headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

grendel

Books and Music

+23524


Submissions

25
Althea
May 6, 1980
Rec Hall, Penn State U

Recent Road Trips release is a perfecto: Outstanding vocals from Jerry and a jam after the lyrics that grooves and rocks super-hard. 5-star version!
45
Deep Elem Blues
May 2, 1970
Harpur College

Jerry's voice just exactly bluesy perfect...groovy & slow acoustic cadence & the boys harmonizing sweetly on the chrouses. Outstanding early version
28
Box of Rain
March 20, 1986
Hampton Coliseum

A+ for the crowd alone. Are there better ones? Of course. But I was there & the ecstacy after 14 years of no Box makes this version legendary.
13
Mississippi Halfstep Uptown Toodeloo
Sept. 18, 1990
Madison Square Garden

Astonishingly strong Jerry vocals, especially given the year, and some of the prettiest Hornsby-led fills make this one a real great sleeper pick.
35
Promised Land
Sept. 18, 1990
Madison Square Garden

New #1 version--all time best. This is a stretched-out jam-fest for a song usually given the quick-off. Killer fills from Hornsby. MUST HEAR!

Comments

Uncle John's Band
Oct. 19, 1974
Winterland Arena

Ah yes! Overshadowed I think by the Eyes from this show, this UJB def. deserves a higher ranking.
Pretty Peggy O
April 30, 1977
The Palladium

Love the extended intro on this one & like nearly every version from '77 this is just gorgeous--vocally & instrumentally. Jerry's solo doesn't quite hit the heights of 5/5/77, 12/27/77, or 519/77, but is nevertheless superb & is still an easy +1 for the board.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
May 11, 1981
Coliseum

Who's in the mood for a hidden gem ScarFire from a year that has scads of 'em hiding in plain sight? Check this one out--full lush reading of both tunes and like much of '81, if you're a Brent fan, you'll want to give this a serious listen .
Eyes Of The World
June 4, 1977
The Forum

Glad Melvin is still groovin'...may have to check that out--thx!
Bird Song
Nov. 17, 1972
Century II Convention Hall

Another winner from the most consistently great Birdsong Year of 1972. This is a surehanded confident beautifully sung silk-smooth rendition, not a note wasted. Wonderful.