headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+23524


Submissions

19
Althea
Sept. 9, 1982
Saenger Performing Arts Center

Incredible. Check out Brent's fills during the epic post-lyrics outro. A must-listen top tier Althea w/bounce, power, & panache!
17
Deal
Feb. 23, 1974
Winterland Arena

Apparently no one is aware that a fellow named Keith played in this band or this version would have 50 votes already. Needs to be heard!
1
Pretty Peggy O
Sept. 4, 1980
Providence Civic Center

Outside of 1977 this may be the best version I've heard. A+ vocals from Jerry, killer mid-solo; slightly faster tempo. Must hear. Gr8 Matrix!
4
Greatest Story Ever Told
Oct. 11, 1989
Meadowlands Arena

Bob's lyric phrasing on this version is unique. He sings it in a way so different than any I've heard before & it's inventive & super-fun. Must hear!
7
Greatest Story Ever Told
March 14, 1981
Hartford Civic Center

Best of the 80's or 90's, hands down. Picture perfect rendition: Vocals, jam fills, & finish.
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Comments

Pretty Peggy O
May 9, 1977
War Memorial

^^^^ Agree, but wit the caveat that this is still Avery fine version & would land squarely in my personal top 15-20 list, but would not crack the top 10. There’s beautiful flow, pacing, and singing here but the key mid jam solo never breaks from the pack of other epic versions & ultimately lands as “nice” but to my ears not quite worthy of the status it has currently on the board. My quick list of superior versions would be 5/19/77, 5/12/77, 12/27/77, 5/5/77, 9/3/77, 4/16/78, 4/12/78, 10/30/77, 12/30/77, & for some sleeper picks try 9/4/80 and 8/24/80
Playin' In The Band
April 21, 1978
Rupp Arena

It's time to up the Rupp. Crazy good spacey entry here ignored on the board for no good reason I can see, This is a hella underrated show--maybe because so many others this month overshadow it--but this is an epic PITB chock full of jazzy surprises & yeah, how many jams include a nod to the Bee Gee??? Easy +1
Werewolves of London
April 21, 1978
Rupp Arena

Really tentative, sluggish start, almost like they don't know whether to play the main theme fast or slow & it barely coalesces as Jerry enters the opening lyric. Plus Bob's obnoxious slide is way too loud. So why am I upping this one? Because as stated above, the howling & wailing & pure total monster FUN of this version is too great to ignore (just listen to Jerry & Donna in unison on "he'll rip your lungs out, Jim!") & you'll hear what I mean.
Eyes Of The World
June 24, 1973
Memorial Coliseum

Dreamy intro, loose & flowing & longer than most for the year...that loosey-goose feeling lopes along right up until Jerry;s first solo break & then he's off to the races & so is the rest of the gang. There's really no "bad" version from this year I can think of off the top of my head...the trick is to sift through all the diamonds to find some that are a little rough around the edges perhaps but shone with a special brightness in part because of those brilliant differences. This is one of 'em!
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Oct. 17, 1978
Winterland Arena

Find the matrix, crank it up, & wonder just how in the hellinabucket is this pairing so far down the list. The date & venue alone should vault this one at least into listening range & my only guess is the lack of a top notch SBD (if there is let me know) but the matrix available is a beaut & so is this version. Great rich '78 multi-layered jamming from everyone, ,lots of balance/contributions from all & a thick transition jam, hot hot fire.. Grossly underrated & we all oughta get some ups on this to rectify the issue.
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