headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

grendel

Books and Music

+23529


Submissions

25
Althea
May 6, 1980
Rec Hall, Penn State U

Recent Road Trips release is a perfecto: Outstanding vocals from Jerry and a jam after the lyrics that grooves and rocks super-hard. 5-star version!
45
Deep Elem Blues
May 2, 1970
Harpur College

Jerry's voice just exactly bluesy perfect...groovy & slow acoustic cadence & the boys harmonizing sweetly on the chrouses. Outstanding early version
28
Box of Rain
March 20, 1986
Hampton Coliseum

A+ for the crowd alone. Are there better ones? Of course. But I was there & the ecstacy after 14 years of no Box makes this version legendary.
13
Mississippi Halfstep Uptown Toodeloo
Sept. 18, 1990
Madison Square Garden

Astonishingly strong Jerry vocals, especially given the year, and some of the prettiest Hornsby-led fills make this one a real great sleeper pick.
35
Promised Land
Sept. 18, 1990
Madison Square Garden

New #1 version--all time best. This is a stretched-out jam-fest for a song usually given the quick-off. Killer fills from Hornsby. MUST HEAR!

Comments

Here Comes Sunshine
March 24, 1973
The Spectrum

^^^^Agreed. Tight, energetic and better sung than most.
Playin' In The Band
March 24, 1973
The Spectrum

Twirler's paradise. No dissonance or melt-down madness here, just corkscrew wah-wah Jerry jazz lines surrounded by really innovative Weir-led rhythm sections...a complete band mind-meld of swirling colors and ideas and a sweet re-entry to the reprise. Just outstanding and seriously under-rated on the Big Board. Hoping that will change with more ears on the new DaP.
St. Stephen
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

^^^^I know! Still freaking out about it...an official release of my favorite all time show!
Cassidy
May 21, 1977
Lakeland Civic Center

The '77 versions are so consistent (in the best way) that they tend to blend together and get taken for granted, which is a shame, because versions like this one are like little diamond dew droplets among the rain forest of bigger suites. What's especially good about this version is the vocal fluidity and blending between Bob & Donna and a Garcia jam break before the return that is brief in comparison to the versions that would emerge in years to follow, but contains multitudes within its own time frame that make it every bit as vast, mysterious, and wondrous as its lengthier companions. Glad to finally bump this into double digits. Should be higher.
Playin' In The Band
Dec. 3, 1979
Uptown Theatre

oops. sorry for the dub post