headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+23524


Submissions

10
Beat it on Down The Line
March 22, 1990
Copps Coliseum

A breezy bouncin' bubbly Bobby Beat it...best of the 90's.
8
El Paso
March 27, 1972
Academy of Music

Jerry in serious bluegrass mode. Most country-westernized version ever. At the end Phil sez "Thanks, Texans" even tho' they're in NYC. Awesome version
22
Let It Grow
Sept. 19, 1990
Madison Square Garden

Hornsby gets on board in a big way & Jerry jazzes up the jam sections. Weir slashes away & sings w/passion. Strong candidate for Best of the 90's.
3
Desolation Row
April 17, 1987
Irvine Meadows

This song was only as good as Bobby was committed to it, and on this night he was 100% in Dylan-idoling mode. Gorgeous rendeition, lovingly sung.
9
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
May 13, 1977
Auditorium Theatre

Almost beyond description. The last full jam leading into the GDTR chorus is a perfect storm example of what made the Dead magic
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Comments

Stella Blue
Sept. 2, 1979
Augusta Civic Center

Folks who like '79 Terrapins should give a listen to this Stella, given the same mellow, poignant, well-played treatment. Sweet version from a greatly underrated show
Eyes Of The World
March 20, 1991
Capital Centre

One of the best intros of the 90s versions, a 2 1/2 minute grooved out extravaganza that sets the tone for as jazzy and entry as you'll find outside of a Marsalis appearance. This is one of the finest "Eyes" of the latter day Dead, a top 5-er for sure, I'd have no problem grouping this one in with 3/25/90, 3/31/91, the opener at Giants Stadium (it's actually better) and 3/29/90. One thing I'm sure of--it deserves WAY more listens and a higher ranking.
The Eleven
April 27, 1969
Labor Temple

+1 just for the way it emerges flawlessly from the Other One & glides back in for the reprise. Everything in between is amazing as well & Jerry is doing liquid leads especially after the verse. Gold standard stuff.
Dark Star
April 27, 1969
Labor Temple

Grunge rock Dark Star. Jerry never stops playing his fuzzed-out acid drenched chops off in this one, unique among Stars I've heard from this era that almost always feature floaty, deep-space, twinkling Mickey-gong segments, but this puppy never stops romping all over the space provided, with the rest of the band adding the out-of-earth flourishes as Jerry just cranks his guitar and lets his fingers fly. Worth grabbing the official DP26 release for best sound quality. Exceptional DS'69 here.
The Other One
Dec. 5, 1979
Uptown Theater

So much going on in this way way way underrated version--including a subtle butr quite distinct "Let It Grow" jam dropped in the midst of things. I'm on a mission to get this at least into double digits. Check out this monster version...spacey, multiple Jerry runs, peaks. great rumbling Phil intro, and the killer "Let It Grow" phrasing...get on this, folks.
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