headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

13
The Other One
May 18, 1977
Fox Theatre

Not sure why everyone ignores '77 versions, but you're missing out if you haven't heard this one. Power packed Jerry-led fury.
4
Spanish Jam
May 21, 1995
Sam Boyd Silver Bowl

In the band's worst year they somehow came up with a really short but spot-on SJ that emerges nicely out of space. Ignore the date-check out the tune.
4
It Must Have Been The Roses
March 13, 1981
Utica Coliseum

Seek out the SBD (unknown lineage) then bask in what's possibly the best-sung, most heartfelt & lovely "Roses" ever.
52
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
May 11, 1977
St. Paul Civic Center Arena

It's criminal that this hasn't made the list yet. Like super-smooth '77 versions? You MUST hear this.
13
Gloria
Oct. 16, 1981
Melkweg

Bobby's birthday at the world famous Melkeweg. Yummy brownies make this version extra special.
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Comments

Brown Eyed Women
May 26, 1977
Baltimore Civic Center

Adding this to the Mount Rushmore of BEW's to stand alongside 11/4/77, 12/27/77, & 8/24/80 as the best ever.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Dec. 30, 1979
Oakland Auditorium

Wow, still under double digits? I just re-listened & am even more enamored of this super groovy, relaxed yet full of color reading on both tunes. Sadly neglected to this point, I really think this needs more ears on it.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Sept. 24, 1973
Civic Arena

Great version, sources not so much. I think it was a recent 30 days of dead DL though and worth seeking out b/c this is a long, well jammed '73 gem, mostly undiscovered to this point.
Stella Blue
Oct. 1, 1994
Boston Garden

Nice vocal reprise but the rest is a sloppy, disappointing version from a show that otherwise is pretty great. Jerry's phrasing is tentative, not much gusto in the lyrics and uninspired playing by just about everyone. I suspect this one has its relative high slotting here due solely to the vocal "stella" call backs at the end & the show being a very good one for the year, but this version pales in comparison to the much better 3/21/94 which is easily the best of the year and perhaps only second to the Knick for best of the 90s
He's Gone
Oct. 2, 1972
Springfield Civic Center

Had to scroll nearly all the way down the list to find this superlative, dig your heels in, super-confident bluesy gem of a rendition? Come on, folks, it's fall 1972 & everyone's in sync on this fantastic reading from a great (& sadly underrated) show. There are myriad reasons to bump this one way up the ladder. More ears & votes please.
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