headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+23529


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

Playin' In The Band
Dec. 3, 1979
Uptown Theatre

+: Whatever dime the band turns on at just around 6 minutes in is absolutely astonishing. It's a subtle turn, but you can't miss it either, & it just takes the whole jam off into a new direction in tone, space, and scope. There really should be a lot more ears on this version, esp. now with the great sound from the official release. But even if you don't have it, check out one of the archive versions & hear this one again.
Brown Eyed Women
April 15, 1978
William and Mary College Hall

Great solo indeed but they're keeping--or not keeping--a super weird beat here....like, it's way way way way off...takes some getting used to that's fer sure. Upvoting due to that hot solo & the overall uniqueness of this oddball beat. Nice read by jer on "Daddy made whiskey " line too. This whole show is the dark horse of April 78 which gets most of the attention for 4/8, 4/12/, 4/16, and 4/24.
Casey Jones
Dec. 31, 1978
Winterland Arena

Jaunty, kickin' straight ahead 70s rock version. Jerry vox is phenomenal here. & Donna sounds great too. I think this one is ranked relatively low on the chart only b/c so many other songs from this A+ show garner all the attention (& deservedly so), but don't overlook this sweet CJ nugget from the last ever Winterland performance.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Sept. 8, 1983
Red Rocks

^^^^ Yep, suffers from lack of a decent SBD. Many '83 versions do (UVM for example) but it's too bad b/c that was a good year for the combo.
Playin' In The Band
April 22, 1977
The Spectrum

Spectacular self contained trip back to ‘72 style with a precision ‘77 sensibility.
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