headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

grendel

Books and Music

+23524


Submissions

6
Samson and Delilah
April 8, 1978
Veterans Memorial Coliseum

Shame on me for not submitting this earlier. Insane ripper to open 2nd set; Phil OWNS this version. Pause for nothing-- Listen NOW. Thank me l8r ;-)
30
Not Fade Away
Dec. 29, 1977
Winterland Arena

Latvala from "Grate" Beyond reminds of his Winterland pick: The Best. Jer rips holes in Universe; Drummers pummel; Listen to "drive me BACK" line!
7
Samson and Delilah
Dec. 5, 1979
Uptown Theater

Possibly best-ever of the Brent era. Bob preaches fire & brimstone and Jerry shreds the living daylights out of every jam. Serious MUST listen version
18
Shakedown Street
Dec. 5, 1979
Uptown Theater

A funk-laden but more laid-back, groovier vibe marks this excellent entry from Chicago. Notable for A+ vocals & harmonies and Bobby shines in end jam!
15
It Must Have Been The Roses
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

Almost every song from this show could be nominated for a "best ever." This heartfelt "Roses" is no exception.

Comments

Dark Star
May 15, 1970
Fillmore East (Late Show)

more and more enamored of this one, a floating, dreamy gem of a version, masterfully in rhythm and w/a gorgeous return following some mellow gong-space. Excellent.
Me and My Uncle
Nov. 6, 1977
Broome County Arena

Forgot to mention in 1st comments that Jerry lays down a mean solo even while caught in the faster paced disco double time. Stellar.
Big Railroad Blues
July 31, 1971
Yale Bowl, Yale University

True grit right here. Nothing fancy or pretty but a rocked out, ragged, rip roaring good one.
Playin' In The Band
Oct. 18, 1972
Fox Theater

Jazz clinic version that sandwiches a drums>darkStar>Dew>reprise. Underrated by about 20-30 votes.
Crazy Fingers
July 13, 1976
Orpheum Theatre

May be my new personal favorite. The outro jam is legendary for good reason--as close to a Shankar-style raga as you'll ever hear them do--but even before then, the mid-song bridge jam is just a thousand different kinds of beautiful & Donna Jean just sparkles on vocals, blending rather than overtaking Jerry at key moments. Stunning, spectacular version, better perhaps by a nose than many of the other fine June/July 1976 renditions listed on the board.