFX
1
Big Railroad Blues
Oct. 30, 1971
Taft Auditorium

Check out Keith on this one! He's never been so up front before & right outta the gate!!
21
Cream Puff War
July 3, 1966
Fillmore Auditorium

Peppy early version w/Jer belting out lyrics & Pig doin' some nice work on organ. No archive copy exists; got this off 30 Days of Dead-worth the DL!
9
Passenger
May 7, 1979
Allan Kirby Field House

Super-charged EARLY Brent version rips and tears and shreds. Final jam before the coda is the best they ever did in this tune. Goes to 11.
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Comments

Cold Rain and Snow
April 17, 1972
Tivolis Koncertsal

Jerry's vocals are in prime form as well in this stellar year...good moment for a great song. This is not long after they slowed the temp down a bit from the original speedy late 60's versions.
Eyes Of The World
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

Really glad you guys checked it out. 10/29/77 is my all-time #1 favorite Dead show ever, with this version of "Eyes" as the top highlight.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Dec. 30, 1979
Oakland Auditorium

Very underrated. Transition jam contains numerous hints of MLB/Feelin' Groovy Jams before melting into a spot-on "Fire." Last Garcia solo before final verse is for the ages. Highly recommended, nice choice.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
July 7, 1989
JFK Stadium

A great "clean" version. Very deliberate with on-the-beat flourishes, especially from Brent. If you like 'em precise and professional, this one shines.
St. Stephen
May 8, 1977
Barton Hall - Cornell University

Agree w/you, YoungHead. Check out the 10/29/77 I recommended here. It's all subjective, of course, but while 5/8/77 is a fine show, I think there are a number of overrated songs in it, inc. the scarlet>fire and this Stephen. (Not that it's BAD--but best ever? I have to say 'no')
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