headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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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?
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Comments

Wharf Rat
May 17, 1977
Memorial Coliseum

Another thing I love about this deep, rich, Wharf Rat from an equally profound show is the way it literally rolls in from the drummers in one of the more sublime transitions I've ever heard with this tune. Stupendous on its own but made extra special by the lead-in from the playin' jam.
He's Gone
Sept. 18, 1974
Parc des Expositions

There's some extra chaw & drawl in Jerry's guitar solo before the bridge chorus & oh man, is it filthy good.
Dark Star
Nov. 26, 1972
San Antonio Civic Auditorium

Such a pity there isn’t a high quality recording of this show available. I don’t care for the final feedback portion but the FG jam before it and this version overall is sublime.
Terrapin Station
March 20, 1977
Winterland Arena

Spectacular version I should have upped earlier. This & the historic Alhambra version two days previous are likely the two best ever performed in the song’s infancy and can hang with any at the top of this list. There’s a grace & delicate flow to these earlier versions that gets lost in later years (the 1979 versions see a return to some of the gentleness but while it’s ethereal & lovely it lacks the steady continuity of narrative they achieved in versions like this). Heady stuff for sure.
Estimated Prophet
Feb. 3, 1978
Dane County Coliseum

^^^^yes there was some confusion on my end there but I see what folks mean about that extended jam in the ‘78 versions. I still love the spacey outros of the ‘77s but there’s an undeniable thrill in the big sections post 77 with the only risk being that Bobby sometimes jumps back in too quick on the vocal while Jer is still shredding (not so on this one)
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