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

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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