headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Submissions

7
I Know You Rider
June 5, 1970
Fillmore West

Excellent stand-alone version, Jerry plays and sings a perfect tempo. Beautiful version, ethereal to say the least.
1
Black Peter
June 26, 1988
Civic Arena

Middle of the road show at best, but this Black Peter portrays a certain beautiful somber joy that just clicks along with the very slow tempo
11
Big River
March 24, 1973
The Spectrum

One of the all-time great Big Rivers
24
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
March 24, 1973
The Spectrum

Frankly, I was quite surprised upon seeing this one had yet to be posted. A seamless and absolutely sick version
7
Jack Straw
March 24, 1973
The Spectrum

Garcia plummets deep to the final climax, a fairly quick but power packed rendition
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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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