headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

19
Satisfaction
Oct. 10, 1982
Frost Amphitheatre

Weir: "We know we aint gonna get no satisfaction but we're gonna give it a try...You can scream& twist & beg & cry!"
71
Let It Grow
May 1, 1981
Hampton Coliseum

Lightning quick yet totally on-track riffs from Jerry; intense, powerful version. Weir 100% into it. Segues into killer Deal. Trust me. Must hear.
51
Tennessee Jed
Oct. 10, 1982
Frost Amphitheatre

Perfect wind up, pitch & strike down the middle. I've yet to hear a better one, though I'll try some of the recs here. Til then.....
29
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
June 8, 1977
Winterland Arena

From one of the greatest shows ever, a bring the house down killer. Keith w/perfect piano exc. point!
43
Althea
May 1, 1981
Hampton Coliseum

Perfect groove and massive push from Phil post-lyrics
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Comments

Eyes Of The World
Feb. 3, 1978
Dane County Coliseum

I've been undervaluing this one for too long. Jerry's intro is endless and powerful and the in-between verses jams are deep deep deep! Maybe a point off for Jer's vocals, which are pretty weak and tepid in this version, but the jamming more than makes up for it.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
May 11, 1977
St. Paul Civic Center Arena

@rchoover88 Oh, believe me--I have it! Couldn't wait to have and hear this show in HDCD and so psyched it's here. Liner notes describe this version as "lighter than air" or something and that's pretty spot-on. This version just flows like a river. And wait til you get to 5/13 in ChiTown. Different vibe but also amazing.
Cosmic Charlie
June 4, 1976
Paramount Theatre

OK, where exactly has this version been hiding all this time? Vocally superior to any CC I've ever heard before. Sweet, mellow, beautifully played. Simply terrific little bridge jam in the middle before the coda featuring fluid Jerry and a gliding Keith (who also shines at the end). Spot-on choice and my new favorite.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Feb. 28, 1973
Salt Palace

Needed to bump this version after repeated recent listening of the DP release. SCORCHING jam section that loses nothing by omission of the feelin groovy jam...the intensity of the garcia riffs more than makes up for it, and the rendition of IKYR doesn't let up either. Exceptional reading of ChinaCat as well and very strong vocals from Jerry.
Dark Star
Feb. 26, 1973
Pershing Municipal Auditorium

The first 19 minutes of this Dark Star gets my vote as best, most musically gorgeous and "true jazz" version ever performed. Around the 11 minute mark Phil starts laying down a Miles Davis-like line that Bobby follows flawlessly and Jerry adds delicate touches to. Sadly, after the verse is sung at 19 minutes it denigrates into dissonant space-junk-scary-feedback ridiculousness (I realize this is blasphemy to many) and so I can't give it "best ever" status, but those first 19 minutes are so good I did add a vote to bump this one up the ladder.
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