headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+23519


Submissions

8
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Dec. 27, 1982
Oakland Auditorium

Seek out the CM SBD (2d set only). This is a fine combo w/Brent & Jer driving Scarlet & Phil prominent in Fire. '82 was a sweet year for S>F!
7
The Other One
Oct. 12, 1977
Manor Downs

Another roaring out of the gate and sustained thereafter 01 that should not be ignored. '77 had its great share & this is one of 'em. Heavy on Phil!
9
Brown Eyed Women
Oct. 4, 1981
Rainbow Theater

While I prefer the 1977 BEWs overall this one is excellent for its speed & precision & Jerry nailing all the lyrics w/ gusto! Don't overlook this gem!
4
Cold Rain and Snow
Oct. 4, 1981
Rainbow Theater

The overlooked European tour. Love Jer's voice for this song in '81.Hangs an extra vocal note or 2 on the chilly winds don't blow refrain. Great stuff
5
Ramble On Rose
Oct. 26, 1971
The Palestra, U. of Rochester

One of the earliest live versions ever and boy oh boy is Jerry into it. Belts out the lyrics. Quick tempo & a real joy to hear!
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Comments

Cold Rain and Snow
Feb. 3, 1978
Dane County Coliseum

^^^^Agree. Like Cornell & Veneta this (to be clear excellent top shelf show) gets bumps for songs that are fine but not extraordinary just b/c they're attached to a larger than life show. It's a disservice to both show & song. There are scads of versions way better than this one far lower on the list. (Just off the top of my head 8/25/72 leaps to mind). Great show--misleading ranking for this particular song in the pantheon of great CR&S
Playin' In The Band
Oct. 9, 1972
Winterland Arena

Gargantuan kitchen sink version with something for everyone. Aggressive in sections, quiet and contemplative in others, with a firm rhythm from Weir, Jerry’s usual runs of brilliance and my stars, if this isn’t one if the greatest performances by drummer Billy I don’t know what is. He takes control from the get go and rides the wave right up until...well, by now you should have read up on the hideous cut before the rejoin but honest to goodness it doesn’t take away from the overall magnificence of the journey. (One of the two archive versions has a noble fade out that’s at least better than an abrupt out)
The Other One
June 22, 1992
Star Lake Amphitheater

This deserves an upvote if for no other reason than the sheer originality of the approach. Hearing Bob begin the lyrics straight out of Spanish Jam AND IN THE MELODY OF SPANISH JAM!!! is at least to my knowing the only time they ever entered the song this way & it's a brilliant example of the experimentation and risk they were still willing to take even in the waning years. Whether it "works" or not is a matter of taste (I think it's grand) but I love the boldness & what a blast it mist have been to hear that happen live. Kudos and a +1
Black Throated Wind
Sept. 17, 1972
Baltimore Civic Center

stunningly confident, propulsive version. Weir's best pacing perhaps ever on this tune in both vocal delivery & rhythm. As others have noted Garcia digs deep & Keith adds all the most delicate accents at just the right moments. Exemplary.
Crazy Fingers
May 26, 1993
Cal Expo

Instrumentally nice version but typical for the year croaky-weak vocals from Jerry keep me from giving this an upvote. Lots of better versions currently sit under this one.
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