headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

grendel

Books and Music

+24543


Submissions

49
Jack Straw
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

There are longer versions, but none has a better bridge jam than this one. My favorite version ever--must listen!
88
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Feb. 24, 1974
Winterland Arena

Hard-charging drumming from Billy leads the way. Best MLB jam in this pairing I've ever heard. Hard to believe it wasn't listed yet.
37
Cassidy
Oct. 12, 1983
Madison Square Garden

Intense build-up jam, perfect touch-down. Weir absolutely nails it. My favorite version all-time
21
Shakedown Street
Jan. 10, 1979
Nassau Coliseum

Laser-focused, perfect rendition, start to finish. Super-funky with awesome Jerry fuzz-guitar, rock-blues jamming post-vocals
12
Candyman
March 24, 1988
Omni Coliseum

Lucky enough to be at this show. Candyman blew everyone away--best song played that night. Awesome trippy guitar jam &Jer belts out vocals
show more submissions

Comments

Pretty Peggy O
April 14, 1978
Cassell Coliseum - Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

The solo on this one is just transcending, and a little bit longer than most. Instead of Jerry returning to the verse after the "high point" conclusion of his solo, he re-enters the gentle main theme for a bit, letting everyone settle down, before continuing on to the final 3 verses. Just extraordinary stuff.
Bertha
June 7, 1977
Winterland Arena

Needs to move up! Everything you want from a Bertha, and a perfect way to start a classic show
Jack Straw
Oct. 10, 1980
Warfield Theater

I don't care where this one ends up but it can't stay here (4 votes with mine just added.) This is a rip roaring version that builds to several peaks before the final Wichita verse comes crashing down. I know this show gets all its attention for the acoustic set but if you ignore this A+ electric JS it's truly your loss. I recommend the Matrix available... best sound around for a show with few high quality sound options. UP IT!
Dark Star
Jan. 17, 1969
Civic Auditorium

Yes! My favorite kind of Dark Star...more music, less dissonance. To each his own, but these more music-oriented '69 versions are my go-to's. (10/25/69 still my #1 fave,)
Terrapin Station
July 8, 1978
Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Great show & version indeed. Should be higher. 1/22/78 gets most of the attention from this year but this one's along the same lines.
show more comments
headyversion loves the dead but is in no way affiliated with The Grateful Dead or affiliated enterprises. find out more >:) >:)