headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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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

Comments

Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
April 20, 1984
Philadelphia Civic Center

Just a note that if you haven't checked out this version yet ( and you frankly should) there's never been a better time because there's a newly re-mastered Charlie Miller SBD up on the archive that makes this monster sound better than ever. You won't be disappointed.
The Other One
Feb. 13, 1970
Fillmore East

As wit the DS that precedes it this O1 is as notable for what it doesn't do as what it does...I.e. It never breaks down into screechy feedback territory and is devoted almost totally to jamming instead and it's fantastic jamming at that. The only deviation is a drum duet that isn't overly long and fits nicely into the overall piece. Great. Stuff.
Cosmic Charlie
Jan. 16, 1970
Springer's Inn Portland

Can't believe just catching on to this show now. Great mellow Cosmic.
Dire Wolf
Jan. 16, 1970
Springer's Inn Portland

Absolutely the best version I've ever heard full of country twang and Jerry in great voice . He also sez before it starts "here's one you can sing along to, a little paranoid fantasy..." Just an amazingly excellent version from a show I never heard of. Gonna check out the rest for sure.
Franklin's Tower
Sept. 29, 1977
Paramount Theatre

Agree it's not in legendary territory but seems about right for where it is on this list.