headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

11
Aiko Aiko
Dec. 31, 1987
Oakland Coliseum Arena

With the Neville Bros. Jerry gets his Big Easy on.
16
Promised Land
May 25, 1977
The Mosque

Perfection to end the first set of one of the truly great shows ever. Keith, Bobby, Jerry--the whole crew is in the pocket and rocking it hard.
14
Promised Land
April 1, 1980
Capitol Theatre

Both the best and worst version ever. Why? April Fool's gag: Bobby - keys, Brent & Jerry -drums, Billy - bass - Mickey -guitar Phil-vocals
75
Big River
May 9, 1977
War Memorial

They just could do no wrong at this show, Hidden among all the other gems is this monster River. Big solo work by Jerry; nice fills by Keith.
13
Brother Esau
Oct. 28, 1985
Fox Theater

Complete with kickin' cow bell, nice long intro, easily one of the best you'll find.
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Comments

Wharf Rat
May 17, 1977
Memorial Coliseum

Another thing I love about this deep, rich, Wharf Rat from an equally profound show is the way it literally rolls in from the drummers in one of the more sublime transitions I've ever heard with this tune. Stupendous on its own but made extra special by the lead-in from the playin' jam.
He's Gone
Sept. 18, 1974
Parc des Expositions

There's some extra chaw & drawl in Jerry's guitar solo before the bridge chorus & oh man, is it filthy good.
Dark Star
Nov. 26, 1972
San Antonio Civic Auditorium

Such a pity there isn’t a high quality recording of this show available. I don’t care for the final feedback portion but the FG jam before it and this version overall is sublime.
Terrapin Station
March 20, 1977
Winterland Arena

Spectacular version I should have upped earlier. This & the historic Alhambra version two days previous are likely the two best ever performed in the song’s infancy and can hang with any at the top of this list. There’s a grace & delicate flow to these earlier versions that gets lost in later years (the 1979 versions see a return to some of the gentleness but while it’s ethereal & lovely it lacks the steady continuity of narrative they achieved in versions like this). Heady stuff for sure.
Estimated Prophet
Feb. 3, 1978
Dane County Coliseum

^^^^yes there was some confusion on my end there but I see what folks mean about that extended jam in the ‘78 versions. I still love the spacey outros of the ‘77s but there’s an undeniable thrill in the big sections post 77 with the only risk being that Bobby sometimes jumps back in too quick on the vocal while Jer is still shredding (not so on this one)
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