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.
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Comments

Tennessee Jed
May 7, 1977
Boston Garden

Can't believe it wasn't here already. Great Jed from a legendary show.
When Push Comes to Shove
Aug. 11, 1987
Red Rocks Amphitheatre

One of those songs everyone seemed down on back in the day but in hindsight, when you find versions in which Jerry sings it with gusto & doesn't muck up the words, it's pretty damn great. This version delivers it all, with a nice, hot jam section punctuated by great rolling Brent piano fills. Up it. (I'm gonna listen to some other versions on this list as well. As Donnie notes on another listing , this song isn't getting the respect it deserves.)
Bird Song
July 15, 1984
Greek Theatre - University of California

I'm a '72-'73 snob when it comes to this tune and often scoff at any 80s version being mentioned in the same company (mostly b/c Jerry's vocals are just painful when he tries to hit the high notes), but this is so spectacular it can hang with nearly any of the vintage year Bird Songs, and somehow, despite the year, Garcia actually sings it well! The jam is a palette of sound and color and imagination that rewards multiple listening. Another diamond found in the rough of a tough year.
Ramble On Rose
July 15, 1984
Greek Theatre - University of California

Just outstanding vocals from Jerry here. Man, he was out of it a lot in '84, but when he was IN IT, he was electrifying. This version is all about growling vocals, commitment to each verse and line, and a pretty damn fine bridge jam thrown in for good measure. As noted above, check out "Goodbye Momma & Papa..." Dang.
Pretty Peggy O
Jan. 18, 1978
Stockton Civic Auditorium

Her CrackStraw, I was once there with this song. Never disliked it, just never gave it much thought. These days, it's one of my favorites. Good thing is there are so many really outstanding versions....they always played this song beautifully, especially in 1977. I'd check out nearly any '77 from the top tier of this list--I'll just throw out one right now: 5/5/77, and if nothing else marvel at Jerry's solos in the instrumental sections. It's Wes Montgomery jazz worthy stuff. Jerry also seemed to love the "story" of this song, and rarely messed up the words, which is funny, considering the multiple verses. Anyway, hope you find one or a hundred you like.
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