headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

53
St. Stephen
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

With all due rfespect to Barton Hall & others, this is the best version out there (IMO). Bluesy, rockin', jammin', just exactly perfect
29
Candyman
Dec. 15, 1986
Oakland Coliseum Arena

Must hear b/c it's Jerry's first show back after the coma...crowd goes INSANE on "won't you tell everybody you meet that the Candyman's in town!"
14
Walking the Dog
April 8, 1985
The Spectrum

Midnite Hour>WTD>Big Boss Man to open the show-Wow!; Walkin' worth it just to hear Jerry sustain the vocal on "Pretty maids all in a Roooooooowww!"
9
I Need A Miracle
Jan. 10, 1979
Nassau Coliseum

Flawless deliver by Weir followed by extended, bluesy, gritty Garcia jam
80
Greatest Story Ever Told
Sept. 28, 1972
Stanley Theatre

Greatest STEPHEN ever Told. Jerry rips into a "St.Stephen" jam in the bridge jam before the reprise. 2d only to 8/27
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Comments

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.
The Music Never Stopped
Dec. 27, 1978
Golden Hall, Community Concourse

Blazing end coda, honestly one of the best I've ever heard. Before Jerry hits the second turn on a dime entry into the shift for the finale finale he and the rest of the band are doing a jam that sounds unique compared with almost any other rendition I can think of. Too bad there's not a perfect board but as stated above the Darst SBD does a pretty good job. Oughta be higher, really.
Row Jimmy
May 20, 1973
U.C.

Love the slightly more uptempo early versions (nothing tops 2/28/73 in that regard) along with a real country twang, both evident in this version. The jamming in between verses can't rival the best of '77-'78 but it's still quite sweet and Jerry sings this one nicely. Should get some love.
Big River
Nov. 25, 1979
Pauly Pavillion

Have a theory that this song was played so often people forget how damn great its played virtually every time. But even with a great selection of eras to choose from this '79 (from a generally overlooked show) shines brightly. Check out the nice, relaxed, lower register intro, followed by top notch individual jam sections (half a point off for Brent's tinkly Fisher Price keys, but he plays his section beautifully) & Garcia just does his thing in the final jam slot, taking no prisoners. Easy +1
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