headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Submissions

4
Brokedown Palace
Oct. 26, 1972
Music Hall

Soulful and heartfelt. Version is marred by nasty cut, but is still one of the best ever.
3
Sugar Magnolia
Oct. 26, 1972
Music Hall

Torn and Ripped apart!!! Holy shit these guys were on fire, how much more energetic can this song possibly be!
7
Dark Star
Oct. 26, 1972
Music Hall

After repeated listenings this Dark Star has started to sound masterful. Mind-blowing interplay between Keith, Jerry, and Phil, advanced exploration
4
Deal
Oct. 26, 1972
Music Hall

Super emotional solo, and intense powerful leads, make this my favorite pre 76' Deal
5
Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower
Oct. 9, 1984
The Centrum

Each piece is played to masterful heights. Pretty damn good version for 84' coasts into a rocking jack straw
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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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