headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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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
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Comments

Box of Rain
Nov. 17, 1972
Century II Convention Hall

May be the best live version of a tune that, frankly, wonderful as it is, was almost never performed well on stage. (The studio version remains the standard.) But they nail all the lyrics here and Jerry has some sweet riffs. Phil still can't sing, though.
Wharf Rat
Oct. 14, 1977
Hofheinz Pavilion

This month and year was phenomenal for the Rat.
Uncle John's Band
Nov. 17, 1972
Century II Convention Hall

Since getting DaP11 I've been digging this version big time, and it gets better and better after each spin. It's played at a jaunty, peppy pace--a little moreso than most versions--and is really tight. The vocals are spot-on and the jam section before the final reprise is full of swagger and hot jammy goodness. Deserves to climb the ladder here!
Playin' In The Band
Sept. 21, 1972
The Spectrum

New appreciation for this one after recent multiple listenings. So many great versions from this year, but this one gets my upvote for Keith's contributions in the more mellow and thoughtful passages. This whole show is spectacular.
Eyes Of The World
Nov. 4, 1977
Cotterell Gym - Colgate University

Needs more bump-up. Jerry plays at ludicrous speed and yet it doesn't sound at all sloppy. A unique version for '77 and one that deserves to be in at least double digits on the big board.
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