headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Books and Music

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Submissions

6
Candyman
Oct. 28, 1977
Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Hall

There's a Betty Board of this one available. And it's gorgeous. What's stopping you?
9
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Dec. 27, 1982
Oakland Auditorium

Seek out the CM SBD (2d set only). This is a fine combo w/Brent & Jer driving Scarlet & Phil prominent in Fire. '82 was a sweet year for S>F!
7
The Other One
Oct. 12, 1977
Manor Downs

Another roaring out of the gate and sustained thereafter 01 that should not be ignored. '77 had its great share & this is one of 'em. Heavy on Phil!
9
Brown Eyed Women
Oct. 4, 1981
Rainbow Theater

While I prefer the 1977 BEWs overall this one is excellent for its speed & precision & Jerry nailing all the lyrics w/ gusto! Don't overlook this gem!
4
Cold Rain and Snow
Oct. 4, 1981
Rainbow Theater

The overlooked European tour. Love Jer's voice for this song in '81.Hangs an extra vocal note or 2 on the chilly winds don't blow refrain. Great stuff
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Comments

Estimated Prophet
Feb. 3, 1978
Dane County Coliseum

This is a great version but in defense of '77 I must point out that the soloing and especially outro jams on Estimated started to get stretched out on the fall tour. 10/29/77 offers a pretty good example.
The Wheel
April 19, 1982
Baltimore Civic Center

100% agree. Perfect show that only seems to get props for the joyous weirdness of the space but really virtually every song is tour de force, this Wheel no exception. My favorite Estimated and Brokedown are from this show as well.
Playin' In The Band
Oct. 20, 1974
Winterland Arena

I actually prefer this one to the more sought-after 1/2 hour version from earlier in this Winterland run (on 10/16). This is a trippy yet still jazzy exploration into mellow/gooey territory, while the whole band attacks the vocal sections with gusto and precision. The sandwich middle is tasty too and there's a long, flowing rejoinder heading into the eventual reprise, This needs a little hike up the vote ladder.
Dire Wolf
Nov. 6, 1977
Broome County Arena

So easy to overlook good versions of this song b/c it's so short and --for a Dead tune-- fairly uniform. But the standouts deserve attention and this is one of them from a monster show of the '77 fall tour.
Stella Blue
Oct. 17, 1974
Winterland Arena

I also love this one because nobody (i.e. Donna) ruins the "shine" chorus after Jerry dusts off those rusty strings just one more time. In fact, no one repeats the "shine" line and it's so much better for the omission. Instead it's all about the beauty of the tune and Jer's magnificent solo to follow. Too many pre-Brent versions (even in the golden year of '77) were marred by the off-key back up chorus, but not this one. I didn't mind in the 80's when Brent joined in, because his voice was perfect for the back-up, but this is one where the tune breathes and succeeds from a "less is more" approach.
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