headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+24543


Submissions

37
Promised Land
Sept. 18, 1990
Madison Square Garden

New #1 version--all time best. This is a stretched-out jam-fest for a song usually given the quick-off. Killer fills from Hornsby. MUST HEAR!
6
Sugar Magnolia
Sept. 25, 1981
Stabler Arena

Incredible Sugary-Mag Club sandwich: Sugar>BlackPeter>Round&Round>SSDD. Energy off the charts, and the SSDD starts spot-on the downbeat from R&R
13
Big River
July 31, 1974
Dillon Stadium

Scorcher start to finish. Keith comes up big, and Jerry goes ballistic in the final instrumental bridge. Check it out on Dave's Pix Vol. 2
45
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
June 19, 1976
Capitol Theatre

Just when you think you've heard 'em all...Peppy&Zippy yet tight HELP >groovy-spacedout Slip>killer jumping-Jerry-led Franklins. Must Hear!
44
Estimated Prophet
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

From the show that never stops giving--a spacey-jazzy-goeey-Wah-Wah-chunk-fest-of-Jerry.
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Comments

Bertha
March 27, 1993
Knickerbocker Arena

Not bad for a '93. Pretty good overall in fact, mellowish version, but tight.
Cold Rain and Snow
Oct. 12, 1984
Augusta Civic Center

Even though I submitted this one I agree with Donnie--it does NOT deserve to be #1 on this list. It's good, but not #1 good. The one I actually think belongs in the number one slot is another I submitted further down on this list: 10/12/83 at MSG, which I have no problem calling the best--being most powerful both vocally and in terms of raw instrumental gusto.
Sugaree
April 7, 1991
Orlando Arena

Never thought I'd find a Sugaree this good in 1991. Great jamming in between verses (nothing that rivals the monster '77 jams but excellent nonetheless especially for this era) and more varied contributions from the rest of the gang to fill out the edges. Great vocals from Jerry as well and no lyrical flubs, again perhaps a bit surprising given the year.
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
Aug. 13, 1975
Great American Music Hall

Yes, this needs more ups. It's uber rock n roll Jerry & the only reason I hadn't bumped it before is because I unfairly rate every version against the numero supremo (IMO) of 6/8/77 and while this doesn't rise to that level it's still damn good. +1
Eyes Of The World
Nov. 25, 1973
Feyline Field

Yeah, I'm jumping on board with this one, too. I've always loved this show but took it for granted that this EYES would already be widespread and known and seeing it still in the single digits made me realize I had to vote up. Great lengthy jazzy Jerry runs in between verses and some great workout of the outro material, and melding straight into WX Report. This is a great version even in a year chock full of them.
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