headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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merryjerry

wacked

+6550


Submissions

9
The Wheel
Oct. 2, 1977
Paramount Theatre

It's so apt that The Wheel would roll into Truckin' that the outro is short but the rest is very nice.
9
Eyes Of The World
June 27, 1984
Merriweather Post Pavilion

Jerry really mines the changes on this one and pulls out plenty of little gold nuggets (like Coltrane). Good interplay, too. An inspired version.
11
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
May 12, 1981
Veterans' Memorial Coliseum

A cheesy video of this kickass version would have Garcia playing atop a steam locomotive as it barrels down the track.
9
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Oct. 18, 1972
Fox Theater

Incomplete, but what remains is top-notch and essential.
10
Me and Bobby McGee
March 26, 1973
Baltimore Civic Center

I just gotta nominate this one, that's all.
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Comments

Tennessee Jed
June 18, 1974
Freedom Hall

Probably the first of the big pre-hiatus versions that comes to my mind.
They Love Each Other
July 5, 1978
Omaha Civic Auditorium

I haven't yet gotten the July '78 box and not much seems to have been written about this version. Any thoughts? I like all incarnations of this number and the late '77/'78 vintage is particularly hot, as Jerry's slow and soulful 'Cats Under the Stars' style made for some gargantuan versions (check his playing on 4/16/78 for example). So is the current two votes too low?
Not Fade Away
April 22, 1978
Nashville Municipal Auditorium

I voted for this thing a while ago and had since assumed that I'd commented on it. The outro jam is white hot and interesting, and culminates very nicely. Bobby's prankster punk slide work adds a nice, twisted touch that definitely works in tandem with the drummers to give Jerry a sweet 'n dirty base from which to rip it up.
Dark Star
May 14, 1974
Adams Field House, U of Montana

This is some seriously sophisticated shit.
Mama Tried
April 16, 1978
Huntington Civic Center

I can't think of a better first set in the post-hiatus Keith period.
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