headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

78
Jack Straw
Oct. 20, 1984
Carrier Dome, Syracuse U

Crazy hard driving insanisty to end the first set. One of those jam segments that builds and builds and KABOOMS into final verse. Phil fans: a must
15
Stella Blue
April 19, 1982
Baltimore Civic Center

Sweet & melty....gorgeous harmonies from Brent.
81
Sugaree
Oct. 16, 1977
Louisiana State U

1977 was a helluva year for this song. I have no quarrel w/ 5/5, 5/19, or 5/21, but I think this one beats 'em all by a nose!
50
St. Stephen
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

With all due rfespect to Barton Hall & others, this is the best version out there (IMO). Bluesy, rockin', jammin', just exactly perfect
29
Candyman
Dec. 15, 1986
Oakland Coliseum Arena

Must hear b/c it's Jerry's first show back after the coma...crowd goes INSANE on "won't you tell everybody you meet that the Candyman's in town!"
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Comments

Cold Rain and Snow
Feb. 3, 1978
Dane County Coliseum

^^^^Agree. Like Cornell & Veneta this (to be clear excellent top shelf show) gets bumps for songs that are fine but not extraordinary just b/c they're attached to a larger than life show. It's a disservice to both show & song. There are scads of versions way better than this one far lower on the list. (Just off the top of my head 8/25/72 leaps to mind). Great show--misleading ranking for this particular song in the pantheon of great CR&S
Playin' In The Band
Oct. 9, 1972
Winterland Arena

Gargantuan kitchen sink version with something for everyone. Aggressive in sections, quiet and contemplative in others, with a firm rhythm from Weir, Jerry’s usual runs of brilliance and my stars, if this isn’t one if the greatest performances by drummer Billy I don’t know what is. He takes control from the get go and rides the wave right up until...well, by now you should have read up on the hideous cut before the rejoin but honest to goodness it doesn’t take away from the overall magnificence of the journey. (One of the two archive versions has a noble fade out that’s at least better than an abrupt out)
The Other One
June 22, 1992
Star Lake Amphitheater

This deserves an upvote if for no other reason than the sheer originality of the approach. Hearing Bob begin the lyrics straight out of Spanish Jam AND IN THE MELODY OF SPANISH JAM!!! is at least to my knowing the only time they ever entered the song this way & it's a brilliant example of the experimentation and risk they were still willing to take even in the waning years. Whether it "works" or not is a matter of taste (I think it's grand) but I love the boldness & what a blast it mist have been to hear that happen live. Kudos and a +1
Black Throated Wind
Sept. 17, 1972
Baltimore Civic Center

stunningly confident, propulsive version. Weir's best pacing perhaps ever on this tune in both vocal delivery & rhythm. As others have noted Garcia digs deep & Keith adds all the most delicate accents at just the right moments. Exemplary.
Crazy Fingers
May 26, 1993
Cal Expo

Instrumentally nice version but typical for the year croaky-weak vocals from Jerry keep me from giving this an upvote. Lots of better versions currently sit under this one.
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