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

Dark Star
Oct. 25, 1973
Dane County Coliseum

This is a big one here. The preverse portion is marked by supple and agile interplay that elevates not only the sum but also each of the parts. Very rewarding listening, indeed. The MLB is nice. The meltdown (and it's a heavy one for the ages) seemingly takes on the arc of a composition and could practically be given its own name. Hell, it almost sounds like a big spaceship in the shape of a mushroom cap is taking off. I gotta go back and listen, but is there some sort of cut in the tape during this meltdown? It could also just be the playing or even the rattling of the building and tape reel! And then the sunshiny chords of an excellent Eyes burn through.
Eyes Of The World
Oct. 25, 1973
Dane County Coliseum

The bright opening chords of this tune provide the perfect musical foil to an absolutely stunning and particularly heavy DS 'meltdown'. Jerry's first solo, with excellent group support, just keeps going up and up into a cathedral of sound in the clouds.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Oct. 25, 1973
Dane County Coliseum

Keeps growing on me. Whereas some versions from this immediate period can almost seem straggly (and that isn't always a bad thing), this one is better said to be rich in detail. And I'd say that each of the three major parts of this, from the Cat to the trans to the Rider, more than holds its own. A version that I'd be hard pressed not to consider amongst the cream of this pairing for '73.
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Nov. 17, 1972
Century II Convention Hall

Most of these from '72 are good, but the transition in this one goes better than that, having a bit of that x-factor stuff.
They Love Each Other
Nov. 30, 1973
Boston Music Hall

Among other, less wholesome places, to be found on Dick's Picks 14.
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