headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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merryjerry

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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.
10
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

The Other One
April 7, 1972
Wembley Empire Pool

In the video for Dave's 11, Lemieux said that '72 is one of the best years for TOO. This version is probably one reason why he and I share that opinion in common.
Jack Straw
Oct. 10, 1980
Warfield Theater

Grendel, while it doesn't include this whole show, the 'Dead Set' double-CD reissue contains this JS among some other gems, and the sound is fantastic--as in, some of the best-sounding live Dead out there, to these ears, anyway. I'll have to check out that matrix for the rest of the show--thanks for the heads up.
Playin' In The Band
May 21, 1974
Edmundson Pavilion

Way back when, there was a poster in my junior high home economics class showing a cornucopia of assorted sweets that read 'Too much of a good thing is simply wonderful'. Same goes for this. If some of those teeth-grinding '72 versions are a bit astringent on the old noodle, this one here is the same thing--just better decanted.
Let It Grow
Oct. 16, 1989
Meadowlands Arena

My current favorite standalone version. Jerry is very much 'in the zone' with his soloing, and a unique zone it is. Underrated on these pages, for sure.
Dark Star
Oct. 31, 1971
Ohio Theatre

The last of the great 'Tighten Up's.
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