headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+24543


Submissions

4
Ramble On Rose
Dec. 30, 1977
Winterland Arena

Faster than usual tempo with just a brilliant Jerry bridge jam and no missed lyrics make this one a not-to-be-missed version.
14
The Other One
May 18, 1977
Fox Theatre

Not sure why everyone ignores '77 versions, but you're missing out if you haven't heard this one. Power packed Jerry-led fury.
4
Spanish Jam
May 21, 1995
Sam Boyd Silver Bowl

In the band's worst year they somehow came up with a really short but spot-on SJ that emerges nicely out of space. Ignore the date-check out the tune.
4
It Must Have Been The Roses
March 13, 1981
Utica Coliseum

Seek out the SBD (unknown lineage) then bask in what's possibly the best-sung, most heartfelt & lovely "Roses" ever.
54
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
May 11, 1977
St. Paul Civic Center Arena

It's criminal that this hasn't made the list yet. Like super-smooth '77 versions? You MUST hear this.
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Comments

Cold Rain and Snow
May 24, 1972
Strand Lyceum

Time I upvoted this. It's not my favorite all time (see 10/12/83 for that) but as it's been noted in the comments here, this version is vocally superior and just so very polished. Exceptional version.
Mexicali Blues
March 9, 1993
Rosemont Horizon

Still not a tune I love but true that these 90s versions go the extra mile compared with the mostly throw-aways of the 80s (and 70s too if we're being honest.) Similar additions in the jamming to tunes like El Paso,(the acoustic guitar change-over was a nice touch) Big RR Blues, & Promised Land made many early 90s versions more interesting than some of the older ones.
Cassidy
May 14, 1978
Providence Civic Center

Like 4/24/78 this one ends on an intense rolling jam that pulls into the final coda without Weir adding the last "flight of the seabirds" line, and it's almost better for it. This and the aforementioned 4/24 may be the two best versions in the era before they expanded the song with longer jam sections around '82-'83. It's also beautifully sung and less rushed than its early 80s counterparts. Higher ranking, please!
Althea
June 18, 1983
Saratoga Performing Arts Center

It's because there's no clean SBD available. A lot of great shows suffer low ratings for the same reason. Great show and version, though.
The Eleven
April 20, 1969
Clark University

Whole show is an under the radar gem. Don't miss the Dark Star from this one either.
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