headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

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Submissions

2
Drums
June 4, 1978
Campus Stadium - University Of California

Part of a very hardcore rock and roll 2nd set. HEAVY wailing Drums>Space>NFA w/motorcycle revs.
8
Beat it on Down The Line
May 16, 1972
Theatre Hall

Another Europe '72 tour winner. Bobby sez "Rock on out" for the bridge jam and Jerry obliges.
24
Ramble On Rose
May 22, 1977
The Sportatorium

Just discovered this one, available on archive as outtakes that didn't make the DP release. Simply put, it kicks ass.
8
Doin' That Rag
June 14, 1969
Monterey Performing Arts Center

Always a tough tune for the band to pull off but here they do it with authority. Jerry nails the vocals w/gusto!
10
Black Peter
Sept. 25, 1981
Stabler Arena

After 10/29/77 this should be your go-to BP. Emotion oozes and Jer shreds the outro.
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Comments

Brokedown Palace
June 25, 1995
RFK Stadium

I haven’t even listened to this version yet (I will) but I came here the night I learned of Robert Hunter leaving this realm & am just upvoting every version of Brokedown Palace, symbolically via this one, & because there is no such thing as a “bad” Brokedown Palace, because it is one of the most soulful pieces of poetry ever written, & because, well, just.....Robert Hunter.
Keep On Growing
June 22, 1985
Alpine Valley Music Theater

Phil takes a nice vocal turn on this rarity. Surprised it doesn't have more ups.
Brown Eyed Women
June 30, 1985
Merriweather Post Pavilion

The whiskey costs $5 instead of 2 in this one, so you know it's worthy. Nice chops from Jerry, long bridge jam, plus the aforementioned mini feedback on 'ready to kill'. Take a quarter point away for Jerry's weak-ish vocals (although he does nail all the lyrics, which is nice), but it's '85 so that's to be expected. I've done a non scientific analysis & I think '85 has got to take the cake for being the worst-sounding Jerry voice year in the band's history.
Playin' In The Band
July 1, 1978
Arrowhead Stadium

^^^^Excellent point Merry on this version and frankly many other Playins circa ‘77-‘78 that also click in around 10 mins and get passed over for lengthier “monster” versions. Those are almost like different songs in their bookended self contained 25-30 min. madness and they’re great but don’t overlook these shorter “launch pad” versions that pack a lot of jazzy exploration into a shorter space. This is one of them.
Fire On The Mountain
June 28, 1976
Auditorium Theatre

It's the Marcel Marceau version (no vocal) & really, none needed. I've been digging this one a LOT lately b/c the groove is just so damn infectious and irresistible. Easily the best of the prototype "beta" versions & better than some fully developed ones in which Jerry mumbles through blown lyrics & the band sounds tired. This one suffers no energy drain whatsoever despite its emphasis on rhythm & mellow flow rather than Garcia-led shredding.
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