headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+24543


Submissions

31
Let It Grow
Oct. 2, 1977
Paramount Theatre

The most "Spanish-flavored" of LIG's, evokes old southwest almost Mariachi vibe. Brilliant Garcia changes-Rise&Fall!
25
Althea
May 6, 1980
Rec Hall, Penn State U

Recent Road Trips release is a perfecto: Outstanding vocals from Jerry and a jam after the lyrics that grooves and rocks super-hard. 5-star version!
46
Deep Elem Blues
May 2, 1970
Harpur College

Jerry's voice just exactly bluesy perfect...groovy & slow acoustic cadence & the boys harmonizing sweetly on the chrouses. Outstanding early version
30
Box of Rain
March 20, 1986
Hampton Coliseum

A+ for the crowd alone. Are there better ones? Of course. But I was there & the ecstacy after 14 years of no Box makes this version legendary.
15
Mississippi Halfstep Uptown Toodeloo
Sept. 18, 1990
Madison Square Garden

Astonishingly strong Jerry vocals, especially given the year, and some of the prettiest Hornsby-led fills make this one a real great sleeper pick.
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Comments

Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
May 26, 1977
Baltimore Civic Center

Barn burner for sure. Best of the year is still 6/8/77 but this one comes close.
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
May 26, 1977
Baltimore Civic Center

Barn burner for sure. Best of the year is still 6/8/77 but this one comes close.
Shakedown Street
Aug. 31, 1978
Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Sounds almost like the album version but indeed very tight, short, and sweet. Not up voting only b/c I don't think being first necessarily means "heady", but for sheer historical interest this is fun to hear.
Shakedown Street
Jan. 10, 1979
Nassau Coliseum

One of the better AUDs you'll ever hear is available for this killer '79 that I can't in good faith let linger at 2 measly votes. Don't tell me this one ain't got no heart, you just gotta poke around. Trust.
Dark Star
March 23, 1972
Academy of Music

Struggled with whether to upvote this given a fairly heavy section devoted to dissonance but it's not as annoying as most and actually maintains a forward progression rather than slowing down the proceedings and the jams that emerge, as many have pointed out already are spectacular and unique among Dark Stars of this or any era. Ultimately it's an underrated version with a closing section just before the 2d verse that needs to be heard to be believed. +1
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