headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

13
The Other One
May 18, 1977
Fox Theatre

Not sure why everyone ignores '77 versions, but you're missing out if you haven't heard this one. Power packed Jerry-led fury.
4
Spanish Jam
May 21, 1995
Sam Boyd Silver Bowl

In the band's worst year they somehow came up with a really short but spot-on SJ that emerges nicely out of space. Ignore the date-check out the tune.
4
It Must Have Been The Roses
March 13, 1981
Utica Coliseum

Seek out the SBD (unknown lineage) then bask in what's possibly the best-sung, most heartfelt & lovely "Roses" ever.
52
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
May 11, 1977
St. Paul Civic Center Arena

It's criminal that this hasn't made the list yet. Like super-smooth '77 versions? You MUST hear this.
13
Gloria
Oct. 16, 1981
Melkweg

Bobby's birthday at the world famous Melkeweg. Yummy brownies make this version extra special.
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Comments

Morning Dew
April 15, 1978
William and Mary College Hall

^^^^glad to hear I’m not the only one who compares 4/78 to 5/77 ... so true. While I don’t put this particular Dew into my all time list (a few too many off note clams esp. in the early sections) this show overall & practically the whole month of April 78 has that “throw a dart hit a great show” dynamic just like May of 77 does. (4/8 4/12 4/15 4/16 4/24 all A+ gems). I do love this Dew tho bc it’s the only one of the year & of course there are parts where Jer just drops the hammer & stops you in your trax.
Let It Grow
April 20, 1984
Philadelphia Civic Center

Just a dense thicket of jam, everyone's ablaze here especially the rhythm devils. The Scarlet>Fire (deservedly) gets the lion's share of attention for this show but this is a show stopper in its own right.
Lazy Lightnin' -> Supplication
April 18, 1978
Civic Arena

...and worthy of those extra votes! A high energy version that does not suffer from sloppy or rushed playing as many later versions (esp. in the 80's) would , and Bobby pretty much nails down the lyrics here, which was never a given. but you can also tell how much fun they're having here & Donna is very much involved in a good way. Glad to nudge this into double digits
Playin' In The Band
Oct. 14, 1977
Hofheinz Pavilion

Absolute beast here...rockin' to start then drifting & dreaming with lots of contemplative space. Nice rejoin, too. Heckuva show but then again there's a whole lot of those from autumn 77
Passenger
April 15, 1978
William and Mary College Hall

Ugly train wreck as either Donna/Bobby come in too early on “passenger don’t you hear me” vocal or Garcia wasn’t ready. Either way the botch on this critical part of the tune keeps it from an upvote here. Most of the rest of this show is gold of course....
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