headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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parrott56

millennial head

+4803


Submissions

3
Playin' In The Band
Sept. 10, 1983
Downs of Santa Fe

More sinister than seductively psychedelic. -> A fairly uptempo China Doll, forming one of my favorite ’83 combos.
3
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
June 19, 1989
Shoreline Amphitheatre

Just ferocious by the end of Rider, but there’s lots to enjoy all the way through this combo.
5
Ramble On Rose
Sept. 28, 1972
Stanley Theatre

Much like the Philly version a week earlier, this one really shines.
10
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Sept. 28, 1972
Stanley Theatre

Subtly experimental transition jam seems to hint at “Feelin’ Groovy” without stating the theme outright.
4
Greatest Story Ever Told
Sept. 26, 1972
Stanley Theatre

Just two days before one of the consensus favorites, this version is BLAZING.

Comments

China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Feb. 24, 1974
Winterland Arena

Glad to see that I already upvoted this one. This stands out even in the company of other ’73 - ’74 versions.
Cryptical Envelopment
June 7, 1970
Fillmore West

Whoa, this is nuts! Some serious Sonic Youth vibes in the last few minutes.
Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain
June 13, 1994
Memorial Stadium

Damn -- this is really, really good and would be listed higher if there were a SBD. (This Miller/Noel AUD is great, though!) If I were trying to find fault, I might say that parts of Fire plod along unremarkably ... but other parts cook and groove and shake and burn, and the Scarlet > transition jam is sharper and stronger than most '90s versions I can think of. Several '94-'95 versions have become quite popular on here, and I think this might be the best of all. Don't miss out on this show.
Eyes Of The World
Sept. 18, 1990
Madison Square Garden

Almost overwhelming in color and detail — there are a lot of notes — but it works. In fact, it bowls me over. Great Eyes.
Row Jimmy
Sept. 18, 1990
Madison Square Garden

This particular song may have benefited from the lushness of the Vince-plus-Bruce sound. I think it went through something of a renaissance in this period. This is a really strong version, and frankly both new keyboardists sound great.