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

China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Dec. 29, 1977
Winterland Arena

Rock on, Dannydread...glad we're all enjoying the ride ;-)
Feelin' Groovy Jam
Oct. 2, 1972
Springfield Civic Center

Simply stunning portion of music that's only a little bit of Feelin Groovy but a whole lot of awesome coming out of the NFBM section. One of those just exactly perfect bridges of music that occurs spontaneously and could be done by no one but The Grateful Dead. Way under the radar stuff here that needs more ears.
Eyes Of The World
Nov. 17, 1973
Pauley Pavilion - University of California

Light and airy with a free flowing liquid jazz line throughout, but the bonus, as mentioned, of a really tight outro section. I'm more impressed with this section of the show, with this Eyes as the highlight, than I am with the more popular UJB>Playin section.
Eyes Of The World
Feb. 15, 1973
Dane County Coliseum

I have to agree with Summerraven that while the beginning segments of this version are lovely and flowing and as pretty as any the band has ever performed the outro material really drags and it's understandable, given that this song is barely on its feet live at this point. I'm OK with it being a top 15-20 version but not in the top 10 for that reason.
Wharf Rat
April 22, 1978
Nashville Municipal Auditorium

A few more spins via the DaP release has made me a believer. Well sung by Jerry but also the band as a whole is punctuating all the right benchmarks, hitting a heavy flourish after a particular line and dialing back when needed just so. There's also a run of notes Jerry plays in one of the big jam sections about 8 minutes in that's unique to any version I've heard. Definitely deserves its high ranking here. In other words, I've changed my tune on this version.
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