headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Submissions

16
He's Gone
June 30, 1985
Merriweather Post Pavilion

Sublime. Full heady steam engine coming down the track, check out this deep sounding monster, mellow and contained and nailed
13
Big Railroad Blues
June 30, 1985
Merriweather Post Pavilion

Jerry kicks this into high gear, a smokin' version
26
Terrapin Station
April 24, 1978
Horton Field House - Illinois State University

Dynamic and skillfully played version, featured on Dave's Picks 7
8
Goodnight Irene
Dec. 31, 1983
Civic Auditorium

Great cover of an awesome weavers song. The song works well in the encore slot. Really fun listening to it, Jerry singing this song is a real trip!
25
The Other One
May 9, 1977
War Memorial

A fairly short version, but don't let the time fool you, this version is as intense as they come. Its to wonder how they could make this up on the fly

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'