headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+24543


Submissions

37
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!
6
Sugar Magnolia
Sept. 25, 1981
Stabler Arena

Incredible Sugary-Mag Club sandwich: Sugar>BlackPeter>Round&Round>SSDD. Energy off the charts, and the SSDD starts spot-on the downbeat from R&R
13
Big River
July 31, 1974
Dillon Stadium

Scorcher start to finish. Keith comes up big, and Jerry goes ballistic in the final instrumental bridge. Check it out on Dave's Pix Vol. 2
45
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
June 19, 1976
Capitol Theatre

Just when you think you've heard 'em all...Peppy&Zippy yet tight HELP >groovy-spacedout Slip>killer jumping-Jerry-led Franklins. Must Hear!
44
Estimated Prophet
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

From the show that never stops giving--a spacey-jazzy-goeey-Wah-Wah-chunk-fest-of-Jerry.

Comments

Brown Eyed Women
Sept. 6, 1979
Madison Square Garden

Give it up for a super-fine '79. Jerry goes a few extra rounds in the bridge jam, sings like he's buying a round for the bar & nails the landing for Delilah Jones...nice under the radar version here worthy of some love.
Dark Star
Oct. 24, 1971
Easttown Theatre

Slow jazz beginning section, Phil driving everything up til first verse...minimal dissonance, mostly lovely spacey passages to follow...some early proto-type feeling groovy jamming and all sorts of interesting stuff leading into second verse and then a sweet segue into Bobby McGee. Great undervalued gem here...whole show has that vibe. I'm not usually too crazy about '71 but this show goes against that grain.
Deal
Oct. 24, 1971
Easttown Theatre

Maybe the best early version there is with a surprisingly lengthy first Garcia solo followed by a totally unexpected second break in between the final two verses, plus the whole thing is done at a relaxed, groovy, bluesy pace and A+ vocals from Jerry. As stated the Miller source is the one to get, it is crystal clear. There's always a place for the rip roaring end coda versions of the 80s but these early ones with their less hurried pacing are awesome in their own way. Easy up here (and a great Dark Star from this same show)
Eyes Of The World
Dec. 18, 1973
Curtis Hixon Convention Hall

^^^^Summeraven has this just right about this being a compact version that sticks every landing. It's got the usual '73 flow and jazz chops in the jam sections and an absolutely rip snorting Phil-led outro jam, but if it stands out beyond the broken string interlude (and it does) it's because not a note is wasted and it makes for a unique entry into the great pantheon of '73 versions. I do know it should be at least in the 20s vote-wise.& as of this review it's at just a dozen.
I Need A Miracle
Dec. 31, 1978
Winterland Arena

Yep, after rediscovering an all time Ramble I met up again with this picture perfect miracle and the harmonica sounds like it was always meant to be there. I never took the Darkstar>OtherOne>DS>WharfRat>Stephen out of rotation but the other tunes at this five star show need more love.