headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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merryjerry

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Submissions

4
China Cat Sunflower
Jan. 2, 1972
Winterland Arena

A curious Cat peekin' through some Good Lovin'. Not an epic CCS per se, but the transitions in 'n out are as smooth as a Michael Jordan layup. Unique.
2
Dark Star
April 26, 1970
York Farm

We can only wonder...
18
Doin' That Rag
March 1, 1969
Fillmore West

Not too much Tiny Tim and Jerry's solo blooms nicely.
8
Black Peter
Aug. 12, 1972
Sacramento Memorial Auditorium

A slightly brisk and jaunty version that is smack-dab in the middle of a TOO. More bluesy rock than ponderous and Faulknerian (?).
12
China Cat Sunflower
Feb. 14, 1968
Carousel Ballroom

Jerry's early tone is sweetly acerbic, and pleases like the burn from a swig of crisp Coke on a hot day. Seamless transition into 'The Eleven'.
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Comments

Bertha
Oct. 29, 1977
Evans Field House, Northern Illinois University

Had no trouble sitting through this one. Top-shelf '77 version, Wolf-style.
St. Stephen
Oct. 15, 1977
Moody Coliseum - Southern Methodist University

Boy could Jerry read and give an audience what it needed! Like some of those saints of yore (and I mean real saints, not Pig-era versions) this one may be a bit bedeviled by an attention-grabbing wart or two, but it is nevertheless virtuous.
Bertha
May 5, 1977
New Haven Coliseum

Grendel, here's hoping that DeKalb was among the returned stash and, as is often the case, you are absolutely right about that 'Bertha': smokin'. Right from the outset you can tell it's gonna be a big one the way Phil falls in. Impressive how they are so in sync passing each other with all the descending and ascending parts, like synchronized elevators in a glass-fronted building possessed by a supernatural force. And Jerry and Wolf really howl. Comparing this one to the version from the 5th is a great comparison of Bean '77 and Wolf '77. What a year!
New Minglewood Blues
Dec. 29, 1977
Winterland Arena

Many GD songs vary greatly from vintage to vintage, often managing to achieve excellence but in different ways; for example, '74 and '77 'Scarlet Begonias' can both soar, the only difference being that they travel through different dimensions and from different angles. That said, and despite an odd start, this version here is definetely among those at the apex of the '77/'78 vintage: absolutely smokin'!
The Music Never Stopped
July 3, 1978
St. Paul Civic Center Arena

The dreamy part of the jam is so good that it can't help but be a bit awkward when they launch into the rock out; nevertheless, listen to the version from the July '78 box and see that this one is more accomplished than most of those currently sitting above it on the list.
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