headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

4
Ramble On Rose
Dec. 30, 1977
Winterland Arena

Faster than usual tempo with just a brilliant Jerry bridge jam and no missed lyrics make this one a not-to-be-missed version.
14
The Other One
May 18, 1977
Fox Theatre

Not sure why everyone ignores '77 versions, but you're missing out if you haven't heard this one. Power packed Jerry-led fury.
4
Spanish Jam
May 21, 1995
Sam Boyd Silver Bowl

In the band's worst year they somehow came up with a really short but spot-on SJ that emerges nicely out of space. Ignore the date-check out the tune.
4
It Must Have Been The Roses
March 13, 1981
Utica Coliseum

Seek out the SBD (unknown lineage) then bask in what's possibly the best-sung, most heartfelt & lovely "Roses" ever.
54
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
May 11, 1977
St. Paul Civic Center Arena

It's criminal that this hasn't made the list yet. Like super-smooth '77 versions? You MUST hear this.
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Comments

Playin' In The Band
May 4, 1977
The Palladium

Same as I said about the "Deal" from this show--so overlooked. This version gets out there w/out losing focus...not dissimilar to 5/17/77 but with its own signature sound.
Deal
May 4, 1977
The Palladium

One for the tune and one for the show. The always overshadowed by 5/7, 5/8 and 5/9 5/4/77 is a terrific show on par with that monster trio.
Fire On The Mountain
April 30, 1977
The Palladium

Underrated. Worth getting the official digital download version as the archive AUDs are of pretty poor quality.
Ramble On Rose
Dec. 30, 1983
Civic Auditorium

This is a scruffy around the edges version--both musically and vocally-- with Jerry's voice really pushing its limits but all the better for it. Indeed the pay-off is in the final "grass aint greener" stanza and Jer just lets the ripcord go. Awesome stuff and worthy of an upvote even if there are "cleaner" versions to be found.
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
April 5, 1971
Manhattan Center

This always feels like the "original" version to me, probably from so many repeated "Skull and Roses" spins back in the day. This particular version will always in my mind be paired w/NFA. I think there are many superior '77 versions but damn if this one doesn't have something special about it.
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