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

Terrapin Station
March 24, 1988
Omni Coliseum

Agreed. Also please don't overlook the "Candyman" from this show--one of the all-time best, if not THE best.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Feb. 3, 1979
Market Square Arena

Upon further review...this version needs more votes. I've known it for years but possibly downplayed its headiness b/c there's no pristine SBD available, but the AUD source is excellent and the version needs to be heard to be believed. The "Scarlet" contains maybe the best bridge jam ever prior to "wind in the willows", and the "Fire" is just that, plus Jerry actually nails all the lyrics. Really spectacular, especially given that it's one of the last Keith & Donna versions ever.
Jack Straw
April 6, 1987
Meadowlands Arena

Had to bump this one a bit. Where the hell has it been hiding all these years? Billy & Mickey simply own this version. The others are great (Phil especially), but the drummers are driving this train for sure. Yee-Ow.
Eyes Of The World
Oct. 17, 1994
Madison Square Garden

Along with Charlotte 3/91 and Branford at Nassau '90 this must be included in any "best of" post-90's version. Jerry's voice is also surprisingly strong on this also & the jamming is just forever. Really top notch.
Playin' In The Band
Aug. 27, 1972
Old Renaissance Faire Grounds

All of what's said above, but most of all PRISTINE, which really is the mark of what may be the most just-exactly perfect show the band ever played. (And I say that as a '77 die-hard fan whose personal all-time favorite show is 10/29/77. But assessing objectively, 8/27/72 is the best. This PITB is spellbinding.
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