headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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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
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Comments

So Many Roads
July 9, 1995
Soldier Field

@Younghead: Thank you for a very thoughtful and moving post. I don't really have anything to say about this show, or even this song (which truth to tell I never really cared for), but you summed up quite eloquently the state of the band and the man in the end days. I think all of us here remember him the way he was when he was good--and when he was good, there was no one better.
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
June 17, 1976
Capitol Theater

Really sweet. Two nights later (6/19/76) is also a winner!
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Dec. 12, 1980
Swing Auditorium

Really time to give this version more love & votes. Klaussmith prefers the AUD; I am more partial to the SBD--neither are perfect but that should not stop you from listening to and thoroughly enjoying this awesome version. Either source is more than worthy. The Mountain Jam tease is way cool, but that's not the only thing that makes this rendition a top pick. The jamming is fluid and rockin' and while lots of China>Riders lose their steam once they get into "Rider", this one charges ahead at full speed and doesn't let up. Outstanding stuff.
Playin' In The Band
Feb. 22, 1973
Assembly Hall, University of Illinois

Roaring acid-jazz version. Jerry just never lets up. Definitely for those in the mood for a more raucous performance and fewer mellow moments, but it's a tour de force for sure and worthy of the best from this (or any) year.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
July 1, 1985
Merriweather Post Pavilion

@AMDew: Agreed. Even though this is not a "top" version for me (not much in '85 is), I think Copps '90 is grossly overrated, at least as ranked here. No way does it beat out so many of the late 70's early 80's versions that appear far lower on this list. (Guess i'm really not a fan of Jerry's MIDI jams, which really define the Copps version.)
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