headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

23
Jack Straw
May 10, 1978
Veterans' Memorial Coliseum

From DP 25, Opens show at New Haven. Takes no prisoners. Extra shot of Jerry heading in bridge jam. Kinda surprised it's not on a list of 90+ Straws
7
Samson and Delilah
April 8, 1978
Veterans Memorial Coliseum

Shame on me for not submitting this earlier. Insane ripper to open 2nd set; Phil OWNS this version. Pause for nothing-- Listen NOW. Thank me l8r ;-)
30
Not Fade Away
Dec. 29, 1977
Winterland Arena

Latvala from "Grate" Beyond reminds of his Winterland pick: The Best. Jer rips holes in Universe; Drummers pummel; Listen to "drive me BACK" line!
7
Samson and Delilah
Dec. 5, 1979
Uptown Theater

Possibly best-ever of the Brent era. Bob preaches fire & brimstone and Jerry shreds the living daylights out of every jam. Serious MUST listen version
20
Shakedown Street
Dec. 5, 1979
Uptown Theater

A funk-laden but more laid-back, groovier vibe marks this excellent entry from Chicago. Notable for A+ vocals & harmonies and Bobby shines in end jam!
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Comments

Franklin's Tower
April 19, 1987
Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre

I was at this one too, and yeah, it's time this Irvine Easter run got some love. This is a nice, bright, peppy and confident Franklin's as Jerry is starting to get his chops back post-coma and having fun again. There's a very nice Row Jimmy from this run of shows and an excellent Desolation Row as well.
Sugaree
Dec. 28, 1978
Golden Hall, Community Concourse

Great fanning by Garcia in the jam before the final verse. Upvote worthy even if it doesnt knock any of the iconic '77s from their perches.
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
Aug. 22, 1972
Berkeley Community Theatre

OK, Garcia, now you're just showing off. (It's true that this version is perfect. And the solo before the final verse is not of this earthly realm.)
The Other One
Nov. 5, 1977
Community War Memorial Auditorium

Zounds. A perfect, power-packed 11+ minutes of '77 Other One glory sittin' in single digits on the big board. For shame. This rendition is a monster version for any era. Grab your copy of DP #34 or archive this beast now and see if you don't come running back to upvote. In particular the charge led into the second verse is a 5-minute microcosm of the Dead at their best led by--who else?--Garcia in a fury of guitar jam magic.
Cold Rain and Snow
Aug. 25, 1972
Berkeley Community Theatre

Had they played this song at Veneta 2 days later this exact version would be ranked up in the top 5. Because it's "hidden" in the show that gets overshadowed by the legendary one to follow it lingers down in the basement. That's unfortunate and undeserved. This is as beautiful a rendition as you'll find in '72 with lots of vocal commitment on the "winds don't blow" and other similar sections. Confident, relaxed musical reading punctuated by howling Garcia vocals. Five star stuff here.
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