headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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parrott56

millennial head

+4803


Submissions

4
Loser
Sept. 10, 1974
Alexandra Palace

Phil drops some serious bombs to complement Jerry’s ringing leads.
4
Pretty Peggy O
Aug. 24, 1980
Grand Center

Jerry’s solo is a fountain of melodic exuberance, reminiscent of the BEW earlier in the set.
4
Wharf Rat
Oct. 27, 1973
Indianapolis State Fair Coliseum

Worth switching to the AUD to hear the explosive ending after the SBD cuts out. Just awe-inspiring.
4
Drums -> Space
March 26, 1990
Knickerbocker Arena

Freaky electro Drums. In Space, listen for Bobby’s wild playing shortly before Jerry segues into Miracle.
12
Me and Bobby McGee
March 24, 1973
The Spectrum

Tight, energetic, heartfelt rendition of this era staple.

Comments

Dark Star
Oct. 9, 1989
Hampton Coliseum

Fortunately I love Space and MIDI Dead. :-) Don’t get me wrong, this is not as good as the best versions from ’69–’74, but it is HEAVY. A complete mindmelt. In context, the climax of one of the best pre-Drums sequences of the decade. I love it.
Stella Blue
Oct. 25, 1973
Dane County Coliseum

This version is just about perfect. Not a note out of place.
Playin' In The Band
April 22, 1977
The Spectrum

There’s a delicate midjam digression in D major with Keith on Moog. Totally unlike any other version I’ve heard. Amazing.
Caution
April 29, 1972
Musikhalle

Just devastating. Holy hell.
St. Stephen
March 20, 1977
Winterland Arena

“Some of the worst singing the Dead ever did”? You’ve got to be kidding me. There are some vocal performances from the ’60s and mid-’80s that would like to have a word with you. This is average singing from one of their better years vocally. Also, the noodling here is fairly substantive. All in all, an easy upvote, if not quite the absolute best post-hiatus version. (Check out 1/11/78!)