headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+24543


Submissions

15
It Must Have Been The Roses
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

Almost every song from this show could be nominated for a "best ever." This heartfelt "Roses" is no exception.
11
Aiko Aiko
Dec. 31, 1987
Oakland Coliseum Arena

With the Neville Bros. Jerry gets his Big Easy on.
17
Promised Land
May 25, 1977
The Mosque

Perfection to end the first set of one of the truly great shows ever. Keith, Bobby, Jerry--the whole crew is in the pocket and rocking it hard.
15
Promised Land
April 1, 1980
Capitol Theatre

Both the best and worst version ever. Why? April Fool's gag: Bobby - keys, Brent & Jerry -drums, Billy - bass - Mickey -guitar Phil-vocals
75
Big River
May 9, 1977
War Memorial

They just could do no wrong at this show, Hidden among all the other gems is this monster River. Big solo work by Jerry; nice fills by Keith.
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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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