headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Submissions

7
Cryptical Envelopment
Oct. 13, 1968
Avalon Ballroom

From a painful whisper to pure lightening, an enveloping force of nature
6
Death Don't Have No Mercy
Oct. 13, 1968
Avalon Ballroom

Dark, moody, and soulful. A searing guitar solo, a purely haunted version. An evocation of the deep unharnessed power that controls the fatal cycle.
3
Turn On Your Love Light
Dec. 2, 1971
Boston Music Hall

Pulsing and free. Bill sounds like he has triple the arms. Pig sweats some blues, Garcia liquifies. Lock yourself in, strap up, and don't look back.
8
Dancin' in the Streets
June 3, 1976
Paramount Theatre

Churns, plays itself out, factor playing. Energetic, smooth as smooth.
4
Cryptical Envelopment
Dec. 29, 1968
Gulfstream Park Race Track

Peaks and melts in all kinds of directions
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Comments

Hard to Handle
July 31, 1971
Yale Bowl, Yale University

Although Jerry doesn't have the clearest twists and turns in his solo, it is still coherent enough--melodically-- to be considered a top H2H solo. This song is generally a pretty good barometer to test if Jerry is really on during a specific performance. He rips this version up basically meaning he's on this show, check it out.
Mister Charlie
Aug. 6, 1971
Hollywood Palladium

Power packed but condensed to such a sort time frame that it feels at any moment the song will just combust and explode. If you want to dabble in labeling certain versions "best ever" or whatever, this one certainly qualifies. Flawless energetic and booming.
Stella Blue
Oct. 14, 1983
Hartford Civic Center

Sublime and serene, regardless of era, the emotion of this version stands out. Vocals are chill evoking, great song, this version does it proper justice.
Black Peter
June 5, 1970
Fillmore West

Surprised hadn't been posted earlier. One of the best acoustic Black Peter's i've heard. Garcia sounds great. Dark but not intrusively so, last verses especially are powerful in a way only this song can provide.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Nov. 11, 1973
Winterland Arena

Certainly one of the top versions, probably top 5. Seamless transition, one of the better China Cats ever and the Rider smokes quick. Impossible to go wrong with Fall 73'
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