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

Cassidy
July 3, 1978
St. Paul Civic Center Arena

Yes! (Turns out, though, that they were intentionally forgetting to sing at the end on a bunch of '78 versions (see 4/24/78 and 5/14/78 as two other examples that, like this one, are excellent nonetheless.)
Bertha
May 5, 1978
Thompson Arena - Dartmouth College

Love the slower, groovier tempo...reminiscent (though not rising to the same level of headiness) as 10/29/77...but very good nonetheless,,,this whole show gets overlooked for some reason. Check out the Miller SBD and most certainly the "Eyes" from this show,
Stir It Up
March 21, 1991
Capital Centre

^^^^You're 100% right. I was just playing this one the other day and marveling at how good it is. I was at the Hampton show when they broke it out in the 80s and it was a blast for the novelty of it but this version tears that one to shreds. They really work the theme here, taking the time to let it wind up and develop and then when they get into the meat of the jam they just give it the perfect tempo/reggae feel treatment and it shines. A way underappreciated gem that deserves a whole lot more votes, especially given how few versions there are. This needs to get into double digits or we're guilty of ignoring an inspired reading of a tune that was a real and rare treat.
It Must Have Been The Roses
Oct. 12, 1983
Madison Square Garden

There's a lot from this show that gets overlooked. (The Cassidy most egregiously. Far better than many higher on the list), But this Roses deserves some love too.
Cosmic Charlie
July 16, 1976
Orpheum Theatre

The more I listen the more I love it. Quiet in all the right parts; mellow but deep and confident reading. One of Donna's better tunes and one of her finest versions right here. Ups.