headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+24543


Submissions

4
Ramble On Rose
Dec. 30, 1977
Winterland Arena

Faster than usual tempo with just a brilliant Jerry bridge jam and no missed lyrics make this one a not-to-be-missed version.
14
The Other One
May 18, 1977
Fox Theatre

Not sure why everyone ignores '77 versions, but you're missing out if you haven't heard this one. Power packed Jerry-led fury.
4
Spanish Jam
May 21, 1995
Sam Boyd Silver Bowl

In the band's worst year they somehow came up with a really short but spot-on SJ that emerges nicely out of space. Ignore the date-check out the tune.
4
It Must Have Been The Roses
March 13, 1981
Utica Coliseum

Seek out the SBD (unknown lineage) then bask in what's possibly the best-sung, most heartfelt & lovely "Roses" ever.
54
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
May 11, 1977
St. Paul Civic Center Arena

It's criminal that this hasn't made the list yet. Like super-smooth '77 versions? You MUST hear this.
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Comments

Stagger Lee
Sept. 16, 1990
Madison Square Garden

Yep. Well chosen by Latvala. This one does have a lengthy and juicy outro.
Aiko Aiko
Sept. 16, 1990
Madison Square Garden

Shoulda upped this ages ago. Lots of crescent city swagger and one of the few times the MIDI does some good (the aforementioned Jerry trumpet sound works here). Long, jammy, very danceable top notch version.
Shakedown Street
April 16, 1984
Community War Memorial Auditorium

I'd suggest the Miiller SBD, a very fine source for a grossly underrated show. Love this Shake for the sheer goofy funk it delivers...the goofy part is the final vocal join in and dang if they ain't all hamming it up and having a grand time doing it. Jerry slays his solos and Bobby works double time keeping the faster paced rhythm. More I hear from this show the more I like.
Deal
Sept. 16, 1990
Madison Square Garden

Spun ths recently and realized that because this show has so many highlights I'd overlooked this killer Deal. Multiple peaks and a great blending of the Hornsby sound to put an exclamation point on the end of set one. Must have been a lot of stunned, super wide smiles of awe when the lights came up. (Best Iko of the 90s at this show too)
Bird Song
Sept. 6, 1991
Richfield Coliseum

Spectacular jam section, as in truly amazing and dramatic...not even the MIDI can detract from it...upping it on the basis of that (being the lion's share of the song) but I also have to note that Jerry's vocals are horrendous here. You kind of have to ignore the fact that he can't hit a single note and it's objectively awful. That said, the jam is what this version is about and it's all that's advertised here and more.
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