headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+23524


Submissions

8
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Dec. 27, 1982
Oakland Auditorium

Seek out the CM SBD (2d set only). This is a fine combo w/Brent & Jer driving Scarlet & Phil prominent in Fire. '82 was a sweet year for S>F!
7
The Other One
Oct. 12, 1977
Manor Downs

Another roaring out of the gate and sustained thereafter 01 that should not be ignored. '77 had its great share & this is one of 'em. Heavy on Phil!
9
Brown Eyed Women
Oct. 4, 1981
Rainbow Theater

While I prefer the 1977 BEWs overall this one is excellent for its speed & precision & Jerry nailing all the lyrics w/ gusto! Don't overlook this gem!
4
Cold Rain and Snow
Oct. 4, 1981
Rainbow Theater

The overlooked European tour. Love Jer's voice for this song in '81.Hangs an extra vocal note or 2 on the chilly winds don't blow refrain. Great stuff
5
Ramble On Rose
Oct. 26, 1971
The Palestra, U. of Rochester

One of the earliest live versions ever and boy oh boy is Jerry into it. Belts out the lyrics. Quick tempo & a real joy to hear!

Comments

The Music Never Stopped
May 26, 1977
Baltimore Civic Center

Props to your Baltimore, DS67, & props to this excellent, overlooked show. High energy MNS here & this show's also worth checking out for a searing GDTRFB and a generally high octane 2nd set.
They Love Each Other
Dec. 18, 1993
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

Wow/Yes/Underrated The acoustic sound works so beautifully here. Def. makes up for Jerry's '93 vocal weaknesses. If you want an off the beaten path version of this awesome 1st set tune look no further.
Dire Wolf
July 8, 1978
Red Rocks Amphitheatre

A) This is a great DW. I should have upped it earlier, B) As to the discussion about posting multiple versions of same songs, I don't mind that too much. I've long ago given up on believing that these rankings/comments are always reflecting "the best" of any one version. What I find most helpful is when some one tells me WHY this version deserves an upgrade or is better than one ahead of it. I look for descriptions and perspectives from the other heads here to parse out versions I may have otherwise overlooked.
Bird Song
Sept. 24, 1972
Palace Theatre

^^^^Agreed. A perfect BirdSong year with so many gems to choose from...the challenge is to parse out the subtle differences of each and find the moments that make the individual performances stand out.
Here Comes Sunshine
Nov. 21, 1973
Denver Coliseum

^^^^That’s a mighty fine list. Point taken about the spacey quality on some of those Nov. ‘73 versions ... it is weird how they dropped it as you said just when it was hitting stride.