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

Dancin' in the Streets
April 27, 1985
Frost Amphitheatre

Garcia's long slinky solo on this waaaay underrated version harkens back to some of the pickin' he did on the tune in the heydey of 1970, no joke. I like Brent's harmonies better here too altho' take a point off if you like for Bobby's oddly less than energetic lead vocal--not terrible by any means but as an opener it coulda been a bit peppier. Nitpicking really tho'...this is a fine rendition especially for the era and should go higher w/the new Dap49 release
Truckin'
July 5, 1978
Omaha Civic Auditorium

just some grind it down funky grunge jamming by Jerry on the outro--Bobby throws down some nice rhythm too--sleeper pick on the board at below 20 votes when i got here
Brother Esau
April 14, 1984
Hampton Coliseum

Dirty slinky funky filthy.
The Music Never Stopped
Oct. 3, 1976
Cobo Arena

Also hearing/digging that MLB-ish jam in the slowed down middle section b4 they kick things into high gear for the end jam. Great '76 version--stands up to a lot of others, even some '77s, & deserves a higher spot
Let It Grow
Aug. 29, 1980
The Spectrum

If my favorite version of this tune is 5-1-81 (and it is), this is the prequel--the origin superhero story if you will...Jerry flying all over the place with note after note but in total control of the thread and Bobby keeps up, as does the rest of the band. It's the Spectrum so you know it's a grand performance (always rising to the occasion at the big city venues like MSG & The Gahden in Boston), and damn if this isn't drastically underappreciated at less than 10 measly votes. Do yourself a favor and crank this one up and tell me it doesn't deserve your upvote.
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