headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

29
Candyman
Dec. 15, 1986
Oakland Coliseum Arena

Must hear b/c it's Jerry's first show back after the coma...crowd goes INSANE on "won't you tell everybody you meet that the Candyman's in town!"
14
Walking the Dog
April 8, 1985
The Spectrum

Midnite Hour>WTD>Big Boss Man to open the show-Wow!; Walkin' worth it just to hear Jerry sustain the vocal on "Pretty maids all in a Roooooooowww!"
9
I Need A Miracle
Jan. 10, 1979
Nassau Coliseum

Flawless deliver by Weir followed by extended, bluesy, gritty Garcia jam
80
Greatest Story Ever Told
Sept. 28, 1972
Stanley Theatre

Greatest STEPHEN ever Told. Jerry rips into a "St.Stephen" jam in the bridge jam before the reprise. 2d only to 8/27
37
Dark Star
Oct. 25, 1969
Winterland Arena

For those who don't care for the feedback/chase dog from the room DS's...this one is jazzy, jammy, rockin', & beautiful. No distortion; none needed
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Comments

Dark Star
April 8, 1972
Wembley Empire Pool

Have only just come around to appreciating this one...the first 12 mins. leading up to the first verse are simply beautiful...it's jazz to meditate to and luxuriate in...the rest of the journey gets deeper into harder driving themes but as has been mentioned in these comments never deviates into ear-splitting dissonant cacophony--which is a good thing. Then you get that sublime segue into Sugar Mag and, wow, those lucky Brits got to hear one of the all-timers.
Playin' In The Band
Nov. 25, 1973
Feyline Field

Did they ever perform a bad version of this song in 1973? I have my doubts but even in a sea of goodness this one deserves some love for its spacey-jazzy consistency.
St. Stephen
April 23, 1969
The Ark

@spaced and @donnyraindoc Go check out 10/29/77 before you decide there are no Stephens past '71 worth exploring.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Sept. 24, 1972
Palace Theatre

THis one's all about the incredible segue of "Dark Star Jam" leading flawlessly/seamlessly into the opening notes of China Cat...the version that follows is pretty freaking great also...maybe shave half a point off for not the best SBD quality, but that has nothing to do w/the quality of the performance...they didn't start China Cat coming out of other songs very often, but this, along with the HCS>China Cat from 2/17/73 are the best I've ever heard.
Row Jimmy
Feb. 28, 1973
Salt Palace

Listen to Jerry's flow-like-a-river first solo. How smooth is that? A rare mid-tempo "not too fast and not too slow" version that needs much more love.
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