headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+24543


Submissions

13
Brother Esau
Oct. 28, 1985
Fox Theater

Complete with kickin' cow bell, nice long intro, easily one of the best you'll find.
13
Run Run Rudolph
Dec. 7, 1971
Felt Forum, Madison Square Garden

Give it a spin before Santa comes...Pig does Chuck Berry and Kris Kringle proud!
11
U.S. Blues (Wave That Flag)
Sept. 11, 1974
Alexandra Palace

DP Vol. 7 in London...special hard-core ROCK&ROLL kick-ass version, as if to remind the good folks across the Pond what happened 200 years earlier.
5
The Wheel
May 1, 1981
Hampton Coliseum

Like every song in this vastly underrated show: Just Exactly Perfect.
28
Beat it on Down The Line
Feb. 28, 1973
Salt Palace

Normally not a song I take much notice of...but Keith just takes over this puppy and turns it into a rollicking good time!

Comments

Wharf Rat
Dec. 31, 1978
Winterland Arena

Great Rat, and a fine show that somehow gets overlooked. They closed the rink in fine form.
Cassidy
April 24, 1978
Horton Field House - Illinois State University

Notable for absence of lyrics "flight of the seabirds" at the end, but the jam itself wraps up beautifully. I'd say this is the best pre-80's version before they started adding the "extra" middle jam that made versions like 10/12/83 so magnificent.
Shakedown Street
Sept. 10, 1991
Madison Square Garden

Just became acquainted with this one. Branford shines & funk ensues.
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
Dec. 10, 1971
Fox Theatre

Ho-lee-smokes!!! gdtrfb, thanks a ton for this recommendation--the China Cat lick prior to the goin' jam is just beyond tasty. These kinds of hidden gems are just what I come to heady versions for!!!!
Dire Wolf
June 27, 1969
Veterans Auditorium

Def. my fave...Bobby actually sings it great w/nice country twang...can't beat Jerry's pedal steel sound.