headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

78
Jack Straw
Oct. 20, 1984
Carrier Dome, Syracuse U

Crazy hard driving insanisty to end the first set. One of those jam segments that builds and builds and KABOOMS into final verse. Phil fans: a must
15
Stella Blue
April 19, 1982
Baltimore Civic Center

Sweet & melty....gorgeous harmonies from Brent.
81
Sugaree
Oct. 16, 1977
Louisiana State U

1977 was a helluva year for this song. I have no quarrel w/ 5/5, 5/19, or 5/21, but I think this one beats 'em all by a nose!
50
St. Stephen
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

With all due rfespect to Barton Hall & others, this is the best version out there (IMO). Bluesy, rockin', jammin', just exactly perfect
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!"
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Comments

Truckin'
April 26, 1983
The Spectrum

Might be the best I’ve heard from this year. Super tight rendition, great vocals (harmony too) and no lyrical botches. They nail the wind up section & Jerry follows with a brief but gritty and confident Nobody’s Fault riff. A+ and easy upvote....hoping it at least goes double digits w the official release
West L.A. Fadeaway
April 26, 1983
The Spectrum

Maybe unfairly comparing this to the gold standards of alpine ‘89 or Copps ‘90 but I find this version pretty weak overall. Jerry seems unsure of the lyrics & while he mostly gets it right he sounds like he’s just barely doing so. Jamming is nowhere near what it would become in later years....nice Brent contributions to give it some funk but not a standout to these ears.
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
April 26, 1983
The Spectrum

Great example of a speedy but superbly played version of the trio, which in this bring back year could often sound tepid or just plain sloppy not to mention littered with butchered lyrics. No worries here & the slipknot is a monster for any era.
It Must Have Been The Roses
April 26, 1983
The Spectrum

Great vocals on an ‘83 version of this beauty ballad? Surprise surprise but it’s true.
Fire On The Mountain
Sept. 16, 1978
Sphinx Theatre

Agree the Egypt shows are unfairly maligned & why I haven’t upvoted this version of Fire, which is one of my most listened to of all time, I have no idea. Spectacular version that also contains one of the best ever segue/intros, freed up from its pairing with Scarlet it starts with a totally different vibe and continues with grand work by Jerry & of course Phil...also leads into a sweet Iko. Overdue plus one here
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