headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+24543


Submissions

29
Candyman
Dec. 15, 1986
Oakland Coliseum Arena

Must hear b/c it's Jerry's first show back after the coma...crowd goes INSANE on "won't you tell everybody you meet that the Candyman's in town!"
14
Walking the Dog
April 8, 1985
The Spectrum

Midnite Hour>WTD>Big Boss Man to open the show-Wow!; Walkin' worth it just to hear Jerry sustain the vocal on "Pretty maids all in a Roooooooowww!"
9
I Need A Miracle
Jan. 10, 1979
Nassau Coliseum

Flawless deliver by Weir followed by extended, bluesy, gritty Garcia jam
80
Greatest Story Ever Told
Sept. 28, 1972
Stanley Theatre

Greatest STEPHEN ever Told. Jerry rips into a "St.Stephen" jam in the bridge jam before the reprise. 2d only to 8/27
37
Dark Star
Oct. 25, 1969
Winterland Arena

For those who don't care for the feedback/chase dog from the room DS's...this one is jazzy, jammy, rockin', & beautiful. No distortion; none needed

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.