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

Row Jimmy
April 12, 1978
Cameron Indoor Stadium

Needs more votes. There is no other version in which the band collectively takes the 2nd bridge jam into such frenzied yet controlled jamming. 3-20-77 is probably the only one that beats it. Must-hear.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Nov. 1, 1979
Nassau Coliseum

This can be found on Dicks Picks #13 as a hidden track...very interesting transition jam--while it doesn't build to the crescendo that many others do, it gets into very spacey, Brent-led elements that are pretty mesmerizing. Unique version, if not a "best", certainly worth exploring.
Aiko Aiko
Sept. 14, 1982
University of Virginia

Jerry's lead on the intro, a relaxed but focused 2-minute groove makes this IKO one of the best I've ever heard. Very different from the more speeded-up late 80's versions--more relaxed--but not as slow and somewhat plodding as were the first few late 70's versions. Nice meld of the 2 styles.
Stella Blue
March 21, 1994
Richfield Coliseum

I just got schooled that not everything in '94/'95 sucked. Best damn version of Stella I've ever heard. Thanks for setting me straight.
Loser
July 22, 1984
Ventura County Fairgrounds

Jam into final verse is rivaled only by 3-24-90. This and that version are neck and neck.
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