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.

Comments

China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
March 22, 1973
Utica Memorial Auditorium

Certainly deserves all the attention its received thus far, this combo is great on this night in Utica. Fast, and smooth, Garcia and Weir nail the buildup out of the China Cat, and Lesh drops some nice thunder in the Rider, definitely a powerhouse version.
Bird Song
March 22, 1973
Utica Memorial Auditorium

Lucid, peaking, and building, the drumming is fire, and Lesh fills perfectly. One of the better versions from a great year for the song.
Althea
Oct. 12, 1981
Olympia Halle

This show, for some reason or another, looks to be overlooked, take one listen to the Estimated>Gdtrfb from later in the 2nd set, it becomes painfully apparent how seriously locked in they are, all of the soloing is just fueled and flying. Throughout the entire show, for a matter of fact, Garcia is absolutely on fire, clicking on all cylinders, and shredding the shit out of songs. It sounds, also, as a side note, that Garcia is playing so furiously, that he might be pissed off. This Althea, by the way, features some excellent licks, and appears to my ears as one of the best versions of the year.
They Love Each Other
June 9, 1977
Winterland Arena

Just exactly perfect...
Don't Ease Me In
June 24, 1970
Capitol Theatre

Legendary show, fun version here following some crowd and stage banter, the acoustic set is nothing short of sublime.