headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

7
Big River
April 19, 1978
Veterans Memorial Auditorium

Segues perfectly out of MAMU and rolls along beautifully til Jerry goes ballistic on the last solo. Must hear.
5
China Cat Sunflower
April 5, 1969
Avalon Ballroom

Nice early stand alone with a long intro. You can hear the transition from the old intro to the more familiar pickings of later versions.
5
Darkness Jam
Nov. 21, 1973
Denver Coliseum

Not really a darkness jam but more of a dark star jam than what it's listed as (PITB) leads into Wharf Rat & is beyond beautiful.
8
Wang Dang Doodle
Oct. 22, 1983
Carrier Dome, Syracuse U

The boys really "throw a mess" on this one, making the carrier dome sound like a down and dirty old time saloon. Slinky sick stuff
2
Row Jimmy
April 18, 1987
Irvine Meadows

Check out Jerry's "giddy-up" riffs in the final "Row" choruses!
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Comments

Comes A Time
July 17, 1976
Orpheum Theatre

Never get tired of hearing that gorgeous outro jam.
Franklin's Tower
Nov. 29, 1980
Alligator Alley Gym, University of Florida

I wish they'd made more attempts at Shakedown>Franklin's. While the transition here isn't in their seamless transition hall of fame, it's not awful, and it is fun and adventurous if nothing else, but lost in discussion of the hand off is how good this standalone Franklin's really is. What I love most about it is how direct it is. No meandering here like many longer (and higher ranked) versions are. Jerry just attacks every lead and the band is fully cranked up behind. There's nary a note wasted here and there's a lot to get excited about, plus the novelty of emerging from the shake. Easy ups for me on this one.
Sugar Magnolia
June 20, 1983
Merriweather Post Pavilion

Frenetic, energetic, explosive especially in the latter part of the tune, but, it has to be said...pretty darn sloppy overall. Donnie's criticism might be a bit overdone but he's not totally wrong. Can't upvote this one even though the energy of it is undeniable. Must have been a blast to be there.
Wharf Rat
Dec. 27, 1977
Winterland Arena

Lost in a sea of great Rats from this year, I suspect, but yeah, like almost every song/show from the end of this Winterland run, this one is outstanding.
Cassidy
March 28, 1985
Nassau Coliseum

Three tiered monster, every turn executed beautifully, a fine example of a long version success. Would likely have more votes if a strronger SBD version was available but there's a decent one to be found. Worth the listen.
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