headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

grendel

Books and Music

+23524


Submissions

49
Playin' In The Band
Sept. 17, 1972
Baltimore Civic Center

DP #23 from Baltimore...yet another jazz exploration that winds and weaves and delights. More introspective than intense & quite worthy!
14
Scarlet Begonias
Aug. 4, 1976
Roosevelt Stadium

Fantastic 15+ minutes of standa-lone Scarlet featuring a very Phil-front bass section post-lyrics. Final jam section gets real jazzy, too.
2
Terrapin Station
Aug. 31, 1985
Manor Downs

From a hot steamy night in Texas an equally hot & steamy Terrapin, which melts into a great Estimated
4
Eyes Of The World
June 25, 1978
Autzen Stadium, U. of Oregon

Hidden gem! Jazzy mellow intro to fluid, energetic Garcia-led jamming. Cross-up on 'beaches & seasons" in 1st verse chorus- Phil yells "Get it right!"
8
Row Jimmy
Feb. 4, 1978
Milwaukee Auditorium

If a SBD of this version and show existed we'd all be talking it up. But the AUD is pretty good, & this RJ has tasty Garcia licks. Don't overlook it!

Comments

Samson and Delilah
June 24, 1985
River Bend Music Center

Best Jerry background vocals ever for this song. Hecka jammed out too.
They Love Each Other
June 24, 1973
Memorial Coliseum

Maybe the best ever of Jerry's "fast version" solos...jazz gem. 1/4 point off for a typical Garcia lyrical flub but that's the only thing keeping this one from perfection. Call it a one-hitter instead of a perfect game, but it deserves to rise in the standings
U.S. Blues (Wave That Flag)
Nov. 1, 1977
Cobo Arena

As raucous as many listed higher and far far greater than many if them, too. Five votes is way to few for this gem.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
April 19, 1984
Philadelphia Civic Center

Just lightning quick mesmerizing finger picking from Jerry on the transition into Rider, one of the best I've heard in any era. Jerome's vocals are, well, it''s '84 so temper your expectations, but he does nail the lyrics and the whole combo is an underrated gem likely to get more deserved accolades being on the new DaP.
Ramble On Rose
Sept. 20, 1990
Madison Square Garden

As a confirmed MIDI hater I have to admit the best part of this excellent version is Jerry's mid-"trumpet" solo courtesy of the gizmo thingy. 9 times out of 10 that gadget is a poor substitute for a real Garcia guitar solo but here it's simply triumphant. Jer also gets points for trying his best (& succeeding) in nailing down all the lyrics in the venue where he most needs to get tt right, & while the 1990 croaky strain in his vox is evident, it doesn't stop him or the band from pulling off a good-'un.