headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

19
Althea
Sept. 9, 1982
Saenger Performing Arts Center

Incredible. Check out Brent's fills during the epic post-lyrics outro. A must-listen top tier Althea w/bounce, power, & panache!
17
Deal
Feb. 23, 1974
Winterland Arena

Apparently no one is aware that a fellow named Keith played in this band or this version would have 50 votes already. Needs to be heard!
1
Pretty Peggy O
Sept. 4, 1980
Providence Civic Center

Outside of 1977 this may be the best version I've heard. A+ vocals from Jerry, killer mid-solo; slightly faster tempo. Must hear. Gr8 Matrix!
4
Greatest Story Ever Told
Oct. 11, 1989
Meadowlands Arena

Bob's lyric phrasing on this version is unique. He sings it in a way so different than any I've heard before & it's inventive & super-fun. Must hear!
7
Greatest Story Ever Told
March 14, 1981
Hartford Civic Center

Best of the 80's or 90's, hands down. Picture perfect rendition: Vocals, jam fills, & finish.
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Comments

Brokedown Palace
Oct. 3, 1980
Warfield Theater

^^^^Sorry, but this one's far better vocally, especially the harmonies. 9/27 is probably the best of that year, though, and is quite a nice version for that time period.
Scarlet Begonias
June 11, 1976
Boston Music Hall

Let it flow. Gorgeous '76 Scarlet right here. Do seek out the Miller upgrade & up this version. So sweet.
He's Gone
May 26, 1973
Kezar Stadium

Been a while and I’d forgotten how good this one is, from the harmonizing to the jamming and esp. the bluesy outro. Glad it’s still in the top 5.
Dark Star
Feb. 28, 1969
Fillmore West

Positively dripping with psychedelic musical ooze. A free flowing trip down a rainbow river of sound. I like it better than the more exalted 2/27 but it's kind of sixes with what you get from both...can't go wrong. Been appreciating this run a lot more with the attention paid lately here on HV.
The Eleven
Feb. 28, 1969
Fillmore West

Depends how you like your 11's...as in a Spinal-tap-ish "these go to 11", cranked-out wild & chaotic, or more disciplined & controlled but still jammed out like this one is. This is probably my favorite of the versions and of this really spot-on style of precision 11, but they're all pretty hot in '68 and '69, just differs on how you like 'em served up.
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