headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

51
Bertha
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

Sweet bass drop-ins by Phil on intro; extended Garcia solos in bridge jam; very intense and fun
49
Jack Straw
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

There are longer versions, but none has a better bridge jam than this one. My favorite version ever--must listen!
88
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Feb. 24, 1974
Winterland Arena

Hard-charging drumming from Billy leads the way. Best MLB jam in this pairing I've ever heard. Hard to believe it wasn't listed yet.
37
Cassidy
Oct. 12, 1983
Madison Square Garden

Intense build-up jam, perfect touch-down. Weir absolutely nails it. My favorite version all-time
21
Shakedown Street
Jan. 10, 1979
Nassau Coliseum

Laser-focused, perfect rendition, start to finish. Super-funky with awesome Jerry fuzz-guitar, rock-blues jamming post-vocals
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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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