headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

41
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
April 30, 1977
The Palladium

Sick of saying "How can X not be here" yet but C'mon! Get the digital DL series and start bumpin this up! Smooth Scarlet, killer Fire jams. Early gem!
14
Terrapin Station
Nov. 28, 1980
Lakeland Civic Center

From a year not particularly known for great Terrapin, this one proves the exception to the rule. Tight, inventive, soulful.
6
Monkey and the Engineer
Feb. 4, 1970
Family Dog at the Great Highway

Bob sez: "we're gonna play one of your favorites and we certainly hope it's one of ours" b4 this sweet electric version!
19
Sugar Magnolia
Oct. 7, 1977
University of New Mexico

As insanely good as the Wharf Rat that precedes it. How good? Almost matches 10/29/77 in intensity. Final jam section b4 SSDD will boggle your senses!
19
Franklin's Tower
May 1, 1981
Hampton Coliseum

One of the best played versions from one of the best played shows in the Brent era---ever.
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Comments

Brown Eyed Women
May 26, 1977
Baltimore Civic Center

Adding this to the Mount Rushmore of BEW's to stand alongside 11/4/77, 12/27/77, & 8/24/80 as the best ever.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Dec. 30, 1979
Oakland Auditorium

Wow, still under double digits? I just re-listened & am even more enamored of this super groovy, relaxed yet full of color reading on both tunes. Sadly neglected to this point, I really think this needs more ears on it.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Sept. 24, 1973
Civic Arena

Great version, sources not so much. I think it was a recent 30 days of dead DL though and worth seeking out b/c this is a long, well jammed '73 gem, mostly undiscovered to this point.
Stella Blue
Oct. 1, 1994
Boston Garden

Nice vocal reprise but the rest is a sloppy, disappointing version from a show that otherwise is pretty great. Jerry's phrasing is tentative, not much gusto in the lyrics and uninspired playing by just about everyone. I suspect this one has its relative high slotting here due solely to the vocal "stella" call backs at the end & the show being a very good one for the year, but this version pales in comparison to the much better 3/21/94 which is easily the best of the year and perhaps only second to the Knick for best of the 90s
He's Gone
Oct. 2, 1972
Springfield Civic Center

Had to scroll nearly all the way down the list to find this superlative, dig your heels in, super-confident bluesy gem of a rendition? Come on, folks, it's fall 1972 & everyone's in sync on this fantastic reading from a great (& sadly underrated) show. There are myriad reasons to bump this one way up the ladder. More ears & votes please.
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