headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

grendel

Books and Music

+23524


Submissions

11
Crazy Fingers
April 3, 1990
The Omni

Very strong entry w/no lyrical mistakes & Jerry in fine voice, esp. for the year. Crystal clean sound from '90 spring box set shows how good this is!
14
Brokedown Palace
Sept. 16, 1972
Boston Music Hall

This melts like a dream from a weirdly underrated Dark Star & is sung beautifully by Jerry & played sweetly by all. Give a listen!
6
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
Sept. 20, 1991
Boston Garden

Ok technically it's Help>Slipknot>Fire but c'mon that's pretty cool & even w/out the novelty of the change-up it's a sweet version
10
Take A Step Back
Oct. 31, 1979
Nassau Coliseum

Phil: "Remember, if you step up too close We'll HAVE TO STOP PLAYING. Weir: I would remind you all that Halloween is not a legal holiday"
5
Candyman
Oct. 28, 1977
Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Hall

There's a Betty Board of this one available. And it's gorgeous. What's stopping you?

Comments

Stella Blue
Sept. 2, 1979
Augusta Civic Center

Folks who like '79 Terrapins should give a listen to this Stella, given the same mellow, poignant, well-played treatment. Sweet version from a greatly underrated show
Eyes Of The World
March 20, 1991
Capital Centre

One of the best intros of the 90s versions, a 2 1/2 minute grooved out extravaganza that sets the tone for as jazzy and entry as you'll find outside of a Marsalis appearance. This is one of the finest "Eyes" of the latter day Dead, a top 5-er for sure, I'd have no problem grouping this one in with 3/25/90, 3/31/91, the opener at Giants Stadium (it's actually better) and 3/29/90. One thing I'm sure of--it deserves WAY more listens and a higher ranking.
The Eleven
April 27, 1969
Labor Temple

+1 just for the way it emerges flawlessly from the Other One & glides back in for the reprise. Everything in between is amazing as well & Jerry is doing liquid leads especially after the verse. Gold standard stuff.
Dark Star
April 27, 1969
Labor Temple

Grunge rock Dark Star. Jerry never stops playing his fuzzed-out acid drenched chops off in this one, unique among Stars I've heard from this era that almost always feature floaty, deep-space, twinkling Mickey-gong segments, but this puppy never stops romping all over the space provided, with the rest of the band adding the out-of-earth flourishes as Jerry just cranks his guitar and lets his fingers fly. Worth grabbing the official DP26 release for best sound quality. Exceptional DS'69 here.
The Other One
Dec. 5, 1979
Uptown Theater

So much going on in this way way way underrated version--including a subtle butr quite distinct "Let It Grow" jam dropped in the midst of things. I'm on a mission to get this at least into double digits. Check out this monster version...spacey, multiple Jerry runs, peaks. great rumbling Phil intro, and the killer "Let It Grow" phrasing...get on this, folks.