headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

please login or register.

hvd

sleuth

+21570


Submissions

10
Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
April 14, 1972
Tivolis Koncertsal

Great Year, Great Tour, Great Show, Great Song. Tight as fuck version following a china cat tease.
15
Sugaree
Sept. 2, 1980
Community War Memorial Auditorium

One of the tightest versions I have ever heard. I would place this towards the top. Jerry is in the zone, this really is a killer version. No lies.
5
Jack Straw
Oct. 11, 1977
Lloyd Noble Center - University of Oklahoma

They really bring the hammer down on this one. Tight and hot version, the drummers especially lead the breakdown into the witchita line perfectly
4
Mister Charlie
Aug. 5, 1971
Hollywood Palladium

Definitely overlooked because of the monster that came the night after, but in fact this is a really hot version.
9
Drums
April 15, 1970
Winterland Arena

High energy Drums < Jam. The drums are awesome with some fantastic energy, but the real highlight is this unbelievable jam following the drums.

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'