headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

31
Let It Grow
Oct. 2, 1977
Paramount Theatre

The most "Spanish-flavored" of LIG's, evokes old southwest almost Mariachi vibe. Brilliant Garcia changes-Rise&Fall!
25
Althea
May 6, 1980
Rec Hall, Penn State U

Recent Road Trips release is a perfecto: Outstanding vocals from Jerry and a jam after the lyrics that grooves and rocks super-hard. 5-star version!
46
Deep Elem Blues
May 2, 1970
Harpur College

Jerry's voice just exactly bluesy perfect...groovy & slow acoustic cadence & the boys harmonizing sweetly on the chrouses. Outstanding early version
30
Box of Rain
March 20, 1986
Hampton Coliseum

A+ for the crowd alone. Are there better ones? Of course. But I was there & the ecstacy after 14 years of no Box makes this version legendary.
15
Mississippi Halfstep Uptown Toodeloo
Sept. 18, 1990
Madison Square Garden

Astonishingly strong Jerry vocals, especially given the year, and some of the prettiest Hornsby-led fills make this one a real great sleeper pick.
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Comments

Row Jimmy
April 9, 1987
UIC Pavilion

Yes Moberg, very nice indeed thx for pointing this one out. I'm not a huge fan of '87 overall but for some reason I like the way they were doing this tune then (&when Jerry could remember the lyrics, never a given). I was at the 3-day run in Irvine at Easter a couple weeks after this show and there's a nice version from that run as well with some fun giddy up to the closing section. This version has some of that same get up and go to it. +1 (Edit: Should be made clear...that second solo is pretty damn impressive)
Mississippi Halfstep Uptown Toodeloo
Nov. 6, 1977
Broome County Arena

It is my fervent hope that with the official release of this show, with A+ sound reproduction, that people will finally realize how hard this version rocks, that its two tsunami rush jam sections are unequalled, and that this GOAT Half Step moves from bronze to gold where it belongs. The numbers say it'll never surpass Englishtown, but it really is so much better....and that's saying a lot.
Me and My Uncle
Nov. 6, 1977
Broome County Arena

Points just for sounding different from so many others for a song that is mostly uniform year to year (not that it isn't great). The transition from Mexicali is truly bizarre in that it really does sound as the liner notes indicate on DaP 25 like a digital segue made by a computer.
Row Jimmy
April 9, 1987
UIC Pavilion

^^^^You have me intrigued, sir, as RJ is one of my all time faves and 3/20/77 is the undisputed absolute king of them all, and in fact Jerry's 2d solo in that version is I truly believe one of the greatest musical passages the band ever offered. I wonder if you could point me to the best source for this show before I check this one out?
Mississippi Halfstep Uptown Toodeloo
Aug. 19, 1980
Uptown Theatre

I'm eager to hear if you guys can find a better source. This feels like an amazing show but I can't really enjoy the ones i've heard so far b/c he mixes are just a mess with some instruments just sounding like they're being played from behind a curtain or something. It's a shame b/c there's some great playing here that's not coming across on any source I've tried to this point. (I think even CM in his notes said there wasn't much he could do)
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