headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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grendel

Books and Music

+24543


Submissions

4
Ramble On Rose
Dec. 30, 1977
Winterland Arena

Faster than usual tempo with just a brilliant Jerry bridge jam and no missed lyrics make this one a not-to-be-missed version.
14
The Other One
May 18, 1977
Fox Theatre

Not sure why everyone ignores '77 versions, but you're missing out if you haven't heard this one. Power packed Jerry-led fury.
4
Spanish Jam
May 21, 1995
Sam Boyd Silver Bowl

In the band's worst year they somehow came up with a really short but spot-on SJ that emerges nicely out of space. Ignore the date-check out the tune.
4
It Must Have Been The Roses
March 13, 1981
Utica Coliseum

Seek out the SBD (unknown lineage) then bask in what's possibly the best-sung, most heartfelt & lovely "Roses" ever.
54
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
May 11, 1977
St. Paul Civic Center Arena

It's criminal that this hasn't made the list yet. Like super-smooth '77 versions? You MUST hear this.
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Comments

Stella Blue
Aug. 21, 1972
Berkeley Community Theater

Self contained beauty. Early enough version that Jerry sings "can't keep from crying" instead of "gonna make 'em shine" but it kinda works better since we don't get any off key chorus repeat from Donna (I'm not a Donna hater on most tunes, but she killed so many versions of this tune at that key moment). This whole show is chock full of goodness...A+ versions of He's Gone and PITB among many others. +1 on this Stella.
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
Sept. 2, 1983
Boise Pavilion - Boise State University

There's some interesting stuff going on in the Slipknot! (although you have to like 'em speedy to enjoy it) & the Franklin's...I'm almost positive that around the 6;20-6:50 mark in Franklin's Jerry's playing a riff from what would later become "Foolish Heart"...it's not the full phrasing but pretty damn close & there are some other nice runs in the Franklin's too...but ultimately I can't upvote this because the "Help" is in dire need of just that. It's an absolute train wreck and almost un-listenable. For a far better reading of the trio in '83 try Red Rocks.
Lazy Lightnin' -> Supplication
Aug. 26, 1980
Cleveland Public Auditorium

Probably ignored for lack of SBD but the source provided is a very good AUD and yes this is a pumped up rager. Worth a listen and upvote. EDIT: upon further review there is a SBD to hear...both versions quite good.
Maggie's Farm
March 20, 1992
Copps Coliseum

Great keys from Vinny here and everyone nails their vocal parts. Zimmerman would approve.
Eyes Of The World
Nov. 14, 1973
San Diego International Sports Arena

Fresh from spinning this, arrived to rave about it, expecting it to be easily northward of 30 votes, and real disappointed to find it still in the teens. This has so many things going for it besides the obvious (late ‘73) not the least of which is a super sweet 2 minute intro, almost unheard of in the song’s debut year. Jerry just slays the main jams, nails the lyrics, & Phil grooves out after that. Oodles of great Eyes, I know, but this one is far better than a lot of others above it right now.
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