headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

grendel

Books and Music

+24543


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!

Comments

Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
June 7, 1991
Deer Creek Music Center

^^^ With 5 stars being the best, this is a 4-star version easily. If you're grading on a curve and taking into account the post-90's decline, you could bump it to 4 1/2 and I wouldn't complain. I'm a true believer for this version.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
June 7, 1991
Deer Creek Music Center

Take maybe a half point off for Jerry's typically croaky '91 vocals, but musically, this is a delight. As noted, Hornsby goes jazz jam all over this version...he's clearly adding color and filling space in ways that are truly rare...this happens in both the meat of Scarlet, the transition to Fire, and while Jerry takes over in Fire as the stand-out, Bruce doesn't miss a beat in providing the perfect back-drop. I'm really hard to please when it comes to nearly anything post-1990 so believe me when I say this version can stand proud with many at or near the top of this list. At the very least it deserves to have more than 20 votes, but sits under-appreciated at 12 as I write this, including the one I just added. Let's up this puppy, please.
Fire On The Mountain
July 13, 1985
Ventura County Fairgrounds

^^^Well acquainted with the story being here in the Green Mountain State. Assuming you are as well? VT Dead Heads unite!
Fire On The Mountain
July 13, 1985
Ventura County Fairgrounds

^^^ Stone Hut up on Mt. Mansfield? If so, yes, it will return!
Samson and Delilah
Dec. 31, 1976
Cow Palace

It's really grown on me and mostly because it's so different than the familiar versions that would follow in 1977 and stay basically the same thereafter...the funky loping intro in this one is so perfect and they don't miss a beat getting into it and Bobby is just roaring out the vocals. Top 3 for me.