headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+23529


Submissions

2
Drums
June 4, 1978
Campus Stadium - University Of California

Part of a very hardcore rock and roll 2nd set. HEAVY wailing Drums>Space>NFA w/motorcycle revs.
8
Beat it on Down The Line
May 16, 1972
Theatre Hall

Another Europe '72 tour winner. Bobby sez "Rock on out" for the bridge jam and Jerry obliges.
24
Ramble On Rose
May 22, 1977
The Sportatorium

Just discovered this one, available on archive as outtakes that didn't make the DP release. Simply put, it kicks ass.
8
Doin' That Rag
June 14, 1969
Monterey Performing Arts Center

Always a tough tune for the band to pull off but here they do it with authority. Jerry nails the vocals w/gusto!
10
Black Peter
Sept. 25, 1981
Stabler Arena

After 10/29/77 this should be your go-to BP. Emotion oozes and Jer shreds the outro.

Comments

The Music Never Stopped
May 26, 1977
Baltimore Civic Center

Props to your Baltimore, DS67, & props to this excellent, overlooked show. High energy MNS here & this show's also worth checking out for a searing GDTRFB and a generally high octane 2nd set.
They Love Each Other
Dec. 18, 1993
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

Wow/Yes/Underrated The acoustic sound works so beautifully here. Def. makes up for Jerry's '93 vocal weaknesses. If you want an off the beaten path version of this awesome 1st set tune look no further.
Dire Wolf
July 8, 1978
Red Rocks Amphitheatre

A) This is a great DW. I should have upped it earlier, B) As to the discussion about posting multiple versions of same songs, I don't mind that too much. I've long ago given up on believing that these rankings/comments are always reflecting "the best" of any one version. What I find most helpful is when some one tells me WHY this version deserves an upgrade or is better than one ahead of it. I look for descriptions and perspectives from the other heads here to parse out versions I may have otherwise overlooked.
Bird Song
Sept. 24, 1972
Palace Theatre

^^^^Agreed. A perfect BirdSong year with so many gems to choose from...the challenge is to parse out the subtle differences of each and find the moments that make the individual performances stand out.
Here Comes Sunshine
Nov. 21, 1973
Denver Coliseum

^^^^That’s a mighty fine list. Point taken about the spacey quality on some of those Nov. ‘73 versions ... it is weird how they dropped it as you said just when it was hitting stride.