headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

10
Black Peter
Sept. 25, 1981
Stabler Arena

After 10/29/77 this should be your go-to BP. Emotion oozes and Jer shreds the outro.
11
Beat it on Down The Line
March 22, 1990
Copps Coliseum

A breezy bouncin' bubbly Bobby Beat it...best of the 90's.
8
El Paso
March 27, 1972
Academy of Music

Jerry in serious bluegrass mode. Most country-westernized version ever. At the end Phil sez "Thanks, Texans" even tho' they're in NYC. Awesome version
23
Let It Grow
Sept. 19, 1990
Madison Square Garden

Hornsby gets on board in a big way & Jerry jazzes up the jam sections. Weir slashes away & sings w/passion. Strong candidate for Best of the 90's.
4
Desolation Row
April 17, 1987
Irvine Meadows

This song was only as good as Bobby was committed to it, and on this night he was 100% in Dylan-idoling mode. Gorgeous rendeition, lovingly sung.

Comments

Big River
Sept. 17, 1972
Baltimore Civic Center

A perfect, compact, not-a-note wasted ripping version. Keith and Jerry both tear it up, while Bob, Phil and Mickey keep the rhythm charging along. Pull out the DP version or archive-listen, but either way give this one so more well deserved love.
Eyes Of The World
Sept. 14, 1974
Olympiahalle

Nicely jammed '74 that stands out mostly because it segues into One More Saturday Night.
Promised Land
Aug. 27, 1972
Old Renaissance Faire Grounds

I have my issues with Donnie's at times overly critical grousing about certain versions and his subsequent questioning of people's Deadhead credentials as a result, but on this one I'm firmly in his corner and NOT just because I nominated the version he's backing. I'm at a total loss as to how anyone can seriously and objectively hear the 4 minute Veneta version...which sounds nearly identical to just about any other 4 minute version from '72 that's out there...and then listen to the jammed out, high octane, all-in completely barn burner version from 9/18/90 with the extra factor of Hornsby bringing color and flash and flourish to the whole damn thing, and not conclude that MSG is the superior version. Sorry, folks, but Donnie's straight up right on this one. Promised land from Veneta is good, it's nice, it's Veneta after all. But it's just like every other '72, which is to say, by the numbers, predictable, and with far less to offer than the show stopper that is 9/18/90.
Casey Jones
May 2, 1970
Harpur College

One of those "just assumed it was already there" versions. Yes, a winnner, as this tune was still in its fresh live stages and from one of the great shows of all time it's a can't miss.
It Must Have Been The Roses
May 4, 1977
The Palladium

They just don't make em like this anymore. And btw this whole show is every bit as good as all the A list of dates that come after and overshadow it...unfairly, really.