headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

10
Black Peter
Sept. 25, 1981
Stabler Arena

After 10/29/77 this should be your go-to BP. Emotion oozes and Jer shreds the outro.
11
Beat it on Down The Line
March 22, 1990
Copps Coliseum

A breezy bouncin' bubbly Bobby Beat it...best of the 90's.
8
El Paso
March 27, 1972
Academy of Music

Jerry in serious bluegrass mode. Most country-westernized version ever. At the end Phil sez "Thanks, Texans" even tho' they're in NYC. Awesome version
23
Let It Grow
Sept. 19, 1990
Madison Square Garden

Hornsby gets on board in a big way & Jerry jazzes up the jam sections. Weir slashes away & sings w/passion. Strong candidate for Best of the 90's.
4
Desolation Row
April 17, 1987
Irvine Meadows

This song was only as good as Bobby was committed to it, and on this night he was 100% in Dylan-idoling mode. Gorgeous rendeition, lovingly sung.
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Comments

Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Nov. 30, 1980
Fox Theatre

In terms solely regarding TRANSITION into FIRE this is a top 3 all-time. The rest is very good.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
April 14, 1971
Davis Gym, Bucknell University

Great early power version. Garcia especially shines and the origins of what would become the best known transition jam are evident.
Beat it on Down The Line
March 18, 1967
Winterland Arena

Surfer punk indeed!! Jerry does a rolling riff near the end of the tune that is so fluid and perfect it makes you shake your your head yet again at how many different styles this band could master!
The Music Never Stopped
Oct. 1, 1977
Paramount Theatre

After further review: The best.
Bird Song
March 22, 1973
Utica Memorial Auditorium

Shares many of the spacey, Dark-Star-like elements as PNE Coliseum 3 months later (that one is still the gold standard), but this version deserves far more attention/listening and votes. Soaring, dreamlike Birdsong.
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