headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+23524


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

Shakedown Street
Dec. 30, 1978
Pauley Pavilion

Disco Dead in the best possible way. Total funk achieved from the moment the seamless transition from PITB is initiated & then you hear Jerry's fingers fly while staying in the pocket like a veteran QB unfazed by the blitz & finding his receivers over & over again on laser focused slant passes. Quick-take Shakedown that packs so much punch in its under 10 minute run it can stand with any of the marathon monsters from later years. Easy +1
Stella Blue
June 30, 1985
Merriweather Post Pavilion

Adding vote bc yes this is a fine melancholy Stella & one of the rare times Jerry’s croaky voice lends pathos to the tune & only reason I hadn’t before is bc of the above spot on comment about the jarring entry into round&round which I always thought was a tragic segue for a tune as beautiful as Stella. Never liked R&R anyway but especially resented launching into it on the heels of SB. Nevertheless this is a fine upvote worthy version. Just make sure to fade out before the buzz kill
Franklin's Tower
March 13, 1982
Reno Centennial Coliseum

and he nails all the lyrics! (Brent does some nice piano flourishes, too. Fast but tight--fine version)
Dark Star
April 5, 1969
Avalon Ballroom

I should stop being amazed, stunned even, when I stumble upon a version of a song I thought I had covered in every era it appeared, but here I am so glad to have checked out this Dark Star based on all the great recs from above. Don't know how this had escaped my purview til now but so what, because hearing the Jerry break-out right after the first verse & hearing him carry it seamlessly into a mellower rhythm jam and some light lovely space, then back into the swirling corkscrew notes section that mark so many of the best '69 Dark Stars- for the first time -is a crazy good trip.
Wang Dang Doodle
April 7, 1991
Orlando Arena

No way this version should be languishing. C'mon & give it a listen, it brings the goods.
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