headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

9
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
May 13, 1977
Auditorium Theatre

Almost beyond description. The last full jam leading into the GDTR chorus is a perfect storm example of what made the Dead magic
12
Brown Eyed Women
May 17, 1977
Memorial Coliseum

Gotta check out the "small" songs in legendary shows like this as well as the usual suspects! Check out Jerry's utterly perfect bridge jam & be in awe
22
Bird Song
Sept. 22, 1993
Madison Square Garden

If you don't know Saxophonist David Murray, here's a good way to find out how great he is. This is one stellar Birdsong that flew under the radar here
19
They Love Each Other
May 17, 1977
Memorial Coliseum

Is there anything prettier, sweeter or more sublimely lovely than Keith's piano in this version? You decide. This TLEO is incredible.
56
Sugaree
May 11, 1977
St. Paul Civic Center Arena

New #1 favorite. Slightly more compact than other amazing '77 versions & so a bit more focused. 2d Garcia solo has no equal.
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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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