headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

grendel

Books and Music

+23519


Submissions

11
Crazy Fingers
April 3, 1990
The Omni

Very strong entry w/no lyrical mistakes & Jerry in fine voice, esp. for the year. Crystal clean sound from '90 spring box set shows how good this is!
14
Brokedown Palace
Sept. 16, 1972
Boston Music Hall

This melts like a dream from a weirdly underrated Dark Star & is sung beautifully by Jerry & played sweetly by all. Give a listen!
6
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
Sept. 20, 1991
Boston Garden

Ok technically it's Help>Slipknot>Fire but c'mon that's pretty cool & even w/out the novelty of the change-up it's a sweet version
10
Take A Step Back
Oct. 31, 1979
Nassau Coliseum

Phil: "Remember, if you step up too close We'll HAVE TO STOP PLAYING. Weir: I would remind you all that Halloween is not a legal holiday"
5
Candyman
Oct. 28, 1977
Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Hall

There's a Betty Board of this one available. And it's gorgeous. What's stopping you?
show more submissions

Comments

Dark Star
Feb. 11, 1969
Fillmore East

Much like some of the 10-12 minute PITB's of the Europe '72 run deliver the goods as well as many marathon later versions do, this Dark Star gets down to business while still leaving plenty of room for Garcia to explore the universe with the rest of the crew keeping the ship on course when needed. A concise but bold & brilliant DS worthy of higher ranking. Lots to love here---don't dismiss it for being under half an hour!
Franklin's Tower
Dec. 28, 1980
Oakland Auditorium

Such an underrated gem here--check out Jerry's hard bite vocal on "One watched by NIGHT" & the ensuing jam shredder that follows.
Franklin's Tower
Sept. 23, 1987
The Spectrum

^^^^^Yes!Indeedy! Total sleeper pick here. I agree this is how Franklin's is best played--uptempo but not too fast clip, crunchy Jerry guitar fills & lots of nice tinkling by Brent not mucked up by using fisher price sounds--more traditional key sound here--and unlike some older versions, there's no drag here or lull in the middle--propulsive, driving and yet still beautiful in spots--this is a five star Franklin's hiding in plain view & just waiting to be discovered. I recommend the Healy matrix--and make sure you check out Jerry's impassioned growling in the outro chorus. Excellent recommend!
Comes A Time
May 21, 1977
Lakeland Civic Center

Had to add to this vote total b/c on further listening the guitar solo is nearly as pristine as 5/9/77 & has its own special touch of Jerry--slinky, almost dragging across the strings but w/out losing the gentleness that marks the solo-- & this version has overall better vocals (by a hair, but still)....Buffalo still deserves its top spot for the indescribable "it" or "X" factor, but this gorgeous version is every bit as worthy if not "the" one.
Touch of Grey
March 27, 1987
Civic Center

One of the best things about the new DaP is getting this awesome version in tip top matrix form.
show more comments
headyversion loves the dead but is in no way affiliated with The Grateful Dead or affiliated enterprises. find out more >:) >:)