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

Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
Aug. 6, 1982
St. Paul Civic Center

For true, and Brent is doing those sweeping flourishes for a great, peppy '82. Source provided is also one of the better AUDs I've heard from this year. This GDTRFB is indeed a smoker that's gone unnoticed til now and could use some bump.
Dark Star
Feb. 5, 1969
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium

Excellent go-to when you want a faster paced, compact jam vehicle for Garcia to show off his signature late 60's grunge riffs. A version that deserves more attention and probably doesn't get it for its shorter length, but really packs a great punch and flows beautifully as well. Great recommend.
Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
July 12, 1989
RFK Stadium

Haven't heard a better one, mostly because Phil doesn't try to overextend himself vocally and setttles into a nice Dylan-esque range to deliver a great reading.
Touch of Grey
July 12, 1989
RFK Stadium

Can really only hope the new box set exposure shoots this one up the ladder. Totally clean version, energetic Garcia vocals and the band isn't missing a beat. This is far better than many others sitting above it right now (some, for reasons of sentiment and context like 12-15-86, which is fine), but others for no objective reason at all other than poor aud recordings only available prior to the official release. But listen to the new cd any way you can and then come back and get this one higher on the big board, please. (Whole 1st set from this show is magnificent).
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
June 22, 1974
Jai-Alai Fronton

Very impressed with this more relaxed, gently wavy version with some really pretty passages not normally seen in ChinaRiders of '74. Check out the jam heading into the third verse. A little gem of laid back jazz that doesn't miss a beat but really flows along, and the transition jam follows the same pattern. If most great '74 versions are blazing fastballs, this one's like a perfect knuckle curve. Upping it for sure.
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