headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

19
Satisfaction
Oct. 10, 1982
Frost Amphitheatre

Weir: "We know we aint gonna get no satisfaction but we're gonna give it a try...You can scream& twist & beg & cry!"
71
Let It Grow
May 1, 1981
Hampton Coliseum

Lightning quick yet totally on-track riffs from Jerry; intense, powerful version. Weir 100% into it. Segues into killer Deal. Trust me. Must hear.
51
Tennessee Jed
Oct. 10, 1982
Frost Amphitheatre

Perfect wind up, pitch & strike down the middle. I've yet to hear a better one, though I'll try some of the recs here. Til then.....
29
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
June 8, 1977
Winterland Arena

From one of the greatest shows ever, a bring the house down killer. Keith w/perfect piano exc. point!
43
Althea
May 1, 1981
Hampton Coliseum

Perfect groove and massive push from Phil post-lyrics
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Comments

Dark Star
Oct. 18, 1974
Winterland Arena

Maybe it's the superior clarity of sound from the movie soundtrack, but more likely it's just the ethereal jazz presentation that permeates this Dark Star from beginning to end that has vaulted it into my Top 3 all time grouping. There isn't any Tighten Up or MLB jam here but don't let that deter you. They explore some unique improv avenues and just glide along seamlessly in the process. Garcia sings gorgeously here too. Flawless version. Depending on my mood, sometimes best of the best.
Loser
March 24, 1990
Knickerbocker Arena

Neck and neck forever with Ventura '84 as best ever, this one on repeated listening always wins by a nose. The solo Garcia nails here is both technically amazing and an emotional tsunami, and as stated by Mdempste the crowd and band know it feed the energy right back. Garcia's vocals here are very much like Ventura in that smokey, gravely hard blues vein but it doesn't stop him from belting out the lyrics. Btw, to Storyteller, if you ever find that version that's your favorite, please let me know, because I've yet to find any that matches this or Ventura but I love this song and am very curious to hear any that merits the highest praise.
Bird Song
Dec. 12, 1972
Winterland Arena

^^^^ Love that "mini Dark Star" description. Totally agree, especially when it comes to the '72-'73 versions. This is worthy of upvote with so many others. For the most Dark-Star-ish version ever check out 6/22/73.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Oct. 2, 1972
Springfield Civic Center

This is winner on every level and the Miller source as noted is just killer, with lots of clarity and punch. You can almost sense an approach to the MLB jam, as it's late '72 and they'd start incorporating that bridge in '73. But even with its absence there's a good bit of Garcia exploring different peaks and valleys before transitioning into Rider. Very nice indeed.
Uncle John's Band
Sept. 27, 1972
Stanley Theatre

jbrucer is right, This sounds so much better via archive sources. Jerry's guitar really comes alive and the jamming here is surprisingly raucous for a '72 version. Just amazing. Hot middle jam & outro as well. Great rendition
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