headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+24543


Submissions

56
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Sept. 11, 1982
West Palm Beach Auditorium

The very definition of "underrated." Almost lost to time& yet it kills. No flubbed verses, great steady reggae jams;perfect transition. Please try it.
46
Ramble On Rose
Nov. 30, 1980
Fox Theatre

Jerry sounds "just like Wolfman Jack" when he growwwlllzzz out the final chorus on "Goodbye Mama & Papa...!" Whole version is aces back to back!
45
It's All Over Now Baby Blue
Oct. 10, 1982
Frost Amphitheatre

Jerry in especially soulful voice on this completely perfecto version from one of the best shows of '82. If you like 4-6 Spectrum, you'll love this.
18
Playin' In The Band
Oct. 12, 1984
Augusta Civic Center

My favorite "sandwich" version, this PITB actually begins in the 2nd set as reprise from the previous night! Insane weaving thru UJB/Space/Dew
22
Samson and Delilah
May 13, 1977
Auditorium Theatre

Goofy stage banter by Bob, then the rippingest, roaringest, best-drummed version I know.

Comments

Black Peter
June 26, 1973
Seattle Center Coliseum

Great call here. What this version lacks in big meaty outro jam (head to ‘77 for that) it makes up for in passionate vocals and perfect blues delivery. Upgrade worthy and yeah the box set sounds amazing.
Bertha
May 26, 1977
Baltimore Civic Center

This might be THE most grossly underrated version of any tune on this site. It blows the doors off nearly every version above it (with a handful of exceptions, maybe fewer) in every facet of the game--from vocals to overall jamming to Garcia's mid-tune solo. This entire show gets overlooked (Eyes, NFA, GTRFB, hell--the whole thing!) but this is the worst snub of the bunch.
The Mighty Quinn (Quinn The Eskimo)
Oct. 5, 1994
The Spectrum

Always thought the debut version was best but I’m rethinking that after hearing this one. Like this entire show (a gem for the year hiding in plain sight behind the far more celebrated Boston Garden show 4 nights earlier) you’ll find Jerry in fine vocal form and playing tight tight tight to this excellent encore. He even growls out one of the final lines. Come on without/Come on within...
Big River
May 17, 1974
P.N.E. Coliseum

Give it up for Billy keeping pace with Jerry, too. Right old '74 barn burner.
Casey Jones
June 22, 1973
Pacific Coliseum

The band somehow achieves mellow hotness on this one.