headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Submissions

30
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
Dec. 13, 1980
Long Beach Arena

Cream of the crop, top shelf Scarlet<Fire. Easy to tell Garcia is in the zone. Lucid, flowing, and fabulous version.
10
Playin' In The Band
June 9, 1973
RFK Stadium

Nice jamming on this one
6
Eyes Of The World
June 9, 1973
RFK Stadium

Classic Eyes<China Doll. Nearly all of the versions from 73' are great, but this is one of the best.
3
Dire Wolf
March 1, 1970
Fillmore East

Americana at its finest. Slow, mellow, rewarding, clean, polished, and homey. One of my favorites.
2
Dancin' in the Streets
March 1, 1970
Fillmore East

A case could be made for this being the finest version ever.
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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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