headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Submissions

19
Promised Land
Oct. 8, 1989
Hampton Coliseum

Final jam here is smoking. Crowd is roaring and the whole band is on fire.
13
Truckin'
Feb. 23, 1974
Winterland Arena

Absolute fire blues here. This is crushed, awesome version from an awesome show
10
Playin' In The Band
Nov. 20, 1978
Cleveland Music Hall

Cooks powerfully, absolutely spaced out version. Really cool improvisation here, really great stuff.
6
Franklin's Tower
Nov. 20, 1978
Cleveland Music Hall

A psychedelic mind-fuck. Some racing and cool interweaving beats and solos. Really flowing and awesome version.
10
Pretty Peggy O
Nov. 20, 1978
Cleveland Music Hall

A constructed super beautifully contained version, one of preseance and atmosphere
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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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