headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+23534


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

Stella Blue
Aug. 21, 1972
Berkeley Community Theater

Self contained beauty. Early enough version that Jerry sings "can't keep from crying" instead of "gonna make 'em shine" but it kinda works better since we don't get any off key chorus repeat from Donna (I'm not a Donna hater on most tunes, but she killed so many versions of this tune at that key moment). This whole show is chock full of goodness...A+ versions of He's Gone and PITB among many others. +1 on this Stella.
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
Sept. 2, 1983
Boise Pavilion - Boise State University

There's some interesting stuff going on in the Slipknot! (although you have to like 'em speedy to enjoy it) & the Franklin's...I'm almost positive that around the 6;20-6:50 mark in Franklin's Jerry's playing a riff from what would later become "Foolish Heart"...it's not the full phrasing but pretty damn close & there are some other nice runs in the Franklin's too...but ultimately I can't upvote this because the "Help" is in dire need of just that. It's an absolute train wreck and almost un-listenable. For a far better reading of the trio in '83 try Red Rocks.
Lazy Lightnin' -> Supplication
Aug. 26, 1980
Cleveland Public Auditorium

Probably ignored for lack of SBD but the source provided is a very good AUD and yes this is a pumped up rager. Worth a listen and upvote. EDIT: upon further review there is a SBD to hear...both versions quite good.
Maggie's Farm
March 20, 1992
Copps Coliseum

Great keys from Vinny here and everyone nails their vocal parts. Zimmerman would approve.
Eyes Of The World
Nov. 14, 1973
San Diego International Sports Arena

Fresh from spinning this, arrived to rave about it, expecting it to be easily northward of 30 votes, and real disappointed to find it still in the teens. This has so many things going for it besides the obvious (late ‘73) not the least of which is a super sweet 2 minute intro, almost unheard of in the song’s debut year. Jerry just slays the main jams, nails the lyrics, & Phil grooves out after that. Oodles of great Eyes, I know, but this one is far better than a lot of others above it right now.
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