headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

28
Playin' In The Band
May 11, 1972
Rotterdam Civic Hall

Sometimes shorter is better. At around 10 mins. this beauty from E'72 packs the jazz, jam, passion. Like a more intense version of the one on ACE!
26
Scarlet Begonias
Oct. 3, 1976
Cobo Arena

No clean SBD on archive but at official Dead site a pristine version was on 30 days of Dead for DL. 2d best stand-alone I've heard next to 3-20-77
66
Pretty Peggy O
May 19, 1977
Fox Theatre

DP Vol. 29...Each time I think I've heard the best (i.e. 12/27/77) I hear one better. This is it. Flowing, gorgeous Jerry bridge jam. Perfection.
4
Don't Ease Me In
June 20, 1980
West High Auditorium

Proves the boys could really swing when they wanted to. Hear Jerry on "The Girl I Love" line; like 'Gator Alley--1980 a good year for this tune
32
Not Fade Away
May 26, 1977
Baltimore Civic Center

Insane. Ridiculous. Drummers locked in, Garcia in take-no-prisoners mode. 16+ minutes of full-bore Rock to the G-D Roll.
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Comments

Row Jimmy
March 20, 1977
Winterland Arena

I go back and forth between this one and 4-12-78 as to which is best...both feature unreal Jerry guitar work before "broken heart" refrain...this one a tad cleaner than Duke U....both outstanding.
Jack Straw
Jan. 11, 1979
Nassau Coliseum

My first-ever show, and this "Jack Straw" is what got me on the bus for good. Nice call.
Morning Dew
Oct. 12, 1984
Augusta Civic Center

Ditto. Have yet to hear a more powerful version, at least vocally (Barton Hall maybe has the better jam). This one is as emotional as it gets. Brilliant version ending one of the best 2d sets of all time.
Mississippi Halfstep Uptown Toodeloo
Nov. 6, 1977
Broome County Arena

can't believe this isn't #1 all-time with the most votes. Both bridge jams are monsters. Beats 5/7/77 (which is excellent) by a country mile
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
May 13, 1977
Auditorium Theatre

Excellent choice and yes, a very underrated version. Unique in a very short transition jam but that leaves Jerry to expand on the opening riffs of "fire" instead. Really great version, often overlooked.
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